Expanded metal, also known as expanded mesh, is defined by openings in the surface, so-called meshes, which are created by offset cuts with simultaneous stretching deformation. They are usually diamond-shaped, round or square and are neither braided nor welded. Due to stretching ("cold stretching"), the material has considerable strength and surface stability, as metals usually become brittle, i.e. more resistant to bending. The meshes of the grid, which consists of sheets or ribbons, come in various forms: There are diamond meshes, long-web meshes, hexagonal meshes, round meshes and square meshes. Normally, expanded metal meshes have a ribbed, plastically structured surface, but the mesh can also be rolled flat. It can achieve free cross-sections between 4 and about 90 percent, whereby, in contrast to perforated sheets, there is no waste (cut punching) during production.
