SWD - Nominal dimension, Short Way of Design

LWD - Nominal dimension, Long Way of Design
When referring to a sheet size the SWD is always referred to before the LWD. For example a 4x8 sheet means 4 foot dimension is in the SWD direction and 8 foot dimension is in the LWD direction.

SWO - Short Way of Opening

LWO - Long Way of Opening

STRAND THICKNESS - Gauge thickness of the base metal

STRAND WIDTH - Amount of metal fed under dies to produce one strand.

EDGE CONFIGURATION - Condition of the edge of an expanded metal sheet. Usually refers to “open” (random) or “closed” (bond) diamond edges produced from shearing.

EXPANDING - An expanding press simultaneously slits and stretches base material to form a diamond pattern.

LEVELLING - Expanded metal is usually levelled after the expansion process by a levelling roller.

RAISED (abbreviated R) - Expanded metal as it comes from the press. The strands and bonds are set at a uniform angle to the plane of the sheet. This gives added strength and rigidity, as well as a skidding resistant surface.

FLATTENED (abbreviated F) - Expanded metal that has been cold-rolled after expansion, to provide a smooth, flat and level sheet. The flattening process reduces the original gauge of the the base metal and the strand width increases slightly. Some of the heavier expanded metals can not be flattened.

SHEARING - Cutting expanded metal to size to produce various sheet sizes. May be “bond” or “random” sheared.