Expanded Metal – Carbon Steel

Regular expanded metal is steel sheet that has been slit then stretched to create a diamond lattice pattern. The intersections of the diamonds add structural strength and rigidity to the material without adding weight, and the lattice pattern provides the material an anti-slip property. The material’s sturdy but light nature makes it ideal for raised walkways, but its versatility gives it many uses.

Flattened expanded metal is regular expanded metal passed through a cold-roll reducing mill. The milling process flattens the sheet by turning the strands and bonds down, thereby reducing the material’s thickness. This elongates the material by approximately 5%, leaving it 5% lighter than an equivalent length of regular expanded metal. This leaves it a more nimble and agile product that still retains its strength and durability.

Expanded metal grating is produced from heavier gauge low-carbon steel plates and is structurally stronger than regular expanded metal. Grating has greater load-bearing properties and can withstand more extreme weights.

The uses of all three forms of expanded metal overlap considerably. Flattened expanded metal, the lightest of the three, is great for walls, fences and partitions. It’s also suitable for household applications, such as patio furniture. It’s ventilation and lighter weight make it effective for grilles and vents. Regular expanded metal and grating are perfect for pedestrian and transportation applications, such as walkways, factory and construction rigging floor, steps, and much more.

The specifications listed below will help you understand the expanded metal’s measurements:

Style of regular and flattened expanded metal is the gauge or thickness of the metal from which the expanded metal was made.

Style of expanded metal grating is the weight in pounds per square foot.

Strands are individual slit metal strips, or the sides of a diamond opening.

Bonds are the intersections of two strands, which are always the measure of both strands’ widths.

SWD, or Short Way of Design, is the distance between a point on a bond to a corresponding point on either nearest bond across the shorter dimension of the opening.

LWD, or Long Way of Design, is the distance between a point on a bond to a corresponding point on either nearest bond across the longer dimension of the opening.

SWO, or Short Way of Opening, is the distance measured from the inside of a bond to the inside of either nearest bond across the shorter dimension of the opening.

LWO, or Long Way of Opening, is the distance measured from the inside of a bond to the inside of either nearest bond across the longer dimension of the opening.

At Texas Iron and Metal, we offer a variety of regular and flattened expanded metal ranging in style from 1/4 inch to 1 1/2 inch in thickness. We offer expanded metal grating ranging in style from 3 to 7 pounds per square foot. When ordering expanded metals, keep in mind that increased pattern size, or greater SWD x greater LWD, increases open area and improves cost effectiveness. The material’s strand width affects the material’s weight and appearance.

Expanded metal is extremely versatile, and Texas Iron and Metal wants you to be certain which measurements will match your needs. Our knowledgeable and experienced sales associates are always ready to help. Give us a call at 713.672.7595 or stop by our Texas Iron and Metal stockyard in Houston to find what you need today.

Regular Expanded Metal – Carbon Steel – ASTM A569/569 M

Flattened Expanded Metal – Carbon Steel – ASTM A569/569 M

Expanded Metal Grating – Carbon Steel – ASTM A569/569 M