Your Position—FAQ

What is expanded metal?

expanded metal is an extraordinarily versatile material - one with thousands of uses. It comes in four basic types, and it has four primary areas of applications.

Basic types are standard (or regular), flattened, grating, and architectural (or decorative) meshes. The major areas of use are enclosure, protection, support and decoration.

expanded metal products are produced from solid sheets or plates of carbon, galvanized and stainless steel, as well as aluminum and a variety of alloys of copper, nickel, silver, titanium, and other metals.
In an expanding process, the sheet or plate is simultaneously slit and stretched longitudinally - expanding the slits into diamond-shaped holes of uniform size, shape and regularity. The diamonds typically range from 1/8 to 2-in. wide and 1/4 to 6-in long.

No metal is lost in the expanding process. Moreover the final product is stronger per pound and lighter per foot than the original sheet or plate. The strands and bonds of the diamond-shaped trusses form a sharp angle to the original plane of the sheet, adding strength and rigidity.

Because it is made from a solid sheet of metal, it can never ravel. The slender metal strands forming the open diamonds permit light, heat, air, liquids and sound to pass through - yet present a virtually impenetrable barrier to intruders. Even if cut at one or more points, the remaining strand intersections continue to hold.

What are the different types of expanded metal?

Standard expanded metal: Expanded metal as it comes off the machine. The strands and bonds are set at a uniform angle to the plane of the sheet. This adds strength and rigidity, allows air circulation, distributes the load on the metal to the supporting frames as well as making a skid resistant surface. Standard expanded metal is abbreviated XM.

Flattened expanded metal: Manufactured by passing the standard expanded sheet through a cold roll reducing mill parallel to the LWD. By flattening the sheet, the bonds and strands are turned down to produce a smooth and flat surface, reducing the overall thickness and elongating the diamond pattern (LWD). Cross roll flattening is done by passing the expanded metal sheet through a cold roll reducing mill parallel to the SWD. The result is the same except the diamond pattern SWD is elongated. Flattened expanded metal is abbreviated FXM.

Decorative Patterns: Specially designed expanded metal for use in architectural and decorative applications. These design can be used to provide privacy and to control light and air while allowing visibility. Sun screens, room dividers, and building facades are only a few of the possible design possibilities. Available in carbon steel, aluminum and other alloys in a wide range of patterns and gauges. Most of these patterns are produced on a special order basis only.

Grating: Grating is a standard expanded metal pattern produced from heavier gauge low carbon steel plates. The strands and openings are considerably larger than the other meshes. Ideal for use whenever a strong durable and lightweight surface is required. Although used primarily for pedestrian traffic, grating can accommodate heavier loads when properly supported.

Here are some of the questions we are asked most frequently and their answers. If you have a question, read this section first to see if it is answered below.

Can I get a drawing of what my material will look like?

Yes, we can supply you with a drawing based on your specifications.

Can I get the exact pattern I am looking for?

We have over 1,400 individual tool combinations. We also provide design and engineering services to help meet your needs.

What is the smallest hole you can punch in Steel?

We can perforate .010" to 6" holes. The smallest hole in any material is typically equal to its thickness. However there are possibilities to go smaller when we start looking at the material's physical and chemical makeup.

What is the highest open area Hendrick can provide?

We can provide up to 79% open area.

What is the lightest gauge you can perforate?

We have perforated materials as thin as 0.001”, however, we can entertain other thicknesses.”

Can you provide the material in coil form instead of sheets?

Yes. We can provide you with material in coil form.

Does Hendrick perforate heavy gauge plate?

Yes, we have the capability to perforate plate up to .750" thick.

Can you perforate any kind of metal or material?

We currently perforate a variety of materials including steel, aluminum, multiple grades of stainless steel, galvanized metal, pvc, plastic, paper, polypropylene, foil and other alloys and metals. If you have a material not listed, we would be happy to test a sample for perforatability.

Does Hendrick offer fabrication services?

Yes, we can fabricate our perforated sheets and panels into a variety of products using shearing, bending, drilling, rolling, and welding techniques.

Do you have minimum quantities?

No, Hendrick can supply one sheet or collaborate on a running program.

How can Hendrick reduce our drop?

Since Hendrick works mostly with coiled material, we can supply sheets in nearly any width and length, reducing your costs (you only pay for the metal you use) and reducing your waste.