The Dexmet Blog

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement with private equity firm Sverica Capital Management LP to acquire Dexmet Corporation, a manufacturer of specialty materials for surfaces in aerospace, automotive and industrial applications. The company is a leader in several critical application areas, including aircraft lightning strike protection. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter 2019, subject to customary closing conditions. Financial terms were not disclosed. “The acquisition of Dexmet will enable PPG to provide further value to our customers by enhancing our range of product offerings, expanding our research and development capabilities, and increasing our market reach across PPG’s aerospace, automotive and industrial coatings businesses,” said Michael McGarry, PPG chairman and chief executive officer. Dexmet, headquartered in Wallingford, Connecticut, was founded in 1948. The company specializes in customized, highly-engineered, expanded and perforated metal foils and polymers used for mission-critical applications in aerospace, energy storage, and other industrial applications. Dexmet employs approximately 75 people. “The Dexmet team is excited to become part of the PPG family," said Timothy Poor, Dexmet chief executive officer. "PPG's technological leadership and commitment to innovation aligns well with Dexmet and will enable us to significantly broaden the solution set we bring to our customers." “Dexmet’s leadership in aerospace surface technologies will provide strategic additions to the broad portfolio of aerospace coatings we deliver today, and PPG’s research and development team will leverage Dexmet’s expertise in ultra-thin metal mesh foil and polymer mesh across the markets we serve,” said Daniel Korte, PPG global vice president, aerospace. “In addition, Dexmet’s customer-focused business model is highly complementary to PPG’s business, allowing for a seamless integration process.” PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™ At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty materials that our customers have trusted for more than 135 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $15.4 billion in 2018. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com. The original press release can be found on the PPG Website, please visit the PPG website to read the original press release in it's entirety.

JEC World 2019

By: Eric Toro February 28th, 2019

The 2019 JEC World Trade Show and Conference is the largest composites event in the world, to be held at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center, in Paris, France on March 12-14, 2019. The JEC trade show and exhibit bring together more than 1,300 exhibitors from over 115 countries, has over 43,000 visitors/attendees, includes 27 regional and international pavilions, and over 150 conference sessions that feature and discuss many of the established and new materials, machinery, services, software, and services that are shaping the global composites industry today. Those attending JEC World will be focusing on what it considers the hottest topics in the industry: additive manufacturing, aerospace, architecture and construction, automotive, simulation/design, sports, and leisure. Dexmet has proudly exhibited at JEC for close to a decade, each year our focus is to help those attending understand the resources and innovation that companies like Dexmet pour into research and the development of new materials that are implemented and used in the growing field of composites. Dexmet has spent considerable effort in the development and fabricating of expanded materials that are used by manufacturers of composite materials and end-products that are engineered and implemented in automotive, aerospace, cathodic protection, shielding, and power applications in both the commercial and consumer space. The JEC show floor will also have four “Innovation Planets”. These are highly focused display areas featuring aerospace, auto and transport, construction and energy, sports and life style (which includes energy, sustainability, medical and other markets). The Planets allow companies or R&D centers to present novel and innovative parts or finished products to OEMs and suppliers visiting the show and reflect the latest trends in each industry area. Many of the companies that are showcasing their finished or end-products have sought out solutions from Dexmet to help implement expanded materials in their composites to create materials that are lighter, resistant to lightning strikes, provide protection from outside sources of electromagnetic interference (EMI shielding), and that can conform readily to complex surfaces. One of the best features of the show is the Composites Industry Circles, the goal is to unite decision makers in the global automotive, aerospace and construction industries around the development of composite materials in their respective sector and to provide end users with the latest information, trends and experience on composite materials from the entire value chain. Dexmet is at the forefront working with many industry leaders in the aerospace, and automotive sectors in the development of materials that are designed for use in the protection of composite-based aircraft, aircraft components, and hybrid-composites wind blades. This year there are also six technical conferences, that span a three-day period. To learn more about the conference click on this link JEC technical conferences. We at Dexmet hope that you enjoy the JEC Conference, and we wish to extend a warm invite for those who wish to attend, please head to: http://registration.jec-world.events/Compte.aspx?idlangue=en&action=te to register for JEC World 2019, when registering, you will see words: Promotional code, just enter “EXPFREEJW19VF”, no quotes for your free registration to JEC World 2019. Remember to stop by Dexmet and get a chance to talk to our team. Dexmet will be at stand# L58, in Hall 5.

