Perforated Metals

About Perforated Metals and Perforated Metal Manufacturers Including: Perforated Aluminum, Perforated Metal Screen, Perforated Plate, Perforated Sheets, Perforated Steel & Perforated Tubes.

Perforated metals contain hole patterns of varying sizes and shapes which have been created by punching presses. Used in construction and many manufacturing industries, perforated metal can be fabricated in a diverse number of configurations to fit structural, filtration, decorative, substance dispersal and many other applications. Common perforated metals include perforated steel and perforated aluminum, although perforated metal suppliers often manufacture a wide range of perforated alloys and specialty grades as well. Perforated sheets may be used for ceilings, construction or as metal screens; many industrial and processing applications use perforated tubes, and thick perforated plate may be used in a variety of design or structural applications. With a wide range of thicknesses, hole sizes, shapes and perforated sheet configurations, perforated metals are made into screens, filters, baskets, trash cans, tubing, light fixtures, vents, audio speaker covers and patio furniture.

Like perforated metals, expanded metals are also used for filtration, reinforcement and decoration. Expanded metals are similar to perforated metals, but they have been cut and stretched into a shaped framework rather than punched. Using expanded metal can be both cost-effective and ecologically sustainable, as the expanded metal fabrication process creates very little waste material and can expand a metal sheet's surface area by up to 70%. Applications for expanded metals are often similar to those of perforated metals; they include enclosures such as lockers and cages, supportive structures such as grating, shelves and catwalks, and protective structures such as guards and fencing. Although expanded metal is sometimes a cost-effective alternative to perforated metal, perforated metal is capable of being fabricated with much finer holes in a wide varity of configurations, making it an optimal choice for many metal screen applications as well as filter, design and construction applications.

Types of hole patterns include staggered rounds, centers and squares, straight square slots, round and line squares, round slot end and side staggered and hexagons. Perforated metal manufacturers make their products out stainless steel, galvanized steel and cold-rolled carbon steel. Perforated sheets can be produced from sheets providing options that include margins and blank areas, along with full perforation. A common way to produce perforated sheets begins with roll-formed coils. This method provides great flexibility in both design and handling. Perforated coils can be produced from coils as well, which is generally faster than perforating sheets.

The decision whether to expand or perforate metal depends upon the industrial application, budget and specific design requirements. Perforated metal remains useful because it is easy to manufacture, cost-effective, versatile and suitable for a wide range of metals. Factors to take into account when considering perforated metal manufacturers include quantity, hole pattern, hole size, metal property requirements and thickness. A less expensive material does not guarantee the lowest manufacturing cost. A higher strength alloy, which would be a more expensive material, may allow a reduction in thickness, reducing the overall price of perforation. 

Perforated Metals Images Provided by McKey Perforating Company, Inc.

Perforated Metals Image Provided by Remaly Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Perforated Metal Types

• Bar grating is heavy-duty expanded metal with thicker bearing bars used for industrial flooring, stairs and transportation applications, such as street grating and railroad grating.
  
• Filter screens control the flow of fluids, sunlight and noise for light fixtures, window openings and acoustics.
  
• Grating consists of durable, expanded metal assembled in a grid configuration and used for flooring, stairs and catwalks in situations involving light to moderate traffic.
  
• Metal panels are used for insulation, decoration and structural support in architectural and construction applications.
  
• Metal screens block objects and substances from entering enclosed areas, providing protection and security.
  
• Perforated aluminum is aluminum sheet metal that has been perforated with a punch.
• Perforated metal sheets are used as screens, tubing, panels and grating in a variety of different industrial applications.
  
• Perforated plate is a metal plate that has been punched with a decorative shape.
• Perforated sheets are sheets of metal that has been punch with one of various shapes.
• Perforated steel is steel sheet metal that has been perforated with a punch.
• Perforated tubes are used for filtration, light and fluid diffusion, shielding and dampening applications.
  
• Radially cut grating is annular-shaped panels cut out of rectangular grating and used in circular or annular areas.
  
• Reversible grating is grating that may be installed with either side facing up with no difference in appearance or carrying capacity.
  
• Riveted grating consists of straight bars and bent connecting bars that are joined by rivets at their contact points.
  
• Standard expanded metal begins as a solid metal sheet that is then uniformly slit and stretched to create diamond-shaped openings.
  
• Swage-locked grating is manufactured by applying pressure through dies to alter the cross sectional shape of a metal cross bar.
  
• Wire cloth is available in a variety of different weave patterns for use in air filters, ventilation covers, animal cages, window guards and clothes dryers.

Perforated Metal Terms

Anchor - A device that attaches the perforated metals grating to its supports.
 
Band - Flat metal bars connected to each end of the bearing bars of a perforated metals gratings.
 
Bearing Bars - Individual strips of metal that make up perforated metals grating panels, which support the load applied to the perforated metals gratings.
 
Bond - The point of intersection between two strands of expanded metal.
 
Carriers (Punched Plate) - Angles or flats that get welded to the perforated metals grating.
 
Cold Rolling - The process of moving unheated metal through pairs of roller dies to increase strength and reduce thickness. Expanded metal is flattened in the cold rolling process.
 
Cross Bars - The bars perpendicular to the bearing bars of expanded metal grating.
 
Deflection - The amount of deformation that occurs upon the application of stress to perforated metals grating. Acceptable deformation usually measures about 0.25.
 
Finish - A coating applied to perforated metals grating. This coating is typically paint or galvanizing.
 
Mesh - The distance measured in inches between two bond midpoints.
 
Open Area - The openings or gaps in expanded and perforated metals that are surrounded by metal strands.
 
Pressed-Locked - A manufacturing method for perforated metals grating in which a specialized press, fit with cross-bar deformation, locks the bearing bars in position. The press-locked method is an alternative to riveting and welding.
 
Random Sheared - A shearing method that leaves prongs or jagged edges on the expanded metal.
 
Serration - The inclusion of a row of notches on expanded metal grating to provide slip resistance.
 
Shearing - Process of trimming metal to meet size and shape design requirements.
 
Slitting - Process whereby metal strip width is reduced to meet design criteria.
 
Strand - In expanded metal, the metal strip creating the pattern framework.
 
Tread - A panel of grating to which carrier end plates and nosing are welded. Tread is designed specifically to be used as stairs.