Expanded Metal Foil Materials

Expanded metal foils are an excellent alternative to woven wire or perforated metal meshes. They can be manufactured from many types of metal for a combination of desired material properties with a lightweight, strong, and malleable structure. Common uses include lightning strike protection, EMI shielding, filtration, current collection in lithium ion batteries, hydrogen electrolyzers, and more.

CThru Metals manufactures expanded metal products for use in aerospace, transportation, consumer goods manufacturing, electronics development, and other major industries. We’re committed to creating high-quality custom solutions for diverse projects and applications.

Learn more about the performance, properties, and potential applications of our expanded metal foil materials.

Expanded Metal Materials and Their Common Applications

Each metal has properties that affect its suitability for different applications. The specific requirements of an application, such as corrosion, temperature, or salt spray resistance; strength or malleability needs; and more, determine which raw material will work best.

At CThru Metals, we provide a range of expanded metal products to offer customers the best selection possible. Options include copper, aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, Monel, nickel, brass, phosphorus bronze, and silver foil. Below, you’ll find some of the primary properties and common uses of each one:

Copper

Copper is widely used because of its conductivity and corrosion resistance. It is also antimicrobial and inert, making it ideal for biomedical applications. As an expanded metal foil, copper is soft, malleable, while remaining resistant to distortion.

Copper is often used in these applications:

Aluminum

Aluminum is electrically conductive and has a high strength to weight ratio. As an expanded metal, aluminum is very strong with low density, making it ideal for many applications where reduced weight is critical.

Common applications include:

Titanium

Titanium mesh maximizes its desirable characteristics: lightweight construction, durability, and corrosion resistance. It can withstand exposure to saltwater, salts, nitric acid, chromic acid, chlorides, mildly alkaline fluids, and more.

Common applications include:

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is durable and corrosion resistant, making it a cost-effective material over time. It is often chosen for its modern, decorative finish, but also has high strength and can be annealed to improve formability in some applications.

Common applications include:

Monel

Monel is a specialty alloy that resists corrosion and damage from saltwater and moisture. It can withstand both low- and high-temperature steam, seawater, and hydrochloric acids. Monel is often selected for long-term use in marine and other saltwater environments.

Common applications include:

• Chemical Processing
• Hydrocarbon Processing
• Water Treatment

Nickel

Nickel resists damage from exposure to both acidic and alkaline substances. It can also be used near consumable and sensitive goods, and has excellent electrical conductivity.

Common applications include:

• Lithium Ion Batteries
• Electronic Components
• Filtration
• Synthetic Fiber Production
• Caustic Alkaline Substance Processing

Brass

Brass has a bright and colorful appearance and is often used for decoration or embellishment. It also resists abrasion and corrosion and has high strength.

Common applications include:

• Decorative Goods
• Electrical and Electronic Equipment
• Filtration and Ventilation Products

Phosphor Bronze

Phosphor bronze is high strength and outperforms both 65-35 yellow brass and 90-10 commercial bronze wire cloth. It is also ductile, making it useful for three-dimensional forms and bent or stretched products. Phosphor bronze is anti-microbial and non-magnetic.

Common applications include:

• Architectural Elements and Ornaments
• Liquid Filtration Systems
• Medical Devices
• Heat-Resistant Screens

Silver

Silver is a durable and visually brilliant material with a long service life. It also has good thermal and electrical conductivity characteristics and resists corrosion and oxidation. This precious metal is highly ductile and malleable.

Common applications include:

• Decorative or Ornamental Elements
• Filters
• Battery Components
• Medical Devices
• Electronic Devices

Expanded Metal From CThru Metals

CThru Metals specializes in high-quality, custom expanded metal foil materials with thicknesses down to 25 microns and open areas up to 90%. Contact us today to request a sample or to request a quote for your next project.