Helpful hints for buying wire mesh

Since , Edward J. Darby & Son, Inc. has been an industry leader in the global wire mesh market. From our custom manufacturing capabilities to our extremely robust and varied inventory, Darby is a fixture in the wire mesh industry and remains a preferred source for both large industrial users and small fabrication shops, alike. In keeping with the changing global marketplace and listening to the challenges many of our customers face, we would like to take this opportunity to share four (4) tips for keeping your wire mesh costs down.

With competitive price and timely delivery, gaite sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Edward J. Darby & Son, Inc. has developed a list of answers to some of the most asked questions we have received over the years. For questions and answers not discussed here, please contact us for more information. For questions related to wire mesh, please visit the wire mesh glossary or the wire mesh overview pages.

Do you offer blind shipments & drop shipments?

Edward J. Darby & Son, Inc. has been a major player in the wire mesh industry for over 160 years, and as a result, we have earned a reputation for honesty and trust. To that end, Darby offers both blind shipments and drop shipments. These special shipments ship directly from our facility to our customer&#;s customer, which saves both of them time and money. Blind shipments are ideal for customers who do not want to reveal the source&#;s name to their customers. We have worked with UPS and various motor freight carriers to enhance our customized blind shipment program. This program allows us to set up and schedule blind shipments and keep sensitive information private. We routinely use generic shipping labels and can easily use our customer&#;s own, if desired.

What is your cancellation policy?

Once an order is placed &#; verbally, via purchase order, or through e-commerce&#;Darby immediately begins to fill your order. Darby requests that you double check your specifications, quantity and dimensions before placing your order.

Orders that can be cancelled may be subject to a minimum cancellation charge of 25%. However, certain orders, including custom manufacturing, fabricated parts and cut-to-size pieces, are non-cancellable.

What is your chemical & physical certification policy?

Edward J. Darby & Son, Inc. can offer chemical and/or physical certification for most any woven or welded wire mesh. A request for Darby&#;s standard chemical and/or physical certification must be clearly stated on your official written purchase order. Unfortunately, in most cases, we are unable to provide certifications more than 60 days after the order ships.

For any non-standard or specialized certification, including, but not limited to, statements of DFAR and/or USA manufacture, Country of Melt, ROHS compliance, Conflict of Materials (Dodd-Frank), LEED, magnetic permeability, or a particular industrial specification, the request must be clearly communicated in the original request for quote (RFQ) and clearly stated on the official purchase order. In order to comply with these special certification requests, additional charges may apply. Please speak to a sales person or a quality control representative for more information.

What is your damaged shipment policy?

Upon receipt of your wire mesh shipment, it is the customer&#;s responsibility to inspect the package for any external damage. If external damage is found, the delivery receipt and other associated paperwork must note the damage before accepting the delivery. A photo in these instances is highly recommended. After opening the package, if the material is damaged, a claim must be made with the carrier. Filing the claim and requesting an inspection in a prompt fashion are the responsibilities of the customer.

Do you offer expediting services?

Darby understands that there are times when our customers &#;need material yesterday.&#; As a result, we offer numerous expediting services including same day shipments, rush delivery, pick-ups, and expediting fabrication. Because of our extensive inventory and devoted staff, we routinely ship stock material out the day your order is placed. We utilize UPS World Ship which allows us to ship material out Express Critical, Next Day Air, Second Day Air and UPS Ground. We also work closely with various motor freight carriers and same day courier services to make sure our customers receive material when it is needed. Surcharges may apply to some expediting requests; please contact us with your expediting requirements.

Because we understand today&#;s business climate, Darby also provides quick turnaround on most quotations.

What are your quality standards?

Most wire mesh that Darby supplies adheres to the standard specification for industrial woven wire cloth, namely ASTM-E-11. It is important for any purchaser of wire mesh and wire cloth to be familiar with this specification, which can be accessed online at www.astm.org. This specification discusses quality standards within the wire mesh industry.

ASTM E--11 states that wire cloth &#;shall be woven with first-class workmanship, although some blemishes or defects are inherent in the weaving process.&#; Darby understands its role as a major supplier of wire mesh and wire cloth and abides by a specially designed quality initiative that aims to consistently provide its customers with high quality wire mesh.

Wire mesh is an industrial product and is intended for use in industrial applications, where functionality is the primary objective. Because mesh is an extremely versatile product, it is often used in applications not related to industrial use, for example in instances where appearance is critical.

Generally speaking, Darby is unable to guarantee perfect, or defect-free, material. Blemishes or defects are inherent in the weaving process and are virtually impossible to avoid. We encourage all customers who may have stringent quality requirements to discuss them with a sales representative and to review the permissible blemishes detailed in ASTM E--11, if applicable. We routinely work with these types of customers and have been largely successful in meeting their requirements.

What are your quantity tolerances?

