Where it fits
Pleated wire mesh cartridges take on duty that polymer elements cannot: petrochemical processing, high-viscosity polymer melts, strong acids and alkalis, and high-temperature steam lines. Once temperature or pressure moves beyond the range of PP or PES cartridges, metal media is effectively the only remaining option.
Key characteristics
The media is SUS304 / SUS316L woven or multi-layer sintered mesh, pleated, with protection and drainage mesh on both faces and the whole assembly TIG-welded. Sintered mesh gives an absolute rating: the mesh does not shed or deform, so the rating holds regardless of differential pressure — the most substantive difference from polymer media.
The temperature ceiling is 350 °C, maximum differential pressure is typically 10 bar and system operating pressure can reach 250 bar, across a 1 – 200 µm rating range. Seals can be FKM, EPDM or silicone O-rings, with graphite or all-metal gaskets for hot service.
Choosing between options
The difference from polymer pleated cartridges is not only temperature but consumable economics:
| Cartridge | Max temp | Rating range | End of life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wire mesh (this) | 350 °C | 1 – 200 µm | Cleanable and reusable |
| PP pleated | — | 0.1 – 10 µm | Disposable at change-out ΔP |
| Glass fibre pleated | 82 °C | 0.2 – 10 µm | Disposable, and must not be back-flushed |
Operation & change-out
Clean or replace when ΔP reaches 3–5 times the clean initial value. The cartridge is reusable after back-flush, ultrasonic or chemical cleaning, and withstands steam sterilisation, caustic and acid cleaning. Verify with a bubble point test after cleaning that the mesh is undamaged. EN 10204 3.1 material certificates are available on request.