304
General purpose
Widely used for screens, guards, partitions, ventilation panels and general architectural fabrication.
Product form hub · Expanded metal
Stainless Steel Expanded Metal
Specify stainless steel expanded metal by grade, raised or flattened profile, diamond size, strand width, strand thickness, sheet size and open area. This page gives buyers a practical route from common styles to a quote-ready specification.
304 / 304L / 316 / 316L
Raised or flattened
SWD / LWD / strand dimensions
Diamond mesh · product visual
Common grades304 / 304L / 316 / 316L
Common formsRaised / Flattened
Typical sheets4 × 8 / 4 × 10 / 5 × 10 ft
Build the specification
01Choose grade
02Raised or flattened
03Set SWD / LWD
04Set strand dimensions
05Confirm sheet / open area
06Send RFQ
Product overview
What to define before buying stainless steel expanded metal
Expanded metal is made by slitting and stretching sheet into an integral mesh. The correct purchase description needs more than the alloy grade: mesh geometry and profile determine opening, rigidity, weight, airflow and appearance.
Material304 / 304L
Common general-purpose stainless grades for guards, screens, architectural work and fabrication.
Material316 / 316L
Often selected where chloride exposure or a more demanding corrosion environment is expected.
GeometrySWD × LWD
Diamond geometry is commonly defined by short way and long way dimensions together with strand width and thickness.
ProfileRaised / flattened
Raised mesh retains the expanded profile; flattened mesh is rolled for a smoother, flatter surface.
M03 · Grade selection
Choose the grade from corrosion exposure and fabrication needs
The mesh pattern does not change the basic alloy selection logic. Environment, cleaning chemicals, welding, temperature and appearance should determine the stainless grade.
304L
Low-carbon welding route
Common where welded fabrication is expected and a low-carbon 304 route is preferred.
316
Higher corrosion resistance
Used in more demanding outdoor, coastal, marine-adjacent or chemical environments.
316L
Corrosion + fabrication
Frequently specified where improved chloride resistance and welded fabrication are both important.
M04 · Technical data
Common stainless steel expanded metal style reference
These are practical reference styles commonly seen in stainless expanded metal. Confirm the exact standard style, strand dimensions, open area and sheet size required for your project.
| Style | Design size SWD × LWD | Typical strand width × thickness | Approx. open area | Buying note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 #18 raised | 0.500 × 1.200 in | 0.087 × 0.048 in | ≈65% | Fine-to-medium mesh for screens, guards and general fabrication |
| 1/2 #16 raised | 0.500 × 1.200 in | 0.087 × 0.060 in | ≈65% | Heavier strand at the same basic diamond design size |
| 1/2 #13 raised | 0.500 × 1.200 in | 0.096 × 0.090 in | ≈62% | Heavier-duty mesh with greater strand section |
| 1/2 #18 flattened | 0.500 × 1.260 in | 0.098 × 0.041 in | ≈61% | Flatter surface for panels, guards and decorative work |
| 3/4 #18 flattened | 0.923 × 2.100 in | 0.118 × 0.041 in | ≈74% | Higher open area with a larger diamond pattern |
| 3/4 #13 flattened | 0.923 × 2.100 in | 0.120 × 0.076 in | ≈74% | Stronger flattened mesh for guards and industrial panels |
| 3/4 #9 flattened | 0.923 × 2.100 in | 0.179 × 0.114 in | ≈61% | Heavy-duty expanded metal style |
| 1-1/2 #16 flattened | 1.330 × 3.150 in | 0.128 × 0.051 in | ≈81% | Large opening and high open area for airflow and screening |
Common sheet sizes in the market include 4 × 8 ft, with 4 × 10 ft and 5 × 10 ft available for many styles. Metric cut sheets are also widely supplied. Values above are reference data; do not use them as a substitute for the required drawing or project specification.
M05 · Dimensions and form
Define the mesh beyond just “expanded metal”
Two expanded metal sheets can look similar but behave differently if the diamond dimensions, strand section, profile or orientation changes.
Diamond geometry
- SWD — short way of diamond
- LWD — long way of diamond
- SWO / LWO when clear opening matters
- Orientation of SWD / LWD in the finished panel
- Open area requirement if airflow or visibility matters
Strand & profile
- Strand width
- Strand thickness
- Overall thickness for raised mesh
- Raised / standard profile
- Flattened / rolled profile
Sheet & edge condition
- Sheet width × length
- Cut-to-size panel dimensions
- Bond / open diamond edge preference
- Flatness and squareness if critical
- Deburring or edge protection requirement
RaisedRetains the three-dimensional expanded profile for rigidity and traction.
