The title question for today’s blog post is a simple one—with an answer that may also seem simple at first. Of course you’re getting the filtration performance you need and expect! Your equipment is operational, and you are not experiencing unreasonable amounts of downtime for maintenance today.
However, if you read our most recent post about filtration efficiency here on the Fluid Conditioning Products (FCP) blog, you may have some doubts about whether your equipment is really operating at its best.
After all, if you are still relying on legacy filtration materials like cellulose or fiberglass/glass fiber—especially in crucial aviation applications, such as hydraulic filtration—you’re not getting the performance your equipment needs to operate at its best.
But not to worry. All-metal filters can offer much-improved filtration efficiency, and they also excel in several other essential performance measurements for filtration—whether they are used in gas, liquid, or air filtering. And FCP can help you make the switch to woven metal mesh or sintered metal filter media to achieve that highest-level filtration efficiency—often greater than 99%. That equals real, measurable money savings to your business or client’s operations.
Today’s post highlights some of the ways beyond efficiency that filtration performance is measured to show that all-metal filters are unbeatable in these areas, too.
Some Key Ways Filtration Performance is Measured and How All-Metal Filters Excel
It’s true that filter efficiency—or the percentage of contaminants removed by a given filter medium—is one of the most crucial filtration performance metrics. But there are several more factors you need to consider as you’re choosing or designing filters for aerospace, marine, and defense industry usages.
These are three big ones to think about to ensure that your filters can not only withstand the most demanding conditions but also perform well.
Particle Retention Capability
While the specifications for your equipment will vary in terms of how much contaminant it can handle in air, fluid, or gas systems, particle retention—measured in microns—should be low.
With filters of all types, particle retention capability relates to just how small of a contaminant particle size the filter media can retain. (For reference, it may help to know that a grain of fine beach sand is about 62 microns.) And all-metal filters are incredibly versatile. Metal filters with layers made from sintered sheet tend to perform best, with particle retention capability to as fine as 3 µm.
Cleanability
While disposable filter media have long been convenient, they can waste a lot of money over time. Disposable filters also don’t tend to last very long, necessitating frequent change-outs to keep equipment from sustaining critical damage.
All-metal filters may be designed to be cleanable—or even self-cleaning—so waste is drastically reduced in your operations. Instead of continually sending filter media to the landfill and making sure you have more on hand every time you perform maintenance, all-metal filters may simply need a quick wash, and you’ll be back up and running.
Corrosion Resistance
Because all-metal filters are typically considered to be permanent or semi-permanent, we pay close attention to making sure they are made from corrosion-resistant metals like stainless steel and nickel-copper. Corrosion will cause filter media to break down and shed particles during regular equipment operation, which adds excess contamination to a system—and that’s not good performance.
Also Consider Operating Temperatures—How Suitable Are Your Current Filters?
Extreme temperature resistance—or the ability for your filters to keep performing well at temperatures ranging from -65°F to 700°F (-54°C to 371°C) or less/more—is a point that our customers sometimes don’t think too much about. However, your equipment’s operating temperatures are critical to filter performance capabilities.
If your current filter media isn’t designed to handle the extreme highs and lows inside your equipment while it is operational, that media could be breaking down too quickly and causing severe and costly damage.
Ready to Make the Switch to All-Metal Filters?
One of the most significant performance measurements when it comes to filters may just be the qualifications of the manufacturer. Here at FCP, we’re dedicated to maintaining numerous quality certifications, the best manufacturing equipment, and a talented workforce to provide fully compliant filter designs.
We deeply understand that the filter or screen you choose will determine how well your equipment operates. And your filtration needs to optimize efficiency and performance at all times. All-metal filters are nearly always your best bet, and we’re here to help you find the best all-metal filters for even the most demanding applications. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our filter manufacturing and supply capabilities and experience the FCP difference.
