Product Overview
Standard Expanded Metal, also known as “raised” or “regular” expanded metal, has a die-cut raised surface at the perimeter of the diamond openings from the slitting and stretching production process. The resulting sheet has increased rigidity and a surface that is rough to the touch. This is ideal for industrial applications where sheet strength is important and public contact is limited.
Standard (Raised) Expanded Metal Details
1/4″ Diamond (SWD) Opening
Available in 18 or 20 gauge
Offered in carbon steel only
1/2″ Diamond (SWD) Opening
Available in 13, 16, 18 or 20 gauge
Offered in carbon steel, aluminum, or stainless steel
3/4″ Diamond (SWD) Opening
Available in 9, 10, 13, or 16 gauge
Offered in carbon steel, aluminum, or stainless steel
1-1/2″ Diamond (SWD) Opening
Available in 6, 9 , 13, or 16 gauge
Offered in carbon steel, aluminum, or stainless steel
Standard (Raised) Expanded Metal Sizes & Options
Expanded Metal Fabrication & Finishes
Fabrication
Our fabrication teams are highly trained and ready to shear, form, roll, frame, or otherwise customize any expanded metal order as specified by the customer. These services can be provided to a single sheet or turnkey projects depending on customer requirements. Engineering and layout services are also available.
Shearing
When shearing sheets of expanded metal, it is important to specify desired end margins, random sheared or bond sheared. Random shearing results in open diamonds that have exposed strands that are very sharp and should be protected with edging or framing. Bond sheared panels are sheared through the center of bonds resulting in closed diamonds at the panel’s edge.
Angle & Custom Framing
Angle Framing adds rigidity and a uniform, geometric look to the panel. Popular for infill panels, partitions, or equipment guards. Perimeter angles are available in a wide range of sizes, each offering alternative strengths and appearance.
In addition to angle framing and U-edging, our talented fabrication specialists have experience with a wide range of custom designed framing options. Nested flat bars, tube framing, and channel framing can be designed and fabricated to complement adjacent architecture.
U-Edging
U-Edging provides a uniform and attractive appearance to the panel. As the name implies, a formed “U”-shaped strip of metal is welded to the edge of a panel as specified by the order. Benefits of U-edging include a framed appearance and protection from sheared edges.
U-Edging is available from stock in 10′-0 or 12’-0 lengths of carbon steel, aluminum, or stainless steel. Alloy dependent, openings range from 1/16” to 1/2” with 1” overall width. Custom sizes are available on special order.
Stock carbon steel U-Edging includes:
- Part No. U-063-S, 1/16” opening
- Part No. U-125-S, 1/8” opening
- Part No. U-188-S, 3/16” opening
- Part No. U-250-S, 1/4” opening
- Part No. U-375-S, 3/8” opening
- Part No. U-500-S, 1/2” opening
Specifically designed to meet US Navy requirements for air intake screens, Airmesh Screening is 1/2” deep with 1/8” thick bars spaced 1-1/2” on center. With 87% open area, AirMesh Screening serves marine and general industrial applications where generous airflow and screening is important. Grating surfaces are sanded smooth for additional worker safety.
Standard colors are yellow, green, or dark gray.
Sheet size: 4’ x 8’
Weight per square foot: 0.8 lbs.
Materials & Finishes
All expanded metals are available in a variety of metals; carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. All products are lightly oiled during manufacture and stocked mill finish. If finish coatings will be applied, the metal should be cleaned prior to the application.
Carbon steel expanded metals can easily be painted or galvanized to enhance corrosion resistance. Aluminum products can be anodized, or epoxy coated. Stainless steel products can be electroplated to provide for a bright finish or abrasive blasted to provide a uniform matte finish.
Expanded Metal Terminology
Diamond: The open area formed by stands and bonds.
Strand: The single metal strip that forms the perimeter of the diamond.
Bond: The point where adjacent strands meet.
LWD: Long way of the diamond, the distance from the center of one bond to the center of the next bond across the longer opening of the diamond.
SWD: Short way of the diamond, the center-to-center distance between bonds across the narrow opening of the diamond.
LWO: Long way of the opening, the clear opening of the diamond in the long direction of the diamond.
SWO: Short way of the opening, the clear opening of the diamond across the short direction of the diamond.
Regular vs. Flattened Expanded Metal
Regular or Standard expanded metal is raised at the bonds of the diamond.
Flattened expanded metals has been passed through rollers and is smooth across each bond.
Pattern Orientation
Standard Flow: Pattern runs with the LWD running the length of the sheet and the SWD running across the width of the sheet.
Reverse Flow: Pattern runs with the LWD running across the width of the sheet and the SWD running the length of the sheet.
Shearing
Bond Shear: The expanded metal sheet is cut through the center of the bonds resulting in a closed diamond at the edge of the sheet.
Random Shear: The expanded metal sheet is cut through diamonds resulting in a partial diamonds at the sheet’s edge. The partial diamonds result in exposed strands that are very sharp and should be protected with U-Edging or framing.
How To Specify / Order Expanded Metal
MATERIAL: Indicate type of material desired (carbon steel, stainless steel, or aluminum).
STYLE NUMBER: Indicate style number (such as 3/4″-#9R) which will indicate the desired diamond size and sheet thickness.
SURFACE: Confirm desired surface, regular or flattened sheet.
QUANTITY & SIZE: Indicate quantity desired and piece sizes including SWD and LWD. Provide material list for cut-to-size pieces and sketches for irregular shapes. For sheared to size orders, review shearing options previously illustrated.
FABRICATION REQUIREMENTS: Indicate U-edging or other fabrication requirements.
FINISHING: Specify any special finish requirements (galvanizing, paint or anodizing).
Our product experts are available to help with any of these details to ensure you are selecting the right product for your project. Contact us.
