Perforated Metals Guide

 

What is Perforated Metal?

Perforated metal, including perforated steel and aluminum, is sheet metal manufactured with patterned holes or slits, providing an increased aesthetic appeal for various industrial and commercial architectural applications. Perforated metal applications include enclosures, partitions, sign panels, guards, filters, screens, and more.

Why Metals are Perforated

Specialty architectural applications often require premium metal products that provide a practical and aesthetic advantage compared to standard metal designs. The design benefits of perforated aluminum and steel products are just one aspect of the overarching advantages that perforated metal can offer. Perforated metal and sheet products provide the following advantages:

• Aesthetic appeal
• Privacy
• Ambient lighting
• Sound diffusion
• Pressure equalization
• Energy efficiency
• High strength
• Versatility
• Durability

How is Perforated Metal Manufactured?

There are several tried and true methods of producing perforated metal, including punching and stamping. The process and types of perforations can vary depending on the application and the required solutions for the project’s aesthetic and performance enhancement specifications.

Metal Perforation Method

Aluminum, steel, and copper products are the most popular metals used in the perforation process. The thickness of the metal will determine the aggressiveness of the perforation process, even though the function and requirements of the final product play a significant part in determining the metal used. Conventional approaches to creating perforated metals include die, punch, and roller needles. Perforating methods include:

• Die and punch
• Laser
• Plasma
• Water jet
• Rotary pinned
• Nibbling

Hot or Cold Rolled Perforated Metal

The process of rotary pinned perforation can be hot or cold. In the hot process, the pin rollers are heated, producing holes with increased tensile strength. Cold rotary pinned perforation is performed on thinner and more ductile materials and creates punctures that have a volcanic appearance.

Perforated Sheet Material Options

Perforated sheet is available in several material options depending on your application and the benefits you want. Stainless steel and aluminum are the most popular perforated sheet material options. However, depending on the application, several other metals can also be used, including alloy steel, copper, nickel, and brass.

Perforated Stainless Steel

Stainless steel provides many admirable qualities, including advanced corrosion resistance, strength, and aesthetic appeal. The chromium content within stainless steel provides corrosion resistance, making it a highly sought-after perforated sheet option.

Perforated Aluminum

Aluminum is lightweight, durable, and highly malleable, making it easy to install. Like stainless steel, aluminum also provides an enhanced aesthetic appeal that makes it highly desirable for applications that require light and sound diffusion.

Perforated Steel

Steel alloy perforated sheet products are commonly used for commercial and industrial applications that do not require enhanced aesthetics. Standard steel offers a lower-cost alternative to stainless steel with similar benefits.

Perforated Nickel

Nickel’s outstanding strength and toughness are superior to most metals and are why it is so valued for indoor and outdoor construction applications. Perforated nickel can be used in wet, moist, and humid environments and can withstand extreme temperatures.

Perforated Brass

Brass is composed of zinc and copper and delivers various benefits, including increased strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance. Brass’ visual qualities and enhanced aesthetic appeal allow it to be used for commercial, industrial, and architectural applications.

Perforated Copper

Copper is commonly used for interior and exterior design work, delivering a corrosion-resistant outer surface when exposed to elements, portraying a greenish tint. Perforated copper provides exclusive visual aesthetics that appeal to various tastes.

Perforated Metal Industrial Applications

Perforated metal products are effortless to cut and fabricate, allowing them to be used for a wide range of industrial applications.

Architecture & Construction

By allowing airflow, perforated metal panels make the perfect sunshades, stair treads, railing panels, privacy screens, partitions, fences, awnings, picnic tables, and more. It also lends itself to artistic and creative uses, such as signs, building trim, and sculpture.

Industrial

Perforated metal is helpful for machine guards, grills, baskets, panels, partitions, racks, straining, screening, sorting, pressure equalization, soundproofing, and filtering.

Transportation

Oil and water filters, silencers, grilles, running boards, flooring, and engine ventilation are all applications of perforated metal.

Food & Beverage

Perforated metal is invaluable in applications such as dryers, sorters, ventilators, screens, cheese molds, juice presses, and baking trays.

Perforated Metal Sheet & Plate Size Options

Industrial Metal Supply stocks perforated metal sheet in ten unique perforation patterns and various gauges and materials, including aluminum, steel, and stainless steel. We carry pre-cut sizes from 24” x 36” up to 48” x 120”, or choose our cut-to-size service for a custom width/length. We also carry perforated aluminum corrugated sheet.

The IMS Difference

What separates IMS from other metals companies? With an abundance of metal options and customer service that is second to none, IMS has you covered with the following service advantages:

• Next-day delivery of processed material via our trucks
• Same-day pick-up in Will-Call
• No minimum purchase
• Support of Just-in-Time manufacturing processes
• Salespeople that act as an extension of your purchasing department (we will get any metal products you need)
• Material management (stocking and delivery on a scheduled basis)
• Credit lines with good terms
• Knowledgeable staff that knows metal

 
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Delivering Premium Perforated Metal Throughout Southern CA, Arizona & Nevada

Industrial Metal Supply is your trusted supplier of high-quality, in-stock perforated metal sheet and plate products, including perforated aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, brass, nickel, and more. Get in touch with our sales team for world-class metal products and services today.