Perforated Metal Sheet
Perforated metal sheet is essentially a metal mesh and a series of opening patterns are punched out on the sheet metal by a perforating machine. Common materials are available in stainless steel, mild steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, copper and brass, etc. The common hole patterns including round hole, square hole, slotted hole and hexagonal hole, etc.
Common Materials
All common metals on the market can be used to make perforated metal sheet. The advantages and disadvantages of various common metals are listed below:
Stainless steel 304 and 316 are the most commonly used. Their corrosion resistance is much higher than that of mild steel and galvanized steel. They are commonly used in the food, pharmaceutical, medical and chemical industries, as well as the architectural decoration industry.
Mild steel is also called low carbon steel. Commonly used grades include AISI 1018, 1020, ASTM A36 steel; S235, S275, S355; SS400, Q195, Q235, Q345, etc. These steels are usually surface treated such as galvanization, spray paint to prevent rust or corrosion.
Aluminum and aluminum alloys have corrosion resistance equivalent to stainless steel, and their weight is only about 1/3 of steel, but their strength is generally lower than that of steel.
Copper has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, but it is expensive.
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, which has good corrosion resistance and wear resistance.
Hole Patterns of Perforated Metal Sheet
Round holes are the most common and cheapest pattern. The arrangement of round holes includes 90 degree straight line patterns, 45 or 60 degree staggered patterns.
Square hole can be straight line perforated or staggered perforated.
Slotted hole pattern including round end slotted hole and square end slotted hole.
Applications
Perforated metal sheet is versatile metal products used in various industries, such as
Food industry: Baking trays, perforated fruit and vegetable baskets, oven racks, noodle strainer, metal coffee filter, loose leaf tea infuser, etc.
Medical industry: Sterilization baskets, surgical instrument tray, etc.
Construction and decoration industry: Metal cladding, ceiling, handrail and balustrade infill panels, decorative metal mesh, metal fence, stairs treads, etc.
Petroleum and chemical industry: Candle filter, basket strainer, etc.