Ultimate Guide to Dexmet Expanded Metals for Engineers - PPG

Author: Clarissa

May. 26, 2025

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Ultimate Guide to Dexmet Expanded Metals for Engineers - PPG

Expanded material can be produced thinner than any other open area materials in the industry, making it the best solution for lightweight applications. The unique “slit & stretch” expansion process produces zero scrap and can achieve open areas up to 95% with very small, accurate, openings.  In addition, the expansion process yields more material output than input, thus making it a very cost effective process.

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Perforated material is better suited for applications requiring less than 40% open area.  The process yields far more scrap than expanding because scrap is directly related to the amount of open area. The tooling is also more complex and costly to produce with higher rebuild costs making this process far more expensive.

Wire mesh and other woven products tend to be stronger than expanded materials but are limited on how thin they can be produced because of the over under aspect of the weaving process.  Openings are inconsistent due to moving strands making it a poor choice for applications that require controlled openings. Woven material also has a tendency to fray or unravel during secondary processing making it difficult to cut patterns or shapes.

Different specifications Because different industries and applications have different requirements to meet, we work with you to create the best possible solution and won’t stop until you’re more than satisfied with the performance.

Quality - Not only does our team work with you to establish the perfect solution, but we create and refine the machinery with intense precision to produce a high quality, repeatable product and test our products to ensure they perform at the peak of performance.

Thickness - Our expanded material outperforms the competition because our in-house proprietary expansion equipment allows us to produce materials with thicknesses down to 25 micron with apertures down to 100 micron.

What is appropriate for the environment of the application?Some materials will need to prevent corrosion, others to disperse electrical currents, and some to screen and filter materials. Our team will work with yours to develop an application specific solutions to ensure top performance of our expanded materials in any environment.

Ten years ago, materials could be made as thin as 50 microns and as wide as 12 inches. Now, metals can be expanded down to 30 micron at 48 inches wide. Dexmet has even produced expanded materials down to thicknesses between 18 and 25 microns thin.

We shear and stretch foil and film gauge materials into consistent diamond shaped patterns, forming open area material with apertures down to 100 microns that can be made to be lighter-weight and thinner than the competition. The ability to control the tool geometry, feed rate, and depth of penetration into the material provides the ability for materials to be fine-tuned through infinite variables.

Long way of the diamond (LWD) – Measured from the center of one node to the center of the adjacent node, the LWD is always parallel to the width of the coil and corresponds with the diamond dimension.

Short way of the diamond (SWD) – Measured from the center of the node to the center of the node, the SWD is perpendicular to the width of the coil. For each fixed LWD dimension there is a SWD range.

Strand width – The amount of metal slit from the parent metal in forming the mesh. The strand thickness is directly proportional to the machine feed rate.

Measure one inch and count the number of meshes (or openings – between two nodes) along the SWD direction. We generally refer to MPI in the SWD direction and not the LWD direction. See Standard Product Range for the mean MPI count for each Mesh Designation.

This will let us know how to staff your project and prioritize it accordingly. 

This not only informs the type of material needed but enables us to alot time for appropriate testing.

When you have the application needs AND your company needs identified and ready to be discussed, you’ll ensure alignment between you and Dexmet right out of the gate and gain these benefits:

We work with you and your engineering/manufacturing team to determine the best expanded material solution for your application to ensure the best end result every time. We aim to exceed expectations.

Next we identify which tool should be used for this project, or create one according to the parameters. The shape, form, and number of openings are dictated by the particular tool die geometry used.

Then we start the “slit and stretch” expansion process. A precision die shears the material as it penetrates the solid foil and stretches the material to the geometry of the tool in a single operation. The tool lifts and indexes over the distance dictated by the LWD and penetrates the material again. Each stroke of the machine produces half a diamond.

Not all tests are done on every material produced– only the tests for the particular needs of that application and according to industry requirements.

Your Dexmet team will guide you through the necessary tests and results planned for your products.

Our testing plan, done before the application goes into production, ensures a quality expanded material product is replicated time and time again.

Sample materials are generated based on the criteria provide.  Once tested, we’ll follow up to make sure it exceeds your expectations. If not, we’ll continue to work with you and provide more samples until you are completely satisfied with the results.

Expanded materials are not always right solution for every application, but our unique manufacturing process combined with an expert team of engineers will help ensure that every solution we provide will allow you to be both on-time and on-budget, while receiving a top Dexmet product.

Ultimate Guide to Expanded Metal Mesh: Applications, Uses & More

Expanded metal mesh, a versatile and durable material, has found widespread applications across various industries. Its unique properties, including strength, flexibility, and open-mesh structure, make it an ideal choice for a wide range of applications. 

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the different types of expanded metal mesh, explore its diverse uses, and discuss the installation techniques involved.

Types of Expanded Metal Mesh

Expanded metal mesh is available in various configurations, each offering distinct characteristics and advantages:

Standard (Raised) Diamond Expanded Metal Mesh

Standard expanded metal is a versatile option with a wide range of sizes and weights. It's produced by cutting and stretching solid metal into a diamond pattern, which enhances airflow while preserving the material's strength and durability. Diamond expanded metal mesh features a distinctive diamond-shaped pattern, providing excellent ventilation and drainage properties. Its open structure allows for airflow and fluid passage, making it ideal for applications such as filtration systems, architectural facades, and safety fencing. If you're unsure which type of expanded metal to choose, standard expanded metal is a reliable starting point.

Flattened Expanded Metal Mesh

Flattened expanded metal grating is produced by passing standard expanded metal through a cold rolling process, which compresses the raised bonds and reduces its thickness and weight to create a smooth, flat surface. Applications of flattened expanded metal include flooring, speaker grilles, or machine guards.

