Expanded Stainless Steel Sheet And Metal Mesh

Expanded stainless steel sheet is made from a flat and thin stainless steel, and it is processed with slitting and stretching to create numerous expanded opening holes with regular diamond shape, such a product looks like a mesh, so it’s also known as expanded stainless steel mesh or expanded metal mesh. In addition to stainless steel, there are some other metals available for expanded sheet, such as carbon steel, aluminium, copper, and so on. As expanded metal sheet is formed with a whole piece of metal without joints and scraps of metal, it can save cost on material and labor during production. With an expanded mesh structure, an expanded metal sheet comes with enhanced strength & tensility, which make it an ideal material for a wide range of applications such as security fencing, window & stair screens, facades, gratings, and facility guards, etc.

Color & Finish Options Of Expanded Metal Sheet

Expanded stainless steel sheet is generally finished with its natural metallic color. However, different surface finishes and colors can present different styles and effects to match different needs and requirements. Our expanded metal sheets are in an extensive range of color options, which are processed with different finishing methods, and they can create a visual impact in your interior or exterior space to make people impressed. All these appealing elements can improve your space with appealing aesthetics. In addition to the decorative purpose, the finishing material can be a protective layer to help improve its resistance to wear and corrosion.

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With regard to the surface treatments for expanded metal sheets, there are 2 common process methods that are excellent for aluminum, including powder coating and anodizing. Each of them has its own properties to achieve different effects. Below is some brief information about these finishing methods for consumers to choose a suitable one to meet their desired styles.

Anodized Finish

Anodized finish is a processing combination of electrolytic & chemical, it can help process the metal surface with a layer of natural oxide layer, which can make the appearance with decorative effect, and improve its resistance to corrosion and oxidation. Aluminium is the most proper substrate for anodizing, anodizing process can perfectly generate a tough protective layer of aluminium oxide on the surface, unlike other finishing types such as plating or painting, it’s not easy to peel and chip.

Benefits

The anodizing layer on the surface is resistant to severe weather.
The anodizing material is durable and tough, and not easy to wear and peal off.
When the anodizing is being processed, some elements can be added in to give it more colors available.
The anodizing layer can be the under layer for the surface enhancement.

Powder Coated Finish

Powder coated finish is processed with a dry finishing process that are commonly used for metal surface treatment. When a low electric current is running through the sheet metal, the powdered polymer coating is sprayed on the metal surface, the coating material forms a bond when it come through an electrostatic process, then quickly cured with heat to be a hard and colored layer. Powder coating provides many functional properties and rich color options for aesthetic effects.

Benefits

The color and appearance of powder coating can be retained originally for long time.
The layer of powder coating is much thicker than other traditional paintings, and it’s more tough and evenly distributed.
Materials for powder coating are environmentally-friendly as it releases nearly no volatile organic compounds into the air.
A wide variety of color options are available to help metal achieve stunning and eye-catching appearance.

Notes: powder coated finish doesn’t suit all types of metals.

Specifications Of Expanded Stainless Steel Sheet

Standard:	JIS, AiSi, ASTM, GB, DIN, EN.
Thickness:	0.3 mm – 3.0 mm.
Width:	1000mm, 1219mm, 1250mm, 1500mm, Customized.
Length:	2000mm, 2438mm, 2500mm, 3000mm, 3048mm, Customized.
Tolerance:	±1%.
SS Grade:	Stainless Steel: 304, 316, 201, 430, etc. or Aluminium

Technique:	Cold Rolled.
Finish:	Anodized, Powder Coated, Sandblasted, etc.
Colors:	Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, Champagne, Copper, Black, Blue.
Edge:	Mill, Slit.
Applications:	Security Screens, Facade, Partitions, Ceilings, Fencings,
Packing:	PVC + Waterproof Paper + Wooden Package.

Applications For Expanded Metal Mesh

The shape of the opening hole is commonly diamond shape on expanded metal mesh, as such a structure can enhance its durability and resistance to mechanical deformation, and it’s excellent to resist impact, as the method of absorbing energy is spreading it throughout the expanded metal mesh. This type of metal sheet has the property to meet the purpose of security and protection, so it’s widely used for various applications such as window security mesh, warehouse fences, walkway screens, cladding, ceilings, and gratings, flooring, and so on. In addition to so many practical utilities, expanded metal mesh is also a cost-effective solution for decoration.

Though expanded stainless steel mesh is durable and tough, it comes at a lightweight and low cost. Its small opening holes allow the air to pass through, making it ideal for some spaces that require both ventilation and security. Expanded metal is especially ductile metal mesh for numerous applications, it can be used as drainage covers and flooring panels for walkways has it has a high strength to withstand heavy weight, and its mesh surface can prevent people from slipping and falling down.

Options For Decorative Stainless Steel Sheet

In addition to expanded stainless steel sheets, there is a wide range of decorative stainless steel sheets for your options. All of them can bring you added value, such as aesthetic appearance, corrosion resistance, durability, and more. But different options of surface finishes provide different properties, performances, and processing costs, so it’s so critical to consider your specific needs when choosing the suitable surface finishes for your stainless steel sheet.

For corrosion resistance and durable purposes, the decorative stainless steel sheet would be better than other material types. It’s not only suitable for a variety of architectural purposes but also can be customized according to the customer’s specified requirements. The patterns of the embossing or opening hole in decorative sheet metal & plate are fabricated by the process type and the shape of the mold. As a custom-made metal fabricator, TBK metal provides various surface finishing services that are suitable for different metal types, including stainless steel, aluminum, copper, galvanized steel, and so on.

What Is Expanded Stainless Steel Mesh?

Expanded stainless steel mesh is produced from a solid stainless steel sheet, which is processed by applying to cut and stretching processes to form numerous opening holes with a regular diamond shape. The stainless steel sheet is stretched out to make it like a wire mesh. Other types of metals are also suitable for making expanded mesh, such as carbon steel, aluminum, copper, etc. A large mesh can be formed by expanding a small piece of the metal sheet without wasted material, and its lightweight property allows easy transportation and installation, all these make cost-effective and eco-friendly solutions for any application.

The size of the opening hole determines the amount of space for the airflow and light transmittance. The ratio can be regulated according to the mesh size. Expanded stainless steel mesh comes with so many practical properties and benefits, which make it versatile to meet various different applications. Stainless steel mesh is very durable and tough to ensure safety and security when it’s being used as a dividing screen to enclose a space. Additionally, it can keep the interior space ventilated and illuminated by natural light.

Material Options For Expanded Stainless Steel Sheet Metal

There are 2 grades of stainless steel sheets that are commonly used for expanded process, and they are generally defined according to their proportion of alloying composition. They all have common features such as durability and resistance to rust, corrosion, and stain. However, there are still a few slightly different properties between these grades. There are two common grades of stainless steel sheets (304 and 316L) that we commonly used for mirror polished finish as below:

304 Stainless Steel Sheet

Grade 304 is the most widely used type of stainless steel sheet metal that we usually find in various commercial applications, 304 stainless steel sheet has resistance to rust and corrosion, and it’s a fire-proof and heat-resistance material as it comes with a high melting point, and the surface finished with mirror finish is easy to clean and requires low maintenance. 304 stainless steel with a polished surface is a versatile type of material be widely used for bathroom ceilings, walls, kitchen sinks, backsplashes, food equipment, and so on.

316L Stainless Steel Sheet

For further enhancing the ability to resist corrosion and oxidation, stainless steel of grade 316L is the most ideal one, and it’s regarded as marine grade stainless steel. The letter “L” means LOW CONTENT of carbon, which is lower than 0.03%, which has the better properties of easy welding and resistance to rust and corrosion. 316 stainless steel sheet with BA, 2B finish is generally used for the facade, and other indoor and outdoor decorative applications, tools and facilities for food, and any application that highly require resistance.

Benefits Of Expanded Stainless Steel Sheet

The expanded stainless steel sheet is extensively used as a metal mesh screen that can be found anywhere. As it is transformed from the plain stainless steel sheet, which passes through the process of slitting and stretching to expand it to 3-6 times the length of the original material, its weight is much lighter than other types of metal sheets. However, as such a stainless steel mesh has a higher mechanical strength to withstand impact and damage, so it’s a perfect solution for some space-required characteristics of security and protection. Furthermore, an expanded metal sheet also has the properties of sound absorption, high tensile strength, durability, high loading capacity, cost-effectiveness, and more. Now, let’s explore more details of its benefits below.

Strength & Lightweight

The finish product is expanded from an original stainless steel sheet or plate to achieve its length that is much more than before, so it relatively has a light wight. However, it doesn’t mean that its strength get weakened. The whole piece of mesh has no any weak point and remains its integrity from original material to finished products, as there is no any welding joint. The expanded stainless steel sheet is stronger and more tough than the original sheet, so it’s perfect to be used as a security mesh screen gate to prevent prohibited access, and also as safe guard to protect people from accident.

Rust & Corrosion Resistance

As the products are made from stainless steel, which is one of the most ideal metal with property of corrosion resistance, as it contains some other element to help improve its capability to withstand corrosion from acids and alkaline, so expanded stainless steel mesh is excellent to be used for both indoor and outdoor. Additionally, there are also other metal options available for expanded metal, such as aluminum, galvanized steel, copper, and so on.

Ventilation

Just like perforated metal, the numerous opening holes on the expanded stainless steel sheet ensures a smooth flow of air and help maintain ventilation for the interior room. The ventilation rate depends on the percentage of opening area, it is not unlimited as we need to ensure that not to sacrifice its strength and security capability.

Cost Effectiveness

Unlike the perforated metal, expanded metal sheet is processed to create opening holes without wastage of material, there is no scrap metal when the expanded sheet comes out, this will lower your material costs. And expanded stainless steel sheets are processed by being integrally stretched, one sheet can be expanded out to form a much larger piece, so you don’t need to do more process to join them together, this mean that you can cost less on the labor.

Versatility

The expanded stainless steel sheet is generally easy to be customized according to your specific requirements. For example, if you want to make the mesh with more strength and durability, then you can process it with smaller cuts and gaps, such a structure will limit its final stretched area, conversely, if you want the sheet with a lighter weight or larger stretched area, then you can make it with larger cuts and gaps, but you will get less strength and protective capability from it. Once you use expanded metal as the flooring, the size and angle of diamond shape can determine its anti-slip performance.

Aesthetics

In addition to some practical properties, the expanded stainless sheet has its natural metallic essence, and the patterns of opening areas can present some aesthetic and artistic elements for ornament purpose, so it’s an ideal solution to improve a space with security and decoration.

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