Looking for help in sourcing Expanded Metal?
AMICO Expanded Metal services OEM accounts through our nationwide distribution network. Mill buyers, please contact us directly for a customized stocking program.
We stock expanded metal sheets in various sizes and shapes. In fact, we offer catwalk grating, heavy-duty grating, and standard options, and you can have them shipped immediately.
When you require certain finishes, welds, and sizes, it’s best to talk to our team. In fact, you get a quality manufacturer with appropriate tools that will help you create customized wall cladding, fences, and infill panels.
Choose galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and carbon steel expanded metal materials today!
Expanded Metals
Your #1 Expanded Metal Company / Supplier
Expanded Metals For Grills / Smokers
Grill manufacturers throughout the world understand that AMICO expanded metal is a superior cooking surface. Let us design a custom Ex Metal stocking program for your company.
Trailers / Haulers
Need an EX Metal supplier that can keep up with your demand? AMICO is the largest Expanded Metal manufacturer in North America and can ship truckloads to your location daily.
Hunting / Tree Stands
Manufacturers of outdoor products require specific material and unique shapes. Let us custom cut your expanded metal and stock it for a just-in-time-delivery program.
Need To Spec a Product or Quote Your Next Job?
What is Expanded Metal?
Expanded Metal is a sheet of metal that has been cut and stretched with a regular pattern of diamond-shaped openings. The metal is then mechanically opened up to form a sheet that has a much larger surface area than the original metal sheet. This makes expanded metal an ideal material for use in a variety of applications, including fencing, screens, and grating.
How is Expanded Metal made?
Expanded metal is made from a flat piece of sheet metal, typically steel. The sheet is inserted into a machine and then the material is stretched in two different directions to form diamond-shaped openings. A blade then cuts through the openings in between each point on the diamond, producing a pattern that resembles fish scales.
Expanded Metal Applications and Uses
Expanded Metal has many uses and is becoming even more popular. Some of the most common uses are listed here.
- Security Fencing (offers protection and features a beautiful appearance because of the rigidity and uniformity; often used to prevent thieves or trespassers from entering the property)
- Screening
- Collars or Trusses for Metal Roofs
- Concrete reinforcement
- Cab and truck dividers
- Infill Panels for all industries
- Air intake screens
- Mezzanines, ramps, catwalk grating, stairways, and walkways
- Window, skylight, and door guards
- Security mesh for A/C covers
- Grating for walkways over tanks or stillages (docks) at manufacturing plants
- Tool Grinding Wheel Guards
- Chutes, Covers and Sifters
- Floor grating, such as billboard or maintenance platforms
- Machine guards
- Light diffusers
- Sidewalk/drive grates]
- RFI/EMI shielding
- Architectural (building facades)
- Architectural (barriers and interior partitions)
Check out Our Diamond-shaped Openings and So Much More!
Our steel-expanded metal products have coils or sheets of solid metal. However, the diamond patterns vary by size, material type, and even gauge.
“Expanded metal” indicates how the material is stretched and die-cut simultaneously while moving through the press dies. With the process, it can be stretched roughly 10 times the normal size to cut down on the weight while retaining rigidity.
Choose from Three Types of Expanded Metal Sheets
AMICO can meet your company’s needs, regardless of your industry, and we have a few different options when it comes to steel-expanded metal. You’ll find various shapes and sizes, and they all feature unique properties.
–Flattened Expanded Metal (FXM): This is the most common and inexpensive type of expanded metal. It is created by cutting vertical lines in between points to make diamond-shaped openings. While it is the least expensive, flat expanded metal does not have strength or durability because of how thin and light it is.
Still, it’s standard and has been cold-rolled to offer a smooth surface. It’s generally five percent lighter than our standard option, so it works well when you need agility and will still maintain durability and strength. Architects like it when creating decorative accents.
–Standard Expanded Sheet (SXM): This is a more expensive version of expanded metal. It is created by cutting diamond shapes within a square grid. The standard expanded metal has a high strength-to-weight ratio and good corrosion resistance while being cost-effective.
Sometimes called raised metal, you get sharp edges and angles when the strands and bonds get expanded. It offers more flexibility and can meet open-area percentage requirements with ease.
–Expanded Metal Grating: Expanded metal grating is an economical solution for industrial walking surfaces. It is made with a heavier-gauge metal and has a more open diamond shape that allows for better drainage and air circulation.
The heavy-duty option is made with carbon steel plates and sheets. It doesn’t contain welds and joints; every sheet comes in one piece. Therefore, maintenance and installation are quite simple, and you get an economical alternative to bar grates.