Most wire mesh that Darby supplies adheres to the standard specification for industrial woven wire cloth, namely ASTM-E-11. It is important for any purchaser of wire mesh and wire cloth to be familiar with this specification, which can be accessed online at www.astm.org. This specification discusses tolerances in the wire mesh industry, in detail.

Two of the more popular discussion points related to quantity tolerance are full roll purchases and fabricated parts.

ASTM E--11 designates that a standard roll shall be 100 linear feet, +/- 10 linear feet; the roll may consist of up to three pieces, no pieces less than 10 linear feet. For example, an acceptable roll can consist of 1 piece, 50 feet, 1 piece, 30 feet, and 1 piece, 20 feet.

On custom manufactured items, including, but not limited to discs, cut-to-size pieces, and fabricated parts, there is a quantity variance of +/- 10%. All other variances must be agreed to prior to the acceptance of a purchase order.

Should a customer have any specific quantity tolerances, it should be discussed with Darby. For a more detailed look into tolerances, please visit www.astm.org.

What is your return policy?

From its inception in to today, Edward J. Darby & Son, Inc. has been committed to supplying high quality, industrial grade wire mesh. After receiving material and before cutting to size, fabricating or shipping, it is important that Darby&#;s customer inspect material to confirm it is received as ordered. Darby is unable to accept a return on any mesh that has been processed or modified.

Should the quality of mesh be in question, the disparity must be noted in writing within 10 days of delivery date. At that point, Darby will have the option to issue a Return Goods Authorization with shipping instructions. The customer is responsible for shipping costs back to Darby, unless the dispute is an error in Darby&#;s fulfillment of the order.

Darby reserves the right to inspect material before issuing credit, refund or replacement. Darby will inspect the material for non-conformance, including tolerances, defects and blemishes referenced in ASTM E--11, or other applicable industrial standards. After inspection, should the material not conform to the applicable industrial standard, Darby issue a refund for /replacement of material and reasonable transportation costs.

Full, unprocessed, rolls that are authorized for return will be subject to a restocking fee. Darby may be unable to accept returns on incorrectly ordered items, mesh that has been cut, fabricated parts or custom manufactured items.

Do you offer special packaging requirements?

Often times, users of wire mesh require special packaging for their material. Some of the more popular packing requirements include: individually packaged and marked shipments, flat shipments, shipment with extra protection, consolidated shipments and customized boxed. Please contact us to discuss your special packaging requirements. Extra charges may apply.

Do you offer wire mesh analysis?

If you have a piece of mesh that you are looking to identify or even replicate, look no further than Edward J. Darby & Son, Inc. Our team of knowledgeable and experienced technicians has the ability to identify virtually any woven or welded mesh you may have.

We commonly identify mesh count, diameter wire, opening size and percentage of open area. We are happy to offer this service, free of charge. We also have the capabilities to distinguish specific alloys and chemical compositions; additional charges for this service may apply.

Can you make specific wire mesh recommendations?

This website has been designed with the goal of providing website visitors with all of the detailed information we have learned from our broad range of customers over the years. More importantly, this website has been developed to serve as a guide to assist in the decision making process for the purchase of wire mesh.

We are unable to make specific wire mesh recommendations for a specific application. If you are unsure about what mesh will work best in your application, we suggest sampling, prototyping or speaking to an expert or engineer in your particular industry.

Sample Policy

To learn about our Sample Policy, please visit here:

More Information Sample Policy

Expanded metal mesh foil offers superior conductivity or resistivity while providing strength and light weight. It has many advantages compared to perforated metal and wire/woven mesh, and its use is beneficial in varying applications.

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What is the strongest wire mesh?

If you want to learn more, please visit our website welded wire mesh supplier.

The main differences between each product type are the manufacturing process, the intended end-use, and the characteristics of the material. Expanded metal foil has unique properties that outperform other perforated and woven wire metals, such as:

• Enhanced Stability
• Increased Strength
• Excellent Conductivity
• Reduced Waste Generation

Expanded mesh is the preferred material choice in many industries due to the material&#;s ability to allow air, light, and fluid to pass through. The uniform diamond pattern creates structural integrity during fabrication, mitigating the risk of unraveling during manufacturing, which is often the case with woven mesh products.

The many advantages of expanded metal foil make it an ideal material choice that is lightweight, durable, and cost-effective.

Custom Expanded Mesh Solutions

When choosing an expanded metal mesh company, it is important to partner with one that can help identify your specific needs and requirements.

To develop a customized product, you should be prepared to provide your supplier with the following information during the quoting process. A detailed estimate can indicate whether the company can offer a high-quality custom expanded metal mesh solution within your specified time constraints.

Below is the information your supplier will need to produce your custom solution:

Type of Raw Material Alloy

When selecting the right expanded metal mesh material, it is crucial to consider the requirements and constraints of your application, which can include:

• Cost
• Corrosion Resistance
• Density
• Hardness
• Yield Strength
• Tensile Strength
• Elongation
• Magnetism
• Bend Rating

Each type of raw material alloy offers unique benefits and properties to meet your project&#;s specifications.