Role of Suppliers in Product Design

By: admin January 9th, 2019

For the last quarter century, the Renaissance in manufacturing has depended on innovative and superior designs that let producers excel in terms of product quality, delivery and performance. The pressure on manufacturers to continue this positive trend will almost certainly increase as global competition becomes more intense and raw materials more costly.

Dexmet upgrades to AS9100:D and ISO 9001:2015 Certification.

By: Eric Toro December 10th, 2018

In keeping with our mission to become the recognized worldwide leader for foil gauge expanded metal and thin film expanded polymers, Dexmet Corporation is proud to announce that we have received AS9100:D and ISO 9001:2015 Certification for the aviation, aerospace, and defense industries. The company subscribes to the standard’s requisite features, including risk management and configuration control, while maintaining a proactive commitment toward customer satisfaction.

Dexmet Announces Launch of New Website

By: Eric Toro November 13th, 2018

Dexmet Corporation, a manufacturer of precision expanded open area materials for aerospace, automotive, power, structural and industrial applications launches a new website to help engineers find the information they need regarding expanded materials and its implementation in commercial applications.

Advanced Battery Material | EMI Shielding | Expanded Foils | Expanded Metals | Lightning Strike Protection

Slit and Stretch: How Expanded Metals Are Made

By: Moe Rahamat June 21st, 2018

Engineers who want to maximize the performance of their end products need to source the best materials for manufacturing. From aircraft and battery manufacturers to automotive and microelectronics manufacturers, engineers are experiencing the benefits of utilizing expanded metals as a superior alternative to woven wire or perforated products.

Carbon Fiber | Expanded Foils | Lightning Strike Protection

Why Superior Lightning Strike Protection Is Vital In Aerospace

By: Brett Macdonald June 14th, 2018

On July 22nd, British Airways flight BA-35 departed from London. Nine hours later, the Boeing 787 arrived in India, along with 46 new holes to its body from a lightning strike. Though the plane arrived safely and no passengers were ever at risk, it was unable to make its return flight back to London. British Airways had to book alternative flights for the passengers scheduled for that flight.

Battery Electrodes | Expanded Foils | Primary Battery

Advanced Primary Battery Electrode Design: Adopting Expanded Metal Foils

By: Eric Toro April 19th, 2018

Though the attention given to secondary batteries is greater than ever, 90% of the $50 billion battery market is still comprised of primary batteries. It’s no surprise that these non-rechargeable batteries are so prominent – primary batteries play a key role in military, medical and automotive applications.

Expanded Foils | Fuel Cells

Expanded Metal Mesh: An Ideal Component in Fuel Cell Design

By: Eric Toro February 6th, 2018

Fuel cell manufacturers are always focused on improving their product’s versatility, durability and cost. From new designs to new materials, there are many ways in which you may go about improving your product in these regards. And many fuel cell manufacturers are choosing to implement expanded metal mesh into their fuel cell designs to those ends. From foils measuring just 50 microns thick in precious foils made of nickel, titanium, zirconium and silver, expanded metal mesh offers many instrumental design benefits. This post will walk you through those advantages, and detail how it can work to improve the performance or cost of your fuel cell applications.

Thermal Interface Materials

Don’t Overheat: Thermal Interface Materials Protect Your Product

By: Eric Toro January 30th, 2018

When they operate, electronic components produce heat. And if they become too hot, they can degrade the function of their devices. These products must be able to manage heat to maintain reliable, long-term function. Thermal dissipation and management is the means by which electronics maintain workable temperatures.

EMI | EMI Shielding | Expanded Foils

Protect Your Electronics With Formable EMI Shielding

By: admin January 23rd, 2018

Every single day, we encounter electromagnetic interference, also known as EMI. Garbled conversations and dropped cell phone calls; The "noise" your radio makes when you drive under power lines; crackles on your phone lines during lightning storms. EMI can create inconveniences, but there are much more dire repercussions to EMI.

