Expanded metal

Expanded metalalso known as expanded metal mesh or expanded metal, are made from a single sheet of metal that is formed into a grid-like shape through staggered cuts and simultaneous stretching of the material.

For example, rhombic, square, hexagonal or round meshes can be produced. The special thing about this process is that there is no material waste, which is why Expanded metal is very sustainable and saves resources.

Expanded metal are made of various metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, steel, galvanized and other alloys to meet the specific requirements of different industries.

Its characteristic structure not only offers outstanding strength and durability, but also enables good ventilation and light transmission. Expanded metal also impresses with its aesthetic shapes. These properties make expanded metal mesh a popular Material, which is used in filter and ventilation systems, in security systems and also for decorative purposes. 

Expanded metal are used in a wide range of areas and sectors, from industry and architecture to security. Here is an overview of the many possible applications:

Industry:

• Safety covers for machines
• Partition walls in production halls
• Ventilation grilles in air conditioning systems

Construction:

• Façade elements for buildings
• Load-bearing elements in ceiling constructions
• Reinforcing grid in concrete elements

Architecture & Garden:

• Design elements in interior and exterior architecture
• Sun protection grille
• Decorative room dividers
• Garden fences
• Trellis

Security technology:

• Fencing around industrial plants and machinery
• Security doors and window grilles
• Protective grilles for stairs and balconies

Agriculture:

• Grids for animal enclosures and stables
• Components for agricultural machinery
• Protective grids for plants and trees

Expanded metal offer a wealth of benefits that make them attractive for a wide range of industrial and design applications.

You want to buy Expanded metal ? See the advantages for yourself:

• High strength: During the manufacturing process, the Material is stretched, giving it enormous stability combined with low weight. Expanded metal can therefore withstand heavy loads.
• Sustainability: The production of expanded metal mesh produces hardly any waste and no Material is wasted. This makes them a particularly resource-saving product.
• Durability: Because expanded metal is made from a single piece of metal, there are no welded seams or joints that can become brittle over time.
• Cost-saving: Due to its durability and low material waste, Expanded metal is extremely cost-saving.
• Corrosion resistance: Expanded metal is highly resistant to corrosion and can even be used in adverse weather conditions. This makes it ideal for use outdoors or in coastal areas.
• Versatility: Expanded metal is available in numerous different mesh shapes and dimensions, so there are almost endless application possibilities.
• Flexibility: Expanded metal mesh is flexible and can be easily formed into a specific size or shape and is characterized by optimal further processing options.
• Good conductivity: Expanded metal has excellent properties as a conductor of electricity.
• Aesthetics: The different mesh types create attractive and aesthetic shapes such as rhombus meshes.
• Permeability: Expanded metal enable excellent air and light permeability and are therefore ideal for ventilation systems or sun protection. At the same time, small mesh sizes enable the filtering and retention of Material.
• Safety: Despite their permeability, Expanded metal offer a high level of safety and protection, making them an ideal choice for barriers, fences and barriers.

Expanded metal are mainly made of steel, stainless steel and aluminum. Depending on the intended use, they can then be further processed by hot-dip galvanizing, for example.

• Expanded metal Stainless steel: Due to its corrosion resistance, good workability and durability, stainless steel is ideal for grilles used outdoors or in damp environments. Commonly used types are stainless steel 1.4301, stainless steel 1.4541 and stainless steel 1.4571.
• Expanded metal Steel: Steel, often kept bright, is characterized above all by its high strength and is about 1/3 cheaper than stainless steel. This is why steel grating is often used in the construction industry. Hot-dip galvanized steel is also more resistant to corrosion than untreated steel.
• Expanded metal galvanized: A distinction is made here between pre-galvanized for indoor use and subsequently hot-dip galvanized for outdoor use.
• Expanded metal Aluminum: Aluminum, often used as pure aluminum (AL 99.5), is considered to be corrosion-resistant, easy to form and lightweight. It also has good temperature resistance. Expanded metal mesh made of aluminum is particularly suitable for lightweight constructions.

The production of expanded metal mesh begins with metal sheets, usually made of steel, galvanized, stainless steel or aluminium, in thicknesses of 0.5 to 7.0 mm. In the first step, the sheet metal is processed with special cutting tools that make trapezoidal cuts in diamond meshes, for example. These cuts are designed in such a way that the sheet metal is not completely severed between the cuts, but remains expandable.

During the cutting process, the sheet is simultaneously stretched, which leads to an expansion of the cut areas. This process increases the length and therefore also the surface area of the original sheet by a factor of two to twelve, without any loss of material as, unlike perforated sheet production, no waste is produced. The sheet width remains approximately the same.

The process is precisely controlled to create a uniform mesh structure. After the initial cuts, the edges of the sheet are treated to correct distortions and ensure consistent quality across the entire sheet surface. This method enables efficient production of expanded metal with minimal material waste and high material utilization.