Term for sheet metal with stamped holes!

[Bob B.]

Hi all,

I am trying to figure out if there is a specific term for the thin sheet metal with the stamped holes, such as that shown of the retainer for the air cleaner element in the attached pic.

Thanks,

Bob

[Chuck S.]

Re: Term for sheet metal with stamped holes!

McMaster-Carr calls it perforated steel sheet.

[Tom H.]

Re: Term for sheet metal with stamped holes!

Perforating ????

[Michael W.]

Re: Term for sheet metal with stamped holes!

If it's real, original, assembly line stuff, just call it 'expensive'.

[Paul J.]

Re: Term for sheet metal with stamped holes!

In the trade it's either called perforated metal or punched sheet. There may be some other names for it too.

[Jack H.]

Re: Term for sheet metal with stamped holes!

Another term is 'mesh'...

[Jack H.]

Re: Term for sheet metal with stamped holes!

Also, the term 'screen' can be applied...

[Steve L.]

Re: Term for sheet metal with stamped holes!

Mesh and screen implies that it is made of wires in a weave pattern.
The proper term is perforated. There are lots of suppliers that sell perforated sheetmetal with round, hex,rectangular or square holes. All in different hole to solid material ratios in 4 x 8 ft sheets.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Term for sheet metal with stamped holes!

If it were thicker like a block, they'd call it "pierced".

Stu Fox

[Edward B.]

Re: Term for sheet metal with stamped holes!

I've always heard it referred to as "expanded metal."

[Ronald L.]

Re: Term for sheet metal with stamped holes!

Expanded metal mesh is what was used on the mid 70's & up air filters; thin sheet slit and roll-stretched.

this thin sheet with punched holes would be more consistent with punch or perf metal.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Term for sheet metal with stamped holes!

Expanded metal mesh is...thin sheet slit and roll-stretched.

this thin sheet with punched holes would be more consistent with punch or perf metal.

I agree.

The appearance of "expanded metal" is typically that of diamond shaped openings (slits are staggered) with tiny little "twists" near the vertices.

Wire mesh is wires woven in a square (or diagonal) pattern with tiny blobs of weld or solder at the wire intersections. Screen is typically the same(?), but has closer wire spacing without weld or solder.