Advanced Battery Material | Battery Electrodes | Precision Expanded Foils

3 Emerging Battery Manufacturing Technologies

By: Eric Toro January 16th, 2018

With the long-lagging lithium ion battery still dominating our devices. the battery market is working tirelessly to create a faster, safer, cheaper and more powerful future. While batteries have always taken a backseat to more prominent technology, the slimmest of devices still depend on them. And they might be the most outdated component within these groundbreaking innovations. While rechargeable lithium ion is the lightest of the metal elements, most modern devices (and their users) have much to gain from a transformation in the battery market. For starters, their flammability and safety concerns have ruined product launches and tainted the reputations of their brands (hello Samsung and Galaxy Note 7).

Advanced Battery Material | Aerospace Technology

Dexmet Expanded Metals Mentioned as Cost-Reduction Solution for Tesla Batteries

By: admin July 8th, 2016

As Tesla tries to introduce their electric supercars to a broader market, they will need to reduce the cost of their batteries. In this post, titled "Tesla Motors Inc Needs Significant Cost Reductions on Batteries (TSLA)", Victor Alagbe, writing for learnbonds.com, shares his belief that Dexmet expanded metals could be a cost-reduction solution. Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) needs to reduce the cost of batteries if it wants to sell the Model 3 for a price that is affordable for the masses. Tesla will begin taking pre-orders for the Model 3 on March 31 as part of a grand plan to take EVs to the mainstream market. Tesla’s Model 3 is an affordable EV priced at $35,000 before tax incentives and it preorder requires a $1,000 deposit. The car will be a sedan, about 20% smaller in size than the Model S and it will have a mileage of at least 200 miles on a single charge. The firm has been tight-lipped about what to expect from the Model 3 but we have enough hints, leaks and rumors to paint a fairly- accurate picture of the Model 3.

Value Proposition for microgrid expanded metal foil

By: admin June 28th, 2016

On April 28, 2016, Mr. John Hart, Business Development Manager Power Technologies at Dexmet Corporation, delivered the following presentation: "Value Proposition for MicroGrid Expanded Metal Foil" at the Hannover Messe Group Exhibit Hydrogen + Fuel Cells + Batteries held at Hannover Messe Exhibitions Grounds, Hanover, Germany.

Dexmet at the EMC 2016 Show in Ottawa Canada

By: admin June 28th, 2016

Dexmet will be exhibiting this year at the IEEE International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility, July 25-29, 2016 held at the Shaw Center, Ottawa Canada Hall. Dexmet will be located in booth# 726 and we will be introducing Mark Graf, Business Development Industrial Technologies. Mark will be interested in speaking to the attendees on the benefits of our material in new shielding applications.

SAMPE Baltimore 2015

By: admin August 20th, 2015

While this trade show was held a few months back in May of 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland, engineers from various aircraft manufacturers paid us a visit to get samples of our MicroGrid® thin expanded metal foils for upcoming programs that they are working on. Enjoy the photos.

Dexmet Expanded Foils - Anode and Cathode Materials

By: admin July 2nd, 2015

Explaining Expanded Metal Foils in Fuel Cell and Battery Applications

By: admin May 22nd, 2015

Recently, the team at Dexmet was at the Hannover Messe 2015 Group Exhibit, Hydrogen + Fuel Cells + Batteries held at the Hannover Messe Fairgrounds, in Laatzen, Germany, April 13-17, 2015.

Dexmet to exhibit at The Battery Show, September 16-18, 2014

By: admin August 1st, 2014

Dexmet has taken “Expanding Technology” to the next generation of advancements, our MicroGrid® micro-mesh precision expanded material is infinitely variable, produced with smaller holes than anyone else and is thinner than any expanded material in the marketplace.

Dexmet to exhibit at new CAMX show, October 14-16, 2014

By: admin August 1st, 2014

Dexmet's expanded lightning strike division will be exhibiting at this year's CAMX (The Composites and Advanced Materials Expo) Show in Florida at the Orange County Convention Center, October 14-16, 2014. The focus will be on lighter weight, ultra thin expanded copper and aluminum.

Dexmet at the Hydrogen & Fuel Cells Exhibit in Hannover, Germany | April 2014

By: admin May 5th, 2014

The Dexmet team exhibiting at Group Exhibit Hydrogen + Fuel Cells at Hannover Messe which was held at the Hannover Messe Fairgrounds in Laatzen, Germany from Monday, April 7th to Friday, April 11, 2014.