Raw Material Thickness

Modern technologies allow for the enhanced expansion of metals. Today&#;s expanded metal mesh foil is capable of expanding as thin as 25 microns or 0.001&#;.

Coil Width

Custom expanding and leveling equipment is capable of expanding metal foil as wide as 1 meter or more, or 40+ inches.

Raw Expand Length

Expanded metal is the perfect solution for applications in which weight limitations apply since it is much thinner than other open-area materials. Long coil lengths are possible &#; only limited by the weight of the finished coil and raw material availability.

Mesh Configuration

The primary measurements of expanded metal mesh include:

• Strand Width (SW): The amount of material that needs to be slit from the parent substrate to create the opening.
• Short Way of the Diamond (SWD): The distance from the center of one joint to the center of the adjacent joint across the short axis of the diamond.
• Long Way of the Diamond (LWD): The distance from the center of one joint to the center of the adjacent joint across the diamond&#;s long axis.

Leveling

If your application requires the use of leveled materials, you should provide the thickness of the flattened material, known as the manufactured material thickness.

Gathering the pertinent information for measurements and specifications of your project will allow the supplier to provide an accurate quote.

Expanded Metal Mesh &#; How It's Made

Expanded metals manufacturing follows this three-step process:

1. An operator feeds the raw material into the metal expanding machinery.
2. The machinery slits and stretches the material to the desired shape and thickness specifications, per the customer&#;s requirements. The manufacturing process is compatible with a broad range of metals and polymers, including titanium, nickel, silver, aluminum, and copper, depending upon the intended use.
3. After exiting the machinery, the material is rewound to ensure simple delivery and application.

CThru Metals can cut metal foils to varying shapes and thicknesses using precision proprietary expanding technology. The customer&#;s requirements determine the expanded metal&#;s overall configuration.

Materials

The manufacturing of expanded metal mesh is compatible with a broad range of polymers and metals, each with unique properties suitable for varying environments and applications. Products produced from sheet metal include:

• Copper expanded mesh
• Titanium expanded mesh
• Aluminum expanded mesh
• Steel and stainless-steel expanded mesh

Some of the other materials we use to manufacture expanded metal mesh products include:

• Nickel
• Monel (nickel, alloy)
• Plastic
• Teflon
• Brass
• Phosphor Bronze
• Silver

Where Is Expanded Metal Mesh Used?

Expanded metal foil is an ideal solution for almost any industry that requires high-strength mesh materials. The versatile material is sufficiently resilient, durable, and conductive to support various systems and products.
Some examples of common applications include:

Lightning Strike Protection

Expanded metal mesh foil is a valuable resource for the wind turbine and aerospace industries. The material provides superior lightning strike protection when embedded into composite structures and surfaces, such as wind turbines and aircraft. After a lightning strike, the lightweight material dissipates the electrical energy without adding significant extra weight to the existing structure. It provides a conductive path that protects the composite from lightning-induced damage such as delamination or burns.

The single unit material does not unravel or fray and offers consistent conductivity over large surface areas. With hundreds of configurations to choose from, the expanded metal mesh can withstand a Zone 1 Strike of 200,000 amps.

EMI Shielding

When used in electronics applications, expanded metal creates a shield against electromagnetic interference (EMI). The material&#;s uniform, electrically continuous surface provides consistent EMI shielding in computers, gaskets, and other electronic components.

Unlike woven or knit meshes, expanded metal foils offer effective shielding and predictable conductivity over a broad range of frequencies. Common applications include:

• Shielded Enclosure
• Laminated Structures
• Gaskets
• Cable Shielding
• Ventilation Screens

Renewable Energy

New technology advancements in the renewable energy sector implement the use of expanded metal for its unique properties and shielding capabilities. In fuel cell and battery applications, expanded metals are utilized in everything from catalyst support to flow distribution.

Filtration

The automotive industry utilizes expanded metal as a primary support structure in oil filtration, airbag inflators, and hydraulic systems. Effective in various industrial applications, expanded metal materials are durable enough to provide filter media and media support.

CThru Metals can work with your specific application requirements to select a metal or polymer with geometries that offer primary filtration or work as media support for fine particle filtration cartridges. Choosing the proper material increases the filter lifespan while maximizing efficiency and reducing internal corrosion.

Choose CThru Metals For Your Expanded Metal Mesh Needs

We have extensive capabilities to manufacture custom expanded metal mesh foil in varying thicknesses, shapes, and configurations to meet your specific application requirements.

As an industry leader in innovative expanded metal foil solutions, we offer competitive pricing and faster lead times utilizing custom expanded metal manufacturing equipment capable of operating twice as fast as standardized equipment.

Our free white paper describes the expanded metal mesh process further. Download a free copy here and learn more about our custom expanded metal mesh capabilities.

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