Flattened Expanded Metal is selected when an assembly or process calls for walkways, guards, screens and facades that need a strong, one-piece slit-and-stretched mesh. This application guide to the DIN 791 / ASTM F1267 type covers concrete end-uses, the specification checklist, correct installation, and where an alternative mesh or filter medium performs better.
Typical Applications for Flattened Expanded Metal
The most common settings where this is specified:
- Architecture: facades and decorative screens.
- Machine guards: strong, ventilated one-piece guarding.
- Industrial filtration & separation: removing particulates from liquids, gases and slurries in process plant.
- OEM & fabrication: cut, formed and welded into filter assemblies, screens, guards and enclosures.
- Maintenance & replacement (MRO): matching an existing mesh, screen or element spec when servicing installed equipment.
How to Specify Flattened Expanded Metal for Your Application
- Mesh count / micron rating: Match the aperture or micron rating to the smallest particle you must retain or pass. The table below lists mesh count, aperture and micron for each option — for woven cloth, specify the aperture or micron, not just the mesh count.
- Pattern & thickness: Choose standard (raised) for grip or flattened for a smooth face, and the strand and sheet thickness for the load and span.
- Material / alloy: Select the alloy for the environment — 304 for general use, 316L for chlorides, food and chemicals, brass or copper for shielding, and Monel, Inconel or Hastelloy for marine, acid and high-temperature service.
- Environment: For damp, coastal, chemical or high-temperature service move up to 316L or a nickel alloy; for dry indoor duty 304 or a coated steel is usually enough.
- Standard: This product is supplied to DIN 791 / ASTM F1267. Quoting the standard on your order guarantees interchangeable dimensions and filtration data between suppliers.
Handling & Installation Practice
- Orient the long way of the diamond (LWD) across the span for maximum stiffness, and support the short-way edges.
- Band or frame the cut edges — the strands are sharp — and fix through the bond points, not the strands.
Common Selection Mistakes with Flattened Expanded Metal
- Confusing standard (raised) with flattened expanded metal — raised has a three-dimensional grip texture, flattened is smooth and lower.
- Loading the short way of the diamond, where the mesh is weakest, instead of the long way.
Where Flattened Expanded Metal Is Not the Right Choice
Not for precise particle separation (the aperture is not a controlled filtration opening) and not where a perfectly flat, smooth surface is required.
