Mesh screen filters have an open-hole structure that enables them to capture and collect solid particles from liquid or air streams. Available in numerous designs and materials, they serve as a versatile filtration and skimming solution for many industrial, commercial, and recreational applications.
For more information, please visit woven mesh filter screen manufacturer.
At Jason Mills, we provide standard and custom knitted mesh fabrics in a range of weights, sizes, colors, and finishes to suit different customer needs. Both our nylon and polyester mesh fabric solutions possess distinct benefits that make them suitable for filtration.
Nylon and Polyester Filter Mesh 101
The performance of a mesh filter is highly dependent on the fibers and yarns used to make it. Nylon and polyester are synthetic polymers often used to create mesh screens for filtration or skimming devices. While both are flexible, durable, and lightweight, they each have distinct benefits and limitations that impact their suitability for certain applications.
Polyester Filter Mesh
Polyester is a synthetic polymer formed by a chemical reaction involving alcohol, carboxylic acid, and a petroleum byproduct. The resulting fibers can be stretched and aligned to form yarn with the following properties:
High strength and durability
Excellent dimensional stability
Hydrophobic surface
Resistance to acids/alkalis, corrosion, heat/fire, mold/mildew staining, ultraviolet light, and wear
Easy sewing and cleaning requirements
These advantageous characteristics make polyester mesh suitable for a wide range of applications. Whereas the hydrophilic nature of nylon fibers causes them to absorb water, the hydrophobic nature of polyester fibers allows them to repel moisture. As a result, polyester mesh screens will dry faster when exposed to wet conditions. Additionally, polyester is more resistant to heat and UV rays than nylon, making filter mesh made from it a more suitable solution for outdoor environments.
Polyester mesh generally has a slightly rougher feel than nylon mesh. However, a higher filament count can create a lighter, drapier material. It also tends to be less tolerant of stretching and bending than nylon mesh, which limits its use in applications where elasticity is a priority.
Nylon Filter Mesh
Nylon is a synthetic plastic created by extracting and heat treating carbon-based compounds from organic matter. It is capable of being extruded into strands of various sizes and thicknesses to suit different applications. Key properties include:
High tensile strength
Light weight
Elasticity and flexibility
Resistance to acids, alkalis, corrosion, dust, temperatures, and wear
Hydrophilic and antimicrobial (when combined with silver ion) surface
Soft, smooth feel
Easy cutting, dyeing, and cleaning requirements
Nylon fibers can be knitted into durable mesh suitable for different straining, sieving, and filtering applications. The mesh openings can be constructed in a variety of shapes (such as round, rectangular, or honeycomb) and thicknesses (ranging from thin, lightweight drapes or netting to thick, heavy-duty nets and pads).
In addition to its availability in many designs and configurations, nylon mesh offers a number of other key advantages over alternative filter mesh options. For example, its strength and durability make it a great choice for long-term use. Additionally, its smooth surface facilitates the removal of filtered solids, making it an effective and efficient solution for pool filters and skimmers.
However, unlike polyester fibers, nylon fibers absorb and retain water, which causes nylon mesh screens to stretch and expand in wet or humid environments. Nylon mesh also tends to degrade more quickly than polyester when exposed to direct sunlight, making it better suited for applications that are less exposed to weathering elements.
Common Applications of Nylon & Polyester Mesh Screen Filters
Nylon and polyester filter mesh are used in filtration solutions for numerous industrial, commercial, and recreational applications. For example, they are integrated into pool filters and skimmers, where they help maintain a clean and safe environment for swimmers by capturing and removing debris and other solid contaminants.
Other common applications of nylon and polyester filter mesh include:
Dust collection and separation
Sifting and milling
Fuel and oil filtration in automotive and aerospace systems
Filtration systems in refrigerators, dryers, and other appliances
Filtering tests in laboratory applications
Infusion and transfusion filters in medical applications
Application-specific requirements and environmental factors will dictate which type of filter mesh is most appropriate for an application. For example, nylon’s smooth and soft surface makes it uniquely suited for sensitive medical and diagnostic applications, whereas polyester’s acid resistance and hydrophobicity make it preferable for applications involving acidic substances or long-term water exposure.
