Company Announcement - The trend towards ‘zero harm’ in mining and general industry has resulted in an increased demand for expanded metal products that comply with SABS 190: Part 1 – 1983. In addition it is essential that manufacturers of such products adhere to ISO 9001 accreditation to ensure that proper quality control is maintained at all times. “There are questions one should ask of an expanded metal supplier before committing to the installation of these products,” Elaine van Rooyen, marketing manager at Andrew Mentis, says.

For example, Andrew Mentis regularly submits expanded metal samples to the South African Bureau of Standards, while its manufacturing facility is audited every six months to maintain current certification in order to verify that its products meet all criteria in terms of short way, thickness and bendability. “In all instances we subject our products to extremely stringent testing to ensure they are capable of withstanding specified loads without compromising on the structural integrity,” says van Rooyen. Both Mentex® and Flatex® are manufactured from high quality local mild steel, but can also be manufactured from any other ductile metal. While product is normally supplied unpainted, additional finishing processes such as painting, stove enamelling, plating and galvanising can be applied if need be. In addition, products can be produced in 3CR12 and stainless steel depending on the application.

A comprehensive range of sizes, mesh sizes and thicknesses is available. The mesh can be bent, shaped to radii, angled or notched while still maintaining its inherent rigidity. Sizes range from mini meshes with small openings of 1.4 mm by 2 mm and with a thickness of 0.4 mm to larger meshes with 115 mm by 300 mm openings and a 6 mm thickness. Corrosion resistant RS40 40 x 40 floor grating and handrailing from Andrew Mentis is available in 304, 316 and 3CR12 stainless steel and is ideally suited to harsh environments. These products are designed and engineered for optimum strength-to-weight ratio for applications where the integrity of the structure is critical. “Rectagrid is considered to have the highest load bearing capacity in the industry in terms of floor grating,” van Rooyen reveals.

Expanded metal products are used in a range of industries from mining to construction, petrochemical, food and beverage and general industry. Common applications are screens, grates, shelving, racks, protection guards, internal partitioning, burglar proofing, fencing, reinforcement, walkways, platforms and stairs, filters, dividers, scaffolding, truck bodies, tunnel and shaft linings, grain silos and even for aesthetic purposes. “The end result is a portfolio of products centred on quality and safety,” van Rooyen concludes.

EXPANDED METAL OVERVIEW PIC 01: Andrew Mentis regularly submits expanded metal samples to the SABS to verify that its products meet all criteria in terms of short way, thickness and bendability.

EXPANDED METAL OVERVIEW PIC 02: An example of an expanded metal enclosure at a mining plant. Expanded metal products are deployed in industries from mining to construction, petrochemical, food and beverage and general industry.