Nonwoven for industrial filtration
Filter media is bought on a pair of numbers: efficiency and pressure drop. A media that filters well and breathes badly is a filter nobody will install, and a supplier who quotes only one number is not answering the question.
At a glance
Specification at a glance
| Parameter | Effect | Typical range | Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fibre type | Filtration mechanism and durability | PP, PET, glass blends | Material declaration |
| Basis weight | Dust holding and strength | 20 to 300 gsm | Cut and weigh |
| Air permeability | Pressure drop and cleaning behaviour | Grade dependent | Permeability test at defined pressure |
| Efficiency | Particle capture at a size | Grade dependent | Test aerosol and method named |
| Pleatability | Whether it can be converted into a cartridge | Grade dependent | Trial on the pleater |
| Stiffness | Pleat support without wire | Grade dependent | Bending test |
Efficiency means nothing without a method
Efficiency measured on a sodium chloride aerosol at one face velocity is not comparable with a dust loading test on a pleated cartridge. Both are legitimate, and they answer different questions. Name the method, the particle size and the flow, then compare.
Pressure drop is the other half of the specification
A dense media raises efficiency and raises the fan power needed to push air through it. For HVAC and industrial dust collection, the energy cost over the filter's life usually exceeds the media cost. The pair of numbers belongs in the same specification.
Converting decides the grade
Pleating, edge sealing, potting and cleaning all constrain the media. A grade that filters well but cannot hold a pleat without wire is unusable on some lines. If the customer pleats in house, run a trial on their machine before the programme.
Specifying filter media?
Send the efficiency target, the pressure drop limit, the particle size and the method. The reply names a grade and a tolerance.
Questions
Common questions
Do you supply meltblown filter media?
Meltblown is available as a layer within composite media, quoted after a technical check on the structure and the bonding method. Ask for the efficiency and pressure drop pair for the grade you need.
Can you supply pleatable media?
Yes, with the stiffness and weight that suit your pleater. Send the pleat height and line speed so the grade is matched rather than guessed.
How is filter media packed?
Rolls with edge protection, or slit to the converter width. Dust sensitive grades are wrapped and kept dry because moisture changes permeability.