Interview with Bob Bochman By AirInsight

By: admin January 31st, 2014

This Interview with the president of Dexmet appeared a few months back in the AirInsight website, a commercial aviation consultancy. We thought that we would post it here as well but we have also posted the link to the original interview before the article:

State of Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Industry in CT - 2014

By: admin January 23rd, 2014

SAFT powers first hybrid tractor

By: admin December 6th, 2013

Saft Lithium-ion battery system is being used to power the first hybrid tractor for moving large aircraft between hangars and passenger gates at airports, as reported in the Autumn 2013 edition of bestmagazine.

Loctite EA 9845 LC Aero with lightning strike protection

By: admin November 8th, 2013

Henkel launches surfacing film with improved properties for aircraft - Henkel Press Release 11/5/2013

Airbus and Japan Airlines sign their first ever order

By: admin October 31st, 2013

Article published on aviatime.com Japan Airlines (JAL) has signed a purchase agreement for 31 A350 XWBs (18 A350-900s and 13 A350-1000s), plus options for a further 25 aircraft. This is JAL’s first ever order for Airbus aircraft. It is also the first order Airbus has received from Japan for the A350 XWB, confirming its continuing success with world leading airlines across the globe. JAL and Airbus aim for entry into service from 2019, with the airline’s A350 XWBs gradually replacing its ageing fleet approximately over a six year period.

Applications made possible by using Expanded Metal

By: admin September 10th, 2013

In 2009, three researchers, Dimas Smith from the Universidad Francisco de Miranda, Carlos Graciano and Gabriela Martinez from the Universidad Simon Bolivar published a paper that discuss the use of expanded metal in engineering applications. While some of the applications discussed were widely known, we appreciated the fact that the paper highlighted the advancements made by the use of expanded metal in applications from several different market sectors.

13 Battery Startups to Watch in 2013

By: admin June 18th, 2013

13 Battery Startups to Watch in 2013 by Katie Fehrenbacher of GigaOM Magazine

Confirming A350 XWB safety with lightning strike evaluations

By: admin May 10th, 2013

Lightning strike testing has been performed for the A350 XWB, completing a key required step in preparations for this next-generation Airbus jetliner’s maiden flight.

Expanding Technology at the 19th Group Exhibit Hydrogen Fuel Cell Show 2013

By: admin April 19th, 2013

Dexmet - more than a manufacturer but also a community member

By: admin January 24th, 2013

Dexmet is well-known as a manufacturer of expanded materials but do you also know that we support the efforts being carried on by professional organizations in emerging applications, here and abroad.

Article from Boeing highlights the need for Lightning Strike Protection for Aircraft

By: admin December 7th, 2012

Boeing releases an excellent article on its AERO magazine website that highlights the need for maintenance and flight crews to understand lightning strike phenomena and helps operators understand lightning strike damage inspection requirements and associated effective repairs that improve lightning strike maintenance efficiency.

Dexmet is now AS9100 Certified!

By: admin November 30th, 2012

In keeping with our mission to become the recognized worldwide leader for foil gauge expanded metal and thin film expanded polymers, Dexmet Corporation is proud to announce that we have received AS9100/ISO 9001:2008 Certification for the aviation, aerospace, and defense industries. The company subscribes to the Standard’s requisite features, including risk management and configuration control, while maintaining a proactive commitment toward customer satisfaction.

Uncategorized

Dexmet - The leader in Expanding Material

By: admin October 16th, 2012

Many wonder why Dexmet would make this claim? Well the reason is that Dexmet is probably the most recognized name in making expanded material. Around for over half a century and still the innovator when it comes to expanded material. Check out the video below if you are still not convinced.

Imitation best form of flattery?

By: admin June 27th, 2012

There is an old saying that imitation is the best form of flattery and while it may be true in some cases, in the world of manufacturing that is not always the case.

Dexmet in action at the Hydrogen Fuel Cells 2012 show held in Germany

By: admin June 8th, 2012

The Technology Metals

By: admin May 23rd, 2012

Given the high demand for Rare Earth Metals in modern technology. If the alloy developed from these metals is ductile, and the application allows for an open area configuration. In theory expanding the Rare Earth Metal alloy, may be more cost-effective in the development of the technology application . Enjoy the infographic below on Rare Earth Elements designed by the folks at the Visual Capitalist.

