What Is a Mesh Filter?

The proper filtration of various substances helps make the world go round, from automotive filters to the filters found in medical devices. This leaves engineers responsible for identifying filter media that will deliver the perfect balance of durability, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness.

we understand that failure to implement an adequate filter media can lead to inconsistent pressure loads in your filter system, increase energy costs, and allow unwanted particles to pass through. This is why we strive to educate system operators and engineers on the capabilities of metal mesh, particularly when used as a mesh filter.

So, what exactly is a metal mesh filter?

What Is Metal Mesh?

Metal mesh, also referred to as woven wire mesh, is a calculated array of individual metallic wires interlocked together, forming pore openings with an exact size. Prior to the centuries-old weaving process used to fabricate the mesh, specifications, such as the mesh count, wire diameter, weave pattern, layer configuration, and alloy, are all predetermined.

Now, stainless steel filter mesh can be molded and formed without compromising the integrity of the mesh openings. This allows it to deliver desirable filtration for a wide range of industries.

What Is a Mesh Filter?

Filters are known to be porous materials designed to remove impurities and miscellaneous particles from liquids and gases. In the world of filtration, there are various materials used as filter media, such as metal fiber felt and wedge wire.

Mesh filers are a network of metallic wires that forms a pliable filter cloth with precise, rigid pore openings that engineers can customize to accommodate most filter systems. Additionally, because metal mesh filters are one of the most durable filter media available, they can be used in applications, such as sanitary pipe systems, to remove contaminants or in applications, such as nutsche filters, to extract a filter cake.

Why Use Metal Mesh?

There are many benefits associated with metal mesh filters. This includes the filter's ability to be cleaned, accuracy, flow rate, and durability.

Let's look into how metal mesh can deliver the listed benefits.

Flow Rate

One of the most significant advantages metal mesh has over most filter media used today is its ability to deliver an adequate flow rate. This is achievable as the wire diameter and mesh opening can be customized to perfectly match the contaminants you are filtering out, providing you with an enhanced level of filtration surface area.

This is especially true when a three-dimensional metal mesh filter is used. This is because three-dimensional mesh filters offset two layers of filter cloth, doubling the achievable flow rate.

Durability

While alloys such as Alloy 310, Inconel 600, Super duplex, Duplex, Hastelloy C22, and Titanium can be used to construct metal mesh filters, 300 series stainless steel is predominantly used. This helps create a filter that can withstand a wide range of impurities, pressure variations, and extreme temperatures without hindering the filter's accuracy.

In addition, stainless steel mesh is a very pliable material, allowing the filter to be formed to fit your filter system and hold its shape after several uses.

Accuracy

The weaving process used to construct mesh filters is heavily monitored from start to finish. As a result, the pore openings of the filter are exact and uniform throughout the filter.

These precise pore opinings ensure that the end product, whether a filtered substance or a filter cake, is consistent and complies with industry standards.

Cleanability

As metal mesh features accurate pore openings, blinding and plugging are significantly reduced. This, combined with the enhanced flow rate, means system operators can clean the metal mesh easily.

These two properties allow the mesh filter to be backflushed and purged of any unwanted debris with minimal pressure.