Expanded Metal

What is Expanded Metal? How is Expanded Metal Made?

Do you know what expanded metal is? There are many different steel products you can buy and expanded metal is one of them. This metal has many different uses and applications.

You make expanded metal from coils or sheets of solid metal which are stretch and slit with each stroke of the upper die. This process creates a pattern that’s in a diamond shape. The pattern is either called standard or regular. The pattern that’s made varies by the type of material and gauge of the material as well as its size. Some of the metal sheets are flattened by rollers.

Expanded metal is lightweight and open so it can easily be formed into many energy savings applications such as screens, diffusers, filters, grilles, and other steel products. The metal is also quite strong so you can make fixtures, guards, and panels out of expanded metal.  Wasatch Steel is one company that makes expanded metal products.

Some Uses for Expanded Metal

·         Security fencing

·         Architectural fencing

·         Air intake screens

·         Windows, door & skylight guards

·         Cab/truck dividers

·         Interior partitions & barriers

·         Security mesh

·         Concrete reinforcement

·         Light diffusers

·         Drive & sidewalk gates

·         Machine guards

These are just a few of the steel products that use expanded metal there are many more products that are made with this type of metal. One product made with expanded metal is grating. This type of grating is perfect when you need something that’s strong, lightweight, and durable. It’s used by engineers to make catwalks, platforms, stairs, truck can safety screens, and heavy duty shelving among other things. This expanded metal product allows for water, snow and oils to drain off easily so expanded metal is used for these surfaces for security and stability when you stand on them.

In Building construction expanded metal is used because it:

·         Reduces energy use

·         Minimizes internal pollution and damage to health.

·         Reduces external pollution and environmental damage

·         Reduces embodied energy and resource depletion.

 

 

It’s clear to see that expanded metal has many applications in building and its common steel that is used. This steel adds rigidity and strength and distributes the load to the frames supporting it. There are no welds or joints so it helps distribute the weight and load over a wider area so the structure is more stable. Expandable metal is quite strong so it’s used in many industrial applications. Because there are no welds or strands there’s less deterioration from movement or exposure. Wasatch Steel is one company that has many expanded steel products. The steel also has a good anti-slip surface and the air can pass through it while still ensuring good protection and stability in the steel.

If you are looking for expanded steel products consider visiting Wasatch Steel. Not only do they have expanded metal but they have many other steel products as well.