Heavy Duty Expanded Metal Mesh Grating

Expanded metal grating is a robust solution for heavy-duty applications. Constructed from low carbon steel plates, it offers exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for walkways, stairs, platforms, and other pedestrian areas. Its natural slip-resistant surface and open design of expanded metal gratings provide excellent fire protection and prevent the buildup of dirt, water, grease, and other debris.

Micro Expanded Metal Mesh

Micro expanded metal is a highly specialised form of expanded metal characterised by its exceptionally small and precise perforations. This unique feature makes it ideal for applications that require fine filtration, such as industrial filtration and food and beverage processing.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of expanded metal supplier. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

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Expanded Metal Mesh Applications

The versatility of expanded metal mesh has led to its adoption in numerous industries:

Architectural Applications

  • Facades and cladding: Expanded metal mesh can be used as a decorative element in building facades and cladding, adding visual interest and enhancing ventilation.

  • Interior design elements: The metal mesh’s versatility allows for its incorporation into various interior design elements, such as partitions, screens, and ceilings.

  • Stair treads and railings: Expanded metal mesh can be used to create unique and durable stair treads and railings, adding a modern touch to architectural designs.

  • Sunshades and screens: The metal mesh’s open structure provides shade and protection from the sun, while allowing for airflow and natural light.

  • Decorative accents: Expanded metal mesh can be used to create decorative accents, such as sculptures, art installations, and architectural features.

Construction and Infrastructure

  • Fencing and security barriers: The metal mesh’s strength and durability make it ideal for constructing fences, security barriers, and perimeter protection systems.

  • Safety nets and fall protection: Expanded metal mesh is used to create safety nets, fall protection systems, and guardrails, safeguarding workers and preventing accidents.

  • Bridge decking and walkways: The metal mesh’s open structure provides excellent drainage, preventing water accumulation and ensuring safe passage.

Industrial Applications

  • Machinery components: Expanded metal mesh is used to fabricate machine parts, such as conveyor belts, screens, and filters, due to its strength, durability, and resistance to abrasion.

  • Filtration systems: The metal mesh’s open structure allows for effective filtration of liquids and gases, making it a valuable component in various filtration systems.

  • Material handling equipment: Expanded metal mesh is used in material handling equipment, such as hoppers, chutes, and bins, to facilitate the flow of materials.

  • Conveyor belts: The metal mesh’s strength and abrasion resistance make it a suitable material for conveyor belts, ensuring efficient and reliable material transport.

  • Safety guards: Expanded metal mesh is used to create safety guards and enclosures, protecting workers from hazardous machinery and equipment.

Galvanised Expanded Metal Mesh

Galvanised expanded metal mesh is a popular choice due to its enhanced corrosion resistance and durability. The galvanisation process involves coating the metal with a layer of zinc, which acts as a protective barrier against rust and other forms of corrosion.

Advantages of Galvanised Expanded Metal Mesh

Corrosion Resistance

The zinc coating provides excellent protection against rust and other forms of corrosion, making galvanised expanded metal mesh suitable for outdoor applications and environments with harsh conditions.

Durability

The zinc layer enhances the durability of the mesh, ensuring its long-term performance and resistance to wear and tear.

Long Lifespan

Galvanised expanded metal mesh has a longer lifespan compared to untreated metal mesh, reducing the need for frequent replacement and maintenance.

Common Applications of Galvanised Expanded Metal Mesh

  • Outdoor fencing and security barriers: Galvanised expanded metal mesh is widely used in outdoor fencing and security barriers due to its durability and resistance to corrosion.

  • Agricultural applications: Its corrosion resistance makes it suitable for agricultural applications, such as livestock enclosures and poultry netting.

  • Industrial equipment: Galvanised expanded metal mesh is used in various industrial equipment, including machinery components and filtration systems.

  • Marine structures: Its resistance to corrosion makes it suitable for marine structures, such as docks, piers, and boat ramps.

  • Infrastructure projects: Galvanised expanded metal mesh is used in infrastructure projects, such as bridges, roads, and tunnels, to enhance durability and longevity.

Installation Techniques

Proper installation is essential to ensure the optimal performance and longevity of expanded metal mesh. The following steps outline the general installation process:

Measure and Cut

Measure the required dimensions of the expanded metal mesh and cut it to size using appropriate tools, such as shears or a circular saw.

Prepare the Surface

Ensure the surface to which the expanded metal mesh will be attached is clean and free from any obstructions.

Fastening

Use appropriate fasteners, such as screws, bolts, or rivets, to secure the expanded metal mesh to the desired structure. The specific method will depend on the application and the type of structure involved.

Safety Considerations

Always prioritise safety during installation. Wear appropriate protective gear, such as gloves and safety glasses, and follow safety guidelines.

Supply Bay: Your Trusted Partner for Expanded Metal Mesh

In conclusion, expanded metal mesh offers a versatile and durable solution for a wide range of applications. Its unique properties, including strength, flexibility, and open-mesh structure, make it an ideal choice for construction, industrial, architectural, and agricultural sectors. By understanding the different types of expanded metal mesh, exploring its diverse uses, and following proper installation techniques, you can effectively utilise this material to meet your specific needs.

Supply Bay is a trusted supplier of high-quality expanded metal mesh products. With our expertise and commitment to customer satisfaction, we offer a wide range of expanded metal mesh options to suit your project requirements. Whether you need standard (raised) expanded metal mesh, flattened expanded metal mesh, heavy duty expanded metal mesh gratings, micro expanded metal mesh, or galvanised mesh, we have the products you need. 

Contact us today to learn more about our expanded metal mesh offerings and how we can assist you with your project.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit perforated metal supplier.

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