You probably see, use, or come into contact with expanded metal products daily without even realizing it. Raised, grated, or flattened expanded metal has found lots of uses in industrial settings and households across the world.
However, not all manufacturers of metal are quite the same. Considering that when you buy things like expanded metal sheets you expect them to last you for many years, it can be very disappointing to find yourself with some poor-quality products on your hands.
If you want a uniquely shaped expanded metal grating, you can take advantage of the customization option to create the perfect product for your needs.
If you have ever seen steel products with diamond-shaped openings usually used on cages, grates, or barriers, then you have a good idea of what expanded metal sheets look like.
Expanded metal is simply metal that has been cut and stretched with regular diamond-shaped openings. Mechanically opening up the sheet creates a larger surface area than the original sheet.
There are different types of expanded metal sheets, differentiated by gauge, size of the diamond-shaped openings, and type of materials used. These different types are made specifically for various industrial applications.
This type of metal is made from a flat sheet of what is normally steel. Using a specialized expansion process, the sheets can be expanded up to 10 times their original size, which is where the name expanded metal comes from.
By pulling the metal sheets in two different directions, they are stretched until the diamond-shaped openings are created on the smooth surface.
A powerful blade is then used to cut through the diamond shapes until the diamond-shaped mesh design you are familiar with is created.
Depending on the type of steel expanded and the expansion process, you can end up with one of five common types of expanded metal sheets, which are:
Although it is called standard expanded metal, this is actually the more expensive type of expanded metal product you can find. It is made by using a square grind in which the diamond patterns are cut out.
What makes standard expanded metal so expensive is the high strength-to-weight ratio it has while at the same time being quite corrosion resistant.
If you are looking for a cheaper option and do not mind compromising on the strength and durability of your products, you can try out the flattened expanded metal sheet.
The advantage of this type of sheet is that flattened expanded metal is much lighter and cheaper than most other types of steel in this category.
Those looking for the most economic industrial solution for adding more traction to floor grating need look no further than expanded metal grating.
The design of this type of floor grating is much thicker and has bigger gaps in the diamond pattern to increase drainage and air circulation while maintaining a slip-resistant surface.
The unique expansion process used to make ribbon expanded metal makes it a good option if you are looking for a product that is highly resistant to wear and tear.
Cutting the diamond pattern horizontally also gives the ribbon expanded metal a lot more stability than flattened expanded metal.
Last, but not least, is raised expanded metal. With this type of steel, expanded metal sheets are slit and stretched in a longitudinal direction which not only gives the sheets a lot of strength but improves their stability as well.
There are many other types of steel that can be used for similar applications to that of expanded metal sheets but it is their special characteristics that give them the edge.
It is only with expanded metal that you get the high strength-to-weight ratio that you do not get with, for example, wire mesh products.
When you use flattened expanded metal, the material does not need to be welded together and can be used as one continuous piece, which is great for minimizing creases that reduce the strength and stability of similar products.
The most common shape for the openings on expanded metal sheets is diamond, which is favored for its strength and resistance to deformation.
However, the versatility of the expansion process is such that you can create a flattened expanded metal sheet with circular or square shapes just as easily.
It is also easy to combine an expanded metal sheet with a wide range of different materials, and as a result, aluminum, carbon steel expanded metal, and stainless steel expanded metal are all quite common.
There are so many possibilities when it comes to expanded metal that the only limit is your imagination. These products can easily be used for the following:
The process of expanding metal actually increases its strength rather than weakens it and produces a much lighter product. This is the major advantage it has over plain sheet metal.
Also, if an anti-slip surface is what you are looking for, expanded metal is the far better option because it has knuckles that develop from the process of expansion and these add to the grip of the flattened expanded metal sheets.
Each particular application requires a specific type of finishing or treatment for your flattened expanded metal or another type of expanded metal sheet. Consider the following:
There are two types of mill-finished expanded metal you could choose from namely:
If you have a carbon steel expanded metal sheet, you will want to clean it with a solvent bath or acid and finish off with water
The best way to clean aluminum steel expanded metal is to use a non-etching chemical or detergent before rinsing and drying.
This is created by leveling the plane of the expanded metal sheet without flattening stands or bonds.
This is created when burrs and sharp edges/exposed edges are removed using a wire brush.
Coating the expanded metal with zinc using an electric current. It is great if you are looking for a weather-resistant coating.
This is a very protective zinc coating used when looks are not the biggest concern because the coating usually leaves a rough, uneven surface.
Anodized, Coated, Painted, or Plated expanded metal is also available if you are looking for a more specialized type of finish.
The amount of space you leave in your diamond patterns is important for determining how well the air will circulate. Small openings tend to be very restrictive in terms of airflow so make sure you choose very carefully when determining which size to go for.
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