Stainless steel fiber sintered felt is a highly durable, corrosion-resistant, and high-precision filtration material widely used in industries such as petroleum, chemical processing, pharmaceuticals, food production, and environmental protection.
Due to its unique structure, formed by sintering fine stainless steel fibers at high temperatures, it offers superior depth filtration, high porosity, and excellent mechanical strength. Choosing the right stainless steel fiber sintered felt for your application requires careful consideration of various technical and operational factors. This guide outlines the key aspects you should evaluate before making a purchase.
Determine the Filtration Requirements
The first and most critical step is to define your filtration goals. Consider the following:
Target particle size to be removed (e.g., 3–50 microns)
Filtration efficiency (percentage of particles captured)
Type of fluid (liquid or gas; corrosive, viscous, or hazardous)
Cleanliness level required by the system
For example, if you're working with hydraulic oils in a petrochemical plant, you may need a felt capable of filtering particles as small as 5 microns with high retention efficiency.
Material Selection
Most stainless steel fiber sintered felts are made from 316L or 304 stainless steel, but special grades like 310S or Hastelloy may be necessary in environments with extreme corrosion or temperature demands. Key material selection considerations include:
Corrosion resistance to acids, alkalis, salts, and oxidizing agents
Thermal resistance, especially in high-temperature filtration systems
Mechanical strength is needed for high-pressure applications
316L stainless steel is commonly chosen for its excellent corrosion resistance in marine, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical environments.
Understand the Pore Size and Gradient Structure
Stainless steel fiber sintered felt features a multi-layer, gradient pore structure, which allows particles to be captured throughout the depth of the material. Consider:
Nominal vs. absolute filtration rating
Pore size distribution (affects flow rate and dirt holding capacity)
Layer thickness and configuration
A properly graded pore structure will improve the dirt-holding capacity and reduce the pressure drop, extending service life and lowering maintenance costs.
Flow Rate and Pressure Drop Compatibility
Evaluate the required flow rate of your system and the acceptable pressure drop. Stainless steel felt provides relatively low resistance to fluid flow compared to