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Direct Metals® is an expanded metal supplier of versatile and economical expanded metal that is made from a high-quality metal sheet. Our expanded metal sheet is available in many sizes, openings, and material types, making us the best place to buy expanded metal. Direct Metals® offers expanded metal materials such as aluminum expanded metal, carbon steel expanded metal, galvanized steel expanded metal or stainless steel expanded metal. Expanded metal is a metal sheet that is uniformly slit and stretched, forming diamond-shaped openings in the sheet that allow for light, air, heat, and sound passage. The strands and bonds of the diamonds in the sheet add strength and rigidity. Since no metal is lost in the expanding process, expanded metal is a cost-effective alternative to perforated metal.
Specification Sheets
Complete Expanded Metal Section of Our Product Catalog
Perforated/Expanded Metal Catalog
Standard Expanded Metal
Standard expanded metal is an extremely versatile and economical product. This expanded metal is offered in your choice of material, gauge, and opening size. Standard expanded metal sheets are ideal when a raised, slip resistant surface is needed. It is available in carbon steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, and aluminum expanded metal.
Flattened Expanded Metal
Flattened expanded metal is rolled through a machine that flattens the metal after the expansion process. This expanded metal is the best choice for when a smooth surface is desired. Direct Metals® stocks flattened expanded metal in a wide variety of metal materials, thicknesses and opening sizes. It is available in carbon steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, and aluminum expanded metal.
Architectural Expanded Metal
Architectural expanded metal is an economical choice that can be adapted for use in just about any architectural metal project. Direct Metals® stocks architectural expanded metal in aluminum expanded metal, carbon steel expanded metal, and stainless expanded metal. We also offer a variety of sizes, weights, and finishes in flattened or standard styles.
Micro Expanded Metal
Micro expanded metal is suitable for use in filters, as well as several other applications. It features small openings in a lighter gauge of metal. Micro expanded metal sheet is available in standard, flattened, and hexagonal patterns. It is available in carbon steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, and aluminum expanded metal.
Expanded Metal Grating
Expanded metal grating is a strong and economical product used in a variety of industrial, commercial, architectural, and drainage applications. Our expanded metal gratings are used for bridge walkways, water treatment plants, industrial plant applications, heavy duty fence and barrier construction, utility and other trailer manufacturing. This expanded metal can be made into economical screening, fire escapes, stair treads, mezzanines, ramps, and walkways, as well as oil and gas platforms.
Custom Fabricated Expanded Metal
Custom fabricated expanded metal is stocked in various patterns and can be custom fabricated to unique shapes and sizes. Some of these metal shapes include a circle, rectangle, and oblong. Materials that can be fabricated include carbon steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, and aluminum expanded metal.
U-Edging
U-Edging is an expanded metal product accessory that is a u-shaped strip attached to the edge of a expanded metal sheet to make the edges more attractive and safer. It is available in carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and galvanized steel.
Expanded Metal FAQs
Q: What types of materials are made into expanded metal sheet?
A: There are many types of materials that can be made into expanded metal sheet. Aluminum expanded metal, carbon steel, galvanized steel, nickel, silver, copper, and stainless expanded metal sheets are available.
Q: Why is the percentage of open area important for expanded metal sheet?
A: The percentage of open area determines the amount of space available for the passage of air, water, and light through the expanded metal sheet. This information is important for engineers to know based on the end application for which the sheet is used.
Q: What are common applications for expanded metal?
A: Expanded metal is extremely diverse. One example of a common application is security mesh for the protection of industrial machinery and electrical equipment, or unwanted access to restricted areas. Some other applications for this include railing mesh, fences, vents, and shelves. Heavy carbon steel expanded metal can be used as stair treads for oil tanks, working platforms, corridors and walkways. It is also used in the construction of roads, bridges, railways, ramps, and steel flooring.
Q: Why is expanded metal commonly used?
A: The many small openings in the expanded metal material allow flow through of air, water, and light, while still providing a mechanical barrier to larger objects. Another advantage to using expanded metal as opposed to plain sheet metal is that the exposed edges of the expanded metal provide more traction, which has led to its use in catwalks or drainage covers.
Q: What do SWD and LWD mean in reference to expanded metal sheet?
A: SWD stands for Short Way of the Diamond and LWD stands for Long Way of the Diamond. These acronyms are used when ordering expanded metal sheet.
Q: What is your pricing for expanded metal?
A: As an expanded metal supplier, Direct Metals® is the best place to buy expanded metal. We offer an expansive inventory of expanded metal products, each with different pattern options, material types, and finishes. Therefore, it is best to call our sales department for pricing information. Our Direct Metals® team members are experts in our expanded metal inventory and can provide you with product recommendations.
