Stainless steel expanded metal sheet is made of solid stainless steel sheet, plates or rolls. Then, the machine pierces and stretches the sheet into an open diamond pattern.
There are two common types of expanded metal sheet: raised and flattened. The raised sheets have wavy ridges everywhere, while the flat sheets are truly flat.
Expanded metal mesh is often used to prevent entry into an area or object or as a barrier, but still allow liquids and gases to pass freely.
Flattened Expanded Metal Mesh
The stencil steel plate is made of steel that has been cut and stretched into a diamond-shaped opening. The flattened expanded metal sheet has been cold rolled to flatten into a flat surface. The stainless steel mesh is lightweight and can pass air, light or liquid.
Raised Expanded Metal
Standard raised expanded metal: the finished product taken off the press after being cut and unfolded by the die. Usually called a raised expansion plate.
Difference between expanded metal and perforated metal sheet
Expanded metal is stretched rather than punched, reducing metal scrap.