What is the difference between wire mesh and expanded metal?

The main difference between wire mesh and expanded metal lies in their manufacturing process and resulting structure:

Wire Mesh

Made from wires: Wire mesh is created by weaving or welding intersecting strands of wire. These wires are typically arranged in a grid pattern, and the spaces between them can be adjusted for different mesh sizes.

Flexibility: It can be flexible (depending on the wire thickness) and is often used for applications like fencing, screens, or filters.

Openings: The openings in wire mesh are typically uniform, depending on the wire thickness and spacing.

Expanded Metal

Made from a single sheet of metal: Expanded metal is made by taking a solid sheet of metal (usually steel, aluminum, or copper) and slitting and stretching it to form a diamond-shaped pattern. The process creates a mesh-like structure with a continuous surface of metal.

More rigid: Unlike wire mesh, expanded metal is usually more rigid and doesn’t require a frame to maintain its shape.

Openings: The openings in expanded metal are typically more irregular in shape, usually diamond-shaped, and the material remains solid, meaning no wires are actually cut out.

Key Differences

Manufacturing: Wire mesh is woven or welded, while expanded metal is created by cutting and stretching a single metal sheet.

Appearance: Wire mesh has a grid-like pattern, while expanded metal has a diamond or hexagonal pattern.

Strength and Rigidity: Expanded metal is often stronger and more rigid than wire mesh, due to the nature of its production.