Expanded Polymers

PPG aerospace engineered materials dexmet expanded polymers

POLYGRID® Precision Expanded Polymers

Our expanded polymer solutions are widely used in advanced filtration systems, particularly in the semiconductor, medical, gas, and oil industries.

DEXMET® Polymer Product Line:

PolyGrid logo

About PolyGrid Expanded Polymers

PolyGrid precision-expanded polymers from Dexmet engineered materials are used in ultra-pure filters, most commonly in the semiconductor industry where resistance to high temperatures and caustic chemicals is essential. Other uses include the medical, gas, oil and pharmaceutical industries. However, the flexibility of our expanded plastics allows PolyGrid material to be used in many other applications. Dexmet PolyGrid material is available in most polymers, or we can work with your proprietary materials. We have a room designed to comply as a Class 10,000 room.

Plastics regularly produced include:

  • Fluoroplastics: PTFE, PFA and ECTFE
  • Polyesters (Thermoplastic): PET, PETP, PBTP
  • Polysulfones
  • Polyvinyls
  • High Temp Plastics: PEEK, Nylons:
    A range of standard diamond mesh sizes from .020” to 1.2” is available. The number of openings per square inch can vary from 25 to as many as 11,000, with an open area range from 10% to 90%. The variable open area facilitates lamination with a variety of other materials including those which expand, contract and flex. Designing a precision expanded plastic material with unique characteristics is our specialty. PPG's extensive manufacturing resources can accommodate many variations for plastic materials in a range of finished thicknesses.

PolyGrid flexibility and its unique properties allow our expanded polymers to be used in a number of applications.

Configurations and Specifications

Dexmet precision expanded and perforated plastics offer superior performance and material savings for a range of materials and applications.

VIEW CHART IN INCHES   |    VIEW CHART IN MILLIMETERS

Explore Our Other Technology

perforated foils
Perforated Materials
When your application requires thinner gauges, lower open areas, or specific hole geometries, explore perforated materials. Discover a complementary solution for aerospace, energy storage, filtration and beyond.
Expanded Metals
Our expanded metal solutions are widely used in the aerospace, electrochemical, medical, and automotive industries that require precision open-area metals to improve their end products.
Dexmet technology
Manufacturing Technologies
Want to understand what makes our materials unique? Explore the technology behind our precision expanding process and see how exacting conductivity, weight and dimensional requirements are achieved.

Similar to a Class 10,000 Clean Room

Dexmet utilizes a Similar to a Class 10,000 Clean Room for manufacturing expanded polymers to reduce the amount of contaminants.  Many Flouropolymers, like PTFE, FEP and PFAs, build up static electricity on the surface of the material which attracts contaminant. By expanding, stabilizing and packaging these polymers within in the clean room environment, minimizes the prescence of FOB being introduced into the end product.  

Processing & Value Added Services

Dexmet’s process variations can meet your requirements for open-area polymer qualities, including thickness, strength, and ease of material handling. The samples below demonstrate the interesting versatility of our expanded plastics. Please be sure to note the availability of Dexmet’s specialized manufacturing features.

Stabilization Process - P/N Reference "ST"

Dexmet has developed a stabilization process that provides dimensional stability after the expansion process.  Expanded polymers, especially flouropolymers, have a tendency to resort back to their original form after expansion because of their elastic properties.  The stabilization process is a procedure that uses heat to remove the plasticity of the polymer and remove any stresses brought about by the expansion process.

Flattened Product - P/N Reference "F"

The flattening process reduces material thickness back down to the original thickness of the raw material and creates a smoother mesh surface that’s similar to perforated metal. Pocket depth is also reduced or eliminated. In some cases, the material can be flattened, or "reduced", below the original raw material thickness which can slightly improve the strength of the material. Please consult the company for further information on flattening.

Distex Brick Process - P/N Reference "DB"

Pulling the mesh after expanding can result in several desirable features. Pulling changes the shape of the opening. It increases the overall thickness in most configurations, and can increase the stiffness or tensile strength. Distex Brick material has a more symmetrical opening for conductivity in the LWD & SWD directions and also provides a more geometric shape with deeper pockets, excellent for accepting more filler or coating. 

Double Distex Brick - P/N Reference "DDB"

Double pulling of the material changes the shape, so that the long way of the opening runs with the coil. Double pulling can also be used to change the symmetry of the electrical conductivity.

Die Cut/EDM Cut Parts

Customers frequently turn to us to provide a finished piece, blanked to specification. Dexmet corporation blanks parts from MicroGrid® materials for some of the most critical applications, and we are always prepared to discuss your needs.

Packaging & Delivery Systems

Whether our unique, recyclable blue spools; special splicing; weight and outer-diameter criteria; or just-in-time delivery is called for, we’ll work with you to ensure that your MicroGrid arrives when, where and how you want it.

Other Value-Added Services

Dexmet engineers are always ready to assist you with your unique product development or process integration issues.

We can also help with your overseas requirements, from crating to customs and freight forwarding. Let us assist with your MicroGrid® product.