Expanded Metal Mesh Featured Image

Expanded metal is a type of metal that has been cut and stretched to form regular patterns (usually diamond shapes). It is usually made from materials such as steel, stainless steel or aluminium.

It is able to distribute loads evenly over a wide surface area due to the lack of welds or joints. It is also one of the most versatile materials that can be used for commercial, industrial, interior design or architectural purposes.

As a supplier of expanded metal mesh in Singapore, Progress Abms offer customisations (size, thickness, width etc.) to suit all your business needs.

Contact us to learn more and get a quotation on our expanded metal materials for your next project.

Benefits of Expanded Metal Mesh

Expanded mesh metal may be seen by some as an alternative to wire mesh and sheet metal due to the benefits it offers. This includes:

  • Strong and durable

Expanded metal mesh is made by flattening the material into a single, solid piece of metal and stretching it. As it is not held together by welds or joints, it is stronger and able to withstand a heavier load.

  • Allows for ventilation

The mesh design of expanded metal allows for better ventilation. Air and water are able to pass through the openings easily, facilitating drying and preventing the formation of rust and accumulation of residue.

  • Versatile

The material can be shaped easily for a variety of purposes and can be used in many different industries.

  • Anti-slip surface

The anti-skid property of expanded mesh provides a strong and safe grip, preventing accidents from occurring. This is especially crucial for ramps and walkways.

  • Provides good visibility

Due to its open mesh design, light is able to filter through and provide visibility into the enclosed area. This is important for areas such as walkways or maintenance platforms where visibility is crucial.

  • Affordable

Instead of punching out the excess material, the openings in these aluminium and steel mesh sheets are made by slitting and stretching the metal. Thus, wastage is kept to a minimum in the production process, making it a more cost-efficient alternative to other solutions.

Types of Expanded Metal Mesh

There are 4 main types of expanded metals:

  • Standard: Used in warehouse enclosures and lockers as it is extremely strong and durable
  • Flattened: Smooth, levelled surface that is suitable to be used for floors and fences
  • Mesh: Usually used for decorative and architectural purposes like room dividers and grills
  • Grating: Heavy-duty uses such as stairs and areas with high pedestrian traffic

Applications of Expanded Metal Mesh

Expanded metal is commonly used as metallic lath to support plaster or stucco. It can also be used for:

  • Walkways
  • Grates
  • Fences
  • Mesh covers
  • Drainage covers
  • Roads
  • Exhibition stands
  • Enclosures
  • Safety barricades
  • Outer layer of filters and grilles

Common Expanded Metal Terminology

  • Grating: An expanded metal pattern that is made from heavier gauge low carbon steel plates. It is a strong, lightweight material that is mostly used for pedestrian traffic.
  • Short way of design (SWD): Height of an expanded metal strand.
  • Long way of design (LWD): Length of an expanded metal strand.
  • Thickness: Thickness of the expanded metal mesh strand.
  • Strand width: Width of the expanded metal mesh strand.
Image to describe the common expanded metal terminology

Product Specifications

Type
Ref No.
Material
Nominal Mesh Size
Thickness
Strand Width
Weight
Standard Sheet Size
SWM X LWM (mm)
SWM (mm)
LWM (mm)
(mm)
+-10%
(mm)
+ -10%

(kg/m2)
+-10%

SWM X LWM
Light Mesh
LM 0515 (GI)
Steel
10
21
0.5
1.5
1.24
2440 X 1220
LM 0715 (GI)
10
21
0.7
1.5
1.75
LM 0915 (GI)
10
21
0.9
1.5
2.25
LM 1015 (GI)
9
29
1.0
1.5
2.70
LM 1515
9
29
1.5
1.5
4.03
LM 2015
9
29
2.0
1.5
5.37
LM 1520
16
38
1.5
2.0
3.00
LM 1528
22
57
1.5
2.8
3.02
LM 2028
22
57
2.0
2.8
4.03
LM 2030
35
76
2.0
3.0
3.02
SM 3030
22
57
3.0
3.0
6.49
SM 3035
22
57
3.0
3.5
7.30
SM 30045
22
57
3.0
4.5
9.75
SM 4545
22
57
4.5
4.5
15.00
SM 30030
35
76
3.0
3.0
4.03
SM 3045
35
76
3.0
4.5
6.05
SM 45050
35
76
4.5
5.0
10.48
SM 45060
35
76
4.5
6.0
12.43
SM 6060
35
76
6.0
6.0
16.58
SM 3545
42
115
3.0
4.5
5.37
SM 3060
42
115
3.0
6.0
7.05
SM 4560
42
115
4.5
6.0
10.41
SM 3050
50
150
3.0
5.0
4.71
SM 5050
75
150
5.0
5.0
5.30
SM 3075
95
200
3.0
7.5
3.80
DM 3032
25
40/81
3.0
3.2
6.05
Walkway Mesh
WM 50080
Steel
45
135
5.0
8.0
14.11
2440 X 1220
WM 50110
45
135
5.0
11.0
19.48
WM 30080
30
75
3.0
8.0
12.55
WM 50075
30
75
5.0
7.5
23.50
WM 50105
30
75
5.0
10.5
27.55
Type
Ref No.
Material
Nominal Mesh Size
Thickness
Strand Width
Weight
Standard Sheet Size
SWM X LWM (mm)
SWM (mm)
LWM (mm)
(mm) ±10%
(mm) ±10%

(kg/m2) ±10%

SWM X LWM
Anti Climb Mesh
A3030
Steel
12.5
75
3
3
N.A.
2440 X 1220
Contact us today with your material requirements and we will send you a quotation soon.

FAQs About Expanded Metal Mesh

1. Knife is placed in the machine

The expanding machine is fitted with a knife that determines the pattern of the material.

2. Sheet is placed in the machine

The metal sheet used to make expanded metal is then passed through the machine.

3. Pattern is formed on the material

The machine cuts and stretches the material to form an even diamond-shaped pattern that is of uniform size and thickness.

4. Material is cut into sheets

The finished product is wounded into coils or cut into sheets.

Expanded metal may rust in harsh environmental conditions. However, the possibility of this happening is still rather low. 

If it does rust, simply remove the rust and the material can still be used.

Some methods to remove rust include

  • sandblasting
  • shot blasting using mechanical equipment
  • pickling / chemical removal
  • manual removal