FlattenedCold-rolled after expanding to produce a flatter, smoother sheet profile.
Standard sheetCommon stock-sheet formats such as 4 × 8 ft can simplify fabrication planning.
Cut panelState final width, length and diamond orientation when the panel must fit a frame.
M06 · Selection guide
Match the expanded metal style to what the panel must do
Opening size, stiffness, surface profile and open area should be selected from the application rather than from appearance alone.
Guard / screenBalance opening size with containment, visibility and airflow requirements.
Architectural panelPrioritize diamond consistency, orientation, surface appearance and panel flatness.
Walkway / tractionRaised mesh can provide texture, but the load and safety design must be verified separately.
Ventilation / filtration supportOpen area and clear opening dimensions are often more important than the style name alone.
Worked example
Example of a clear expanded metal specification
This is the level of detail that avoids back-and-forth when a buyer requests expanded metal.
Do not send only “304 expanded metal.”
State the alloy, profile, design size or style, strand dimensions where critical, sheet size and the application requirement.
MaterialASTM A240 Type 304 stainless steel feedstock
Expanded metalRaised, 1/2 #18 style
Design sizeSWD 0.500 in × LWD 1.200 in
Sheet size48 × 96 in
OrientationLWD parallel to 96 in sheet length
QuantityState sheet count or total area
UseMachine guard panel; edges will be framed after cutting
M08 · Applications
Where stainless steel expanded metal is commonly used
Machine guards
Protective panels that retain visibility and airflow around equipment.
Screens & ventilation
Open mesh for air movement, screening, grilles and protective covers.
Architectural panels
Façade details, partitions, ceilings, infill panels and decorative mesh features.
Walkway components
Raised expanded metal can be used in industrial access products when engineering requirements are satisfied.
Security & barrier panels
Mesh barriers, window guards, cages and enclosures where integral strand construction is useful.
General fabrication
Custom frames, trays, baskets, covers and stainless fabricated assemblies.
Important limitation: mesh style alone does not establish structural load capacity, anti-slip performance, fall protection, security rating or filtration performance. For safety-critical or engineered service, confirm the governing load, opening and project requirements before purchase.
M10 · Standards
Standards and purchasing references
Use the project specification as the governing requirement. The standards below help define expanded metal and stainless feedstock, but the final RFQ should still state the actual geometry and panel requirements.
Standard specification for steel expanded metal. It covers raised and flattened types and includes a corrosion-resisting steel class made from stainless sheet.
Common reference for chromium and chromium-nickel stainless steel plate, sheet and strip used as feedstock for many expanded metal products.
State the required mesh style, SWD, LWD, strand dimensions, sheet size, orientation, flatness and edge condition when these affect fit or function.
M11 · FAQ
Stainless steel expanded metal FAQ
What is the difference between raised and flattened expanded metal?
Raised expanded metal retains the three-dimensional profile created during expanding. Flattened expanded metal is rolled after expanding, producing a flatter and smoother sheet with altered opening and strand geometry.
What do SWD and LWD mean?
SWD is the short way of diamond and LWD is the long way of diamond. They describe the repeating diamond geometry. SWO and LWO may also be specified when the clear opening matters.
Which stainless grade is most common?
304 and 304L are common general-purpose choices. 316 and 316L are often selected when chloride exposure or a more demanding corrosion environment is expected.
What sheet size should I specify?
4 × 8 ft is a common commercial sheet size, with 4 × 10 ft and 5 × 10 ft available for many styles. Metric and cut-to-size sheets can also be requested. Always state the diamond orientation if it matters to the finished panel.
Is the percentage of open area important?
Yes. Open area affects airflow, visibility, shading, weight and screening behavior. For ventilation or architectural projects, state the minimum or target open area when it is functionally important.
Product details
What buyers usually verify visually
Replace these three visual areas with your own expanded metal product, mesh detail and packing images when first-party media is ready.
Mesh geometryDiamond opening, SWD / LWD and strand consistency
Raised / flattened profileSurface profile, flatness and overall thickness
Sheet & packingPanel size, edge protection and delivery condition
Expanded metal resources
Continue from technical research to purchase
M13 · Technical reference
Reference basis for this expanded metal guide
This page uses ASTM expanded-metal terminology together with common commercial stainless mesh styles and sheet formats. Actual product availability and project-specific requirements should be confirmed before order placement.
M14 · RFQ
Request a technical quote
For a faster review, include the grade, raised or flattened profile, mesh style or SWD × LWD, strand thickness, sheet size, quantity, destination and any cut-to-size requirement.
- Grade / material designation
- Raised or flattened profile
- Mesh style or SWD × LWD
- Sheet size / cut panel requirement
- Quantity and destination