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Industry Standards

• ASTM A478/A478M - 17: This is an American Society for Testing and Materials standard. It specifies the requirements for expanded metal used in general applications. It covers aspects such as material specifications, dimensions, and tolerances. For example, it defines the allowable variations in hole size, strand width, and sheet size.
• EN 10244 - 2: This is a European standard. It deals with steel wire and wire products - expanded metal. It includes requirements for the mechanical properties of the metal, such as tensile strength and elongation. It also specifies the quality of the surface finish and the accuracy of the dimensions.
• GB/T 3641 - 2015: This is the national standard of the People's Republic of China for expanded metal. It stipulates the technical requirements, test methods, inspection rules, and marking, packaging, transportation, and storage of expanded metal. It details the different types and grades of expanded metal and their corresponding dimensional and property requirements.

Quality Control Methods

• Raw Material Testing: Before production, the raw materials (usually metal sheets) are tested. Their chemical composition is analyzed to ensure it meets the specified standards. For example, the carbon, manganese, and silicon content in steel sheets is checked. The mechanical properties, such as hardness and tensile strength, are also measured to ensure the material has the required strength and ductility.
• In - Process Inspection: During the production process, regular inspections are carried out. The expansion process is monitored to ensure the expansion ratio is correct. The hole size and strand width are measured at regular intervals to check if they are within the tolerance range. After the flattening process, the flatness of the expanded metal is inspected. This can be done by placing the sheet on a flat surface and checking for any visible gaps or unevenness.
• Final Product Inspection: After production, a comprehensive inspection of the final product is conducted. The dimensions of the flattened expanded metal are measured again to ensure they meet the standard requirements. The surface quality is carefully examined for any defects such as burrs, cracks, or scratches. The mechanical properties of the final product are also verified through tests such as tensile tests and bend tests to ensure it can withstand the intended use.
• Sampling and Statistical Process Control: Samples are taken at various stages of production for inspection. Statistical methods are used to analyze the data from these samples to detect any trends or variations in the production process. If the data shows that the process is going out of control (i.e., the quality characteristics are deviating from the target values), appropriate corrective actions are taken immediately to bring the process back into control.