Stainless Perforated or Stainless Expanded Metal for Slip Resistant Catwalks?

When considering a product for catwalks within your food processing facility it is important to weigh the benefits and disadvantages of both.  Non-slip stainless steel is the ideal alloy for food and beverage plants, keeping workers on their feet even when flooring is wet.  Stainless expanded metal  and perforated plate both provide filtration and are easily installed over existing metal catwalks, particularly those made of grating.

How do you decide which product to use?  The first step in choosing a product is identifying the main characteristics and differences between both.  Perforated metal is metal plate in which perforations have been blanked out of the metal.  Expanded metal is a form of metal stock made by shearing a metal plate in a press, so that the metal stretches, leaving diamond-shaped voids surrounded by interlinked bars of the metal. The most common method of manufacture is to simultaneously slit and stretch the material with one motion.  Perforated plate is punched and expanded metal is cut.  Both materials have different load ratings and those depend on the style and alloy used.  Another difference is the weight; expanded metal tends to be lighter than perforated plate.

The stainless expanded metal and perforated styles serve similar purposes: allowing light, air and liquids to filter through.  Stainless steel expanded metal can be easily tack welded onto an existing catwalk and will not add a lot of weight.   Stainless steel perforated plate can be utilized in a similar way, with different hole patterns to match individual applications.

SLIPNOT manufactures slip resistant stainless expanded metal and perforated plate in several styles that are custom cut to your dimensions.  Materials can be formed to meet requirements, such as additional kick plates and other fabrication needs.

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