Filtration Textile Solutions at Jason Mills
At Jason Mills, we offer an extensive selection of polyester and nylon mesh suitable for filtration applications. They are available with opening apertures of less than 1/16 inch and in weights ranging from 2 to 11 ounces.
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From automotive filters to the filters found in medical devices, the proper filtration of various substances helps make the world go round, This leaves engineers responsible for identifying filter media that will deliver the perfect balance of durability, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness.
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 you must strive to understand the capabilities of woven wire mesh, particularly when used as a mesh filter.
So, what exactly is a wire mesh filter?
W.S. Tyler has been a prominent manufacturer of wire mesh products for over 150 years and is here to help you better understand if it is suitable for your filtration operation.
To that end, this article will cover:
What Is Wire Mesh?
Woven wire mesh, or simply 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, wire 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 Wire 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.
Wire mesh filters 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.
If you are interested in learning how woven wire mesh compares to other filtration solutions, you may find value in the following articles:
- Metal Fiber Felt vs Woven Wire Mesh Filters (Benefits, Drawbacks, and Cost)
- Comparing Filter Media: Woven Wire VS Wedge Wire
Why Use Wire Mesh?
There are many benefits associated with wire mesh filters. This includes the filter's accuracy, flow rate, durability, and ability to be cleaned.
Let's look into how wire mesh can deliver the listed benefits.
Flow Rate
One of the most significant advantages wire 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 wire 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 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 wire 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 wire 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 filter mesh easily.
These two properties allow the wire mesh filter to be backflushed and purged of any unwanted debris with minimal pressure.
What Limitations Are Associated With Wire Mesh Filters?
The most notable limitation associated with wire mesh filters is the limitation as to how much wire mesh can be drawn when being formed into a filter. In fact, there is a ratio that must be followed to ensure the mesh is not drawn deeper than its diameter, damaging the mesh.
So, for example, a direct fuel injection automotive filter with a 5-inch diameter can only have a depth of five inches or less.
It's also important to know that a wide variety of wire mesh weave patterns can't be woven past 5 microns. This can be problematic when working with various gases, as gaseous particles can typically pass through 5-micron screens.
How Much Does a Wire Mesh Filter Cost?
From extruder screen packs to sanitary pipe sock screen gaskets, the price of a wire mesh filter is dependent on the parameters of the filter. This includes the layer configuration, mesh specifications, and amount of fabrication needed to form the desired size and shape of the filter.
Additionally, the quantity of filters being acquired plays a major role in the overall price of a wire mesh filter. This is because most wire mesh filters are made to order, which requires several hours to set up the tooling needed to construct any particular filter.
A good rule of thumb to follow when designing wire mesh filters is higher purchase volumes reduce the overall cost.
Read the following article to learn more about the factors surrounding the cost of a wire mesh filter:
- How Much Do Fabricated Wire Mesh Components Cost?
Square Mesh vs Filter Cloth: What Is Right for Me?
Wire mesh filters are a network of metallic wires interlocked together to form precise pore openings that can be used to decontaminate a substance or extract a filter cake. The cleanability, accuracy, flow rate, and durability that wire mesh offers make it stand out when compared to other filter media, such as metal fiber felt and wedge wire.
As you continue to pursue wire mesh filters, it's essential that you understand the two forms wire mesh is available in: square mesh and filter cloth. Knowing the differences between the two mesh variants will help to ensure you achieve efficient filtration.
With over 150 years of wire mesh experience, W.S. Tyler strives to ensure you understand everything you need to know about mesh filters.
Review the following article to gain insight into how square mesh and filter cloth differ:
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit twill weave wire mesh factory.
- Square Wire Mesh vs. MINIMESH® Filter Cloth: Which Is Best for Me?
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