Interview with State of Connecticut at the 18th Group Exhibit Hydrogen + Fuel Cells

By: admin May 7th, 2012

Dexmet mentioned in interview with State of Connecticut at the 18th Group Exhibit, Hydrogen Fuel Cells exposition held at Hannover Messe, Germany, April 23rd through 27th, 2012

What effect does tarnish on copper have on product parameters?

By: admin March 22nd, 2012

This is one of the more common questions that we are asked. Customers are primarily concerned with adhesion and surface resistance. Does the surface resistance increase with increased tarnish levels? Will epoxy adhere to a tarnished copper surface? To try and provide an answer, we undertook some elementary evaluations of copper samples with varying levels of tarnish identified using the L*a*b* color space coordinates. For those unfamiliar with the L*a*b* system, the short answer is that every color can be defined in terms of 3 numbers. The first number, “L”, is for lightness which ranges from 0-100, with 0 being black and 100 being white. Everything else is shades of gray. The second number, “a”, is either positive (Red) or negative (green). The third number, “b”, is either positive (yellow) or negative (blue). That is it in a nutshell. All shades of copper and its tarnish can be defined in this way.

2011 in review

By: admin January 3rd, 2012

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Dexmet speeding up the development cycle for 2012

By: admin December 12th, 2011

Dexmet has brought the capability of Wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) technology in-house to quicken the development process and provide better turnaround time to its customers. The new capability will allow Dexmet to quickly generate custom expanding dies for application specific expanded products or provide custom cut geometries out of already expanded materials.

DEXMET CORPORATION TO OFFER Victrex APTIV® PEEK™ FILM BASED EXPANDED MESH PRODUCTS FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE DEMANDS OF THE FILTRATION INDUSTRY

By: admin November 29th, 2011

Wallingford, CT – (November 29, 2011) – When Dexmet Corporation, a manufacturer of precision expanded metal foils (MicroGrid®) and polymer films, wanted to add a high performance polymer to its PolyGrid® portfolio, it chose one of the highest regarded performing thermoplastics in the world, Victrex APTIV® film made with VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer. Utilizing specifically designed proprietary equipment and processes, Dexmet performs an expansion procedure on the high performance polymer to produce a diamond configured, open area mesh product for filtration applications. Providing all of the outstanding properties of VICTREX PEEK polymer in a versatile thin film format, APTIV film was selected for its superior combination of mechanical strength, chemical and high temperature resistance. “While it technically falls under our high temperature PolyGrid product line,” said Ken Burtt, VP of Sales and Marketing at Dexmet, “APTIV film provides much more than just high temperature capabilities. It also has great chemical compatibility as well as mechanical strength that may be required for certain filter applications in harsh environments making it more of a ‘high performance’ PolyGrid material.”

Dexmet offers corrugated expanded material to client base

By: admin October 21st, 2011

Dexmet now offers a new process variation of corrugating their precision expanded materials. This process variation was developed for high-performance applications that require the expanded material to be much thicker or larger, that require more surface area and better cross-directional flow.

Implementing Expanded Metal Into Your Manufacturing Process

By: admin July 6th, 2011

One of the questions that we frequently get from customers is, “We’re having trouble out in the shop working with your expanded metal mesh. Is there anything I can do to make it easier for my manufacturing people?” Fortunately, the answer is, “Yes, there is.” But let’s first talk about what the problem might be and then what you do to make things go smoother.

Lightning Strike Testing

By: admin June 1st, 2011

The video below shows test involving composite panels and how well they hold up to a lightning strike of 200,000 amps without the MicroGrid® protection and with Dexmet's MicroGrid® incorporated into the composite material.

Expanded Metals | Expanded Plastics | Expanded material

What do you think of our blog take the poll!

By: admin May 31st, 2011

[polldaddy poll=5100325]

What applications require expanded materials - a short video introduction

By: admin May 31st, 2011

Curious about where expanded materials are used? See video and see if you can add any to this list.

Annealing of Expanded Metals

By: admin April 18th, 2011

Dexmet has been a leader in the heat treating of expanded metal products. The purpose behind the various processes depends on the application. The following is a discussion of some the options you may choose depending on your end requirements.

Lightning Strike Protection

By: admin February 25th, 2011

Question From Reader:

Expanded Materials | Expanded Metals | Expanded Plastics | Expanded material | Expanding Technology

The Dexmet Blog

By: admin February 15th, 2011

The Dexmet Blog was setup to answer questions regarding the use of precision expanded metals and plastics in various applications.