Having an expanded metal sheet made of carbon steel is ideal for floor grating, platforms, and more. Create slip resistance with ease.
–Ribbon Expanded Metal: Ribbon expanded metal has a higher resistance to wear and tear because of the way it is made. The diamond-shaped openings are cut in horizontal lines, which gives it more stability and strength than flat expanded metal.
–Raised Expanded Metal: Raised expanded metal goes through the process of slitting and stretching in a longitudinal direction in order to increase its strength and stability.
Custom Fabrication Services for Expanded Metal
It’s easy to use our stock inventory list to find your steel-expanded products. However, we realize that they might not meet your project requirements. If that’s the case, you can contact us and let us know what you need. We’ll create something unique that fits your specifications.
When you choose AMICO, you’ll have experts by your side to help you create something that will work and then bring it all to life. Designers will work with engineers and architects to manufacture steel-expanded items that meet your needs. Alternatively, you can make your own CAD drawings that we’ll go by when necessary.
Characteristics
Though light, steel expanded metal is much better than wire mesh. It might be similar in weight, but it’s not as durable or strong. Our materials are flattened to stay in one piece. You don’t have to fuse separate parts together to create your masterpiece. Likewise, this means no seams that will lower the product’s lifespan, causing more maintenance issues.
Expanded metal products often use a diamond-shaped pattern. We like this style because it won’t become deformed over time and can absorb energy efficiently. However, you can choose square and circular options. The placement angle of your shape will determine how well it performs. For example, zero angles make straight lines, so they’re stronger as they’re compressed.
Overall, expanded metal can be paired with various other materials, such as stainless steel, aluminum, and carbon steel expanded metal products. Create patio furniture, security fencing, machine guards, and even air intake screens with ease.
Do you need expanded metal with maximum strength? We offer heavy-gauge options that are coated to ensure protection from corrosion and rust.
Special Treatments and Finishes
We offer these treatments and finishes:
- Aluminum – Our team cleans aluminum with a special non-etching cleanser before rinsing and drying. Sometimes, we use non-waxed or waxed products for the mill finish.
- Carbon Steel – The mill finish for carbon steel is generally oiled lightly. Plus, we’ll clean it with solvent baths or acid and rinse it with water when we’re done.
- Leveling – We plane the sheet carefully without upsetting the bonds and strands within.
- Electro-Galvanized – Do you need something weather-resistant? Electro-galvanized products use a zinc finish to achieve your goals.
- Hot-dipped Galvanized – Add a protective layer of zinc, but be aware you might have a rougher appearance. This isn’t suitable for hot-rolled metal under 1/4-inch thick.
- Deburring – We can remove sharp edges and burrs with a wire brush, but we don’t always have to do this for the best performance.
- Other Options – We also offer plated, painted, coated, and anodized expanded metal.
Open Area Percentage and Why It’s Crucial When Choosing Expanded Metal Sheets
What is open area percentage? This term focuses on how much water, light, and air can get through the open spaces of the pattern. If you need something that keeps most things out, you’ll need a smaller open area percentage. Otherwise, it won’t filter everything effectively.
Our team can ensure that you get the best open area percentage based on your project and needs.
The Advantages of Expanded Metal
There are many benefits to choosing expanded metal mesh, whether you’re a facility operator, manufacturer, or designer.
The material is lightweight and versatile, and you get a better weight-to-strength ratio than with other products. When you expand the metal, you’re making it stronger instead of weaker. Plus, we form the mesh from one metal piece, so there are often fewer processing requirements. You may not have to press or shear it.
When we expand the metal, you’ll see “knuckles” form, which creates a natural anti-slip grip. Plus, the diamond pattern looks great, so it’s ideal for design and decorative purposes.
AMICO Offers Appropriate Products for All Applications
We’re one of the best steel-expanded metal suppliers in the country! AMICO offers high-quality products in stainless steel, carbon steel, and much more. You can choose the design, pattern, open area, and thickness you require.
If your project requires something other than carbon steel or stainless steel, don’t worry! We have many options in stock and will work with you to get what you need!
Who We Are
When you need expanded metal, we have it. In fact, we sell throughout the United States and are focused on your needs. Regardless of your industry, you’ll find we’re fully equipped to handle anything you require and have many items in stock.
We’re different than our competitors because we focus on the details and put in the extra effort needed to ensure your satisfaction. Learn more about our company today!
Contact Us Today!
Are you ready to see how our products compare to other companies? We’re here to help you and have plenty of items in stock. You may also contact us with special orders and get a free quote! We’re reliable, and fast, and offer excellent quality to meet all of your needs!