Expanded metal, wire mesh, or sheet metal may be defined as a lightweight metal material that is manufactured by the simultaneous slitting and expanding of metal sheets through a die to achieve a wide range of apertures and thicknesses.
When deciding which metal material to use for applications such as partitions, racks, guards, etc., there are three types of metals commonly used: expanded metal, wire mesh, and sheet metal. They all differ in their properties, which makes some of them appropriate for specific applications and others unsuitable. The supply and demand of such systems will vary depending on the nature of the project and its particular needs. In addition, a brief over view of expanded metal, wire mesh and sheet metal is presented in this guide to assist whoever is making decisions.
What is Expanded Metal?
Expanded metal is made by cutting metal sheets into veins and then drawing them through the die to generate thickness and spacing. Depending on the application, strand thickness and opening size can be tailored to suit the requirements of a particular application.
Advantages of Expanded Metal
- Economical use – Sometimes, it can cost less than wire mesh or sheet metal based on a particular situation.
- Versatile – All the openings can be easily standardized in size and thickness of the material.
- Enhances visibility and air – The provision enables visibility through and air to pass through the material.
- Flexibility – It is less in weight than solid sheet metal.
- Disadvantages of Expanded Metal
- Aluminum is less rigid and less resistant than sheet metal.
- Sharp edges – Safety could be a concern if this product is used as a cutting tool and has not been further refined or smoothed.
Expanded metal is a standard product in the marketplace today, and it comes in a number of forms and sizes that are best suited for several purposes, as mentioned below:
– Enclosures and cages
– Machine guards
– Decorative partitions
– Shelving
– Walkways and catwalks
– Fencing
What is Wire mesh?
Wire mesh is a metal screen woven or welded of wires so that it is in the form of a grid and has the same openings. There are several materials that are used in the wire mesh, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and many others. Depending on the process of production, it can be categorized into two broad categories:
- Welded wire mesh
- Woven wire mesh
Welded Wire Mesh
Welded wire mesh is designed to bond the wires at all the joints where the two wires cross one another. The joining is by heat or pressure on the cables to melt them as they join to form the weld.
Characteristics
– The structure can be uniform and rigid.
– It is offered in the standard rolls and sheets.
– Flexibility in the range of openings possible
– As a form of material, economical compared to woven mesh
Welded mesh costs less compared to weaved mesh since fabrication of the latter involves intricate and time-consuming process. This can be easily fabricated in significant quantities using mechanical means and tools. Due to this, it is ideal to be used for such purposes as fences, partitions, and grills among other applications. However, where close tolerance or cut-off requirement in terms of aperture size is necessary, woven mesh is more appropriate.
Woven Wire Mesh
Woven wire mesh is made from wires that are woven and arranged in an over-under fashion and are crimped at the joint points. The weaving helps make the mesh flexible while at the same time having some rigidity or stability to hold the shape of the appliance.
Characteristics
– Stretchable and breathable material that can be molded into a structure.
– The combination of various opening sizes
– More commonly, these products come in rolls, sheets or can be cut into specific panels.
– Does not rust, melt or burn, according to material type
The features of woven mesh are the ability to regulate the opening sizes and density as it is being woven, making it suitable for screening, filtering and shielding. It is slightly more costly than the welded mesh. Still, it has more uniform spacing between the apertures and is more durable for the rigorous industrial usage.
Key factors that define the decision of whether to use welded wire mesh or the woven wire mesh include its use, cost as well as the volume of production. Each excels in specific domains and has drawbacks. This should help to make a correct choice of any type for one or another application, knowing its characteristics and the methods of its production.
What is Sheet Metal?
Sheet metals can be defined as metals that have been created in flat, thin gauges other than wire or structural forms. Some of the most familiar materials that are used in making sheet metal are aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, and titanium, among others. The sheet metal can be easily molded into different designs involving cutting and bending them in a certain way.
Advantages of Sheet Metal
– The structure of the building is solid and has excellent stamina.
– For this purpose, several options, like galvanizing the steel and using stainless steel, are used when constructing the structures to enhance their resistance to both weather and corrosion.
– Maybe it can be used for complicated products that require specific customizations.
– It comes in a variety of surfaces to suit the specific needs of the materials that it will be used on.
Disadvantages of Sheet Metal
– It costs more material than wire or expanded metal due to its thickness and the complex nature of its texture.
– It is heavier than other kinds of products on the market.
– Comparatively, it has restricted visibility compared to such open materials.
Sheet metals are versatile materials for a variety of applications and use in industries due to the following reasons.
– Manufacturing of control panels, cabinets, and casing
– Siding and roofing
– Custom signs
– Decorative metalwork
– All the applications that require high durability and can withstand any weather conditions.
Key Differences and Considerations
The effectiveness of using expanded metal, wire mesh, and sheet metal depends on different factors such as strength requirements, security, visibility, weight, cost, and compatibility with the intended use. Sheet metal is better and most reliable because it can withstand more force and is less likely to bend or break but it is also heavier and can be more costly. Wire mesh has a slightly lesser density than the other two but is equally strong as wire cloth, and expanded metal is the least dense with high visibility. When assessing which type is the best match for a particular scenario, consider the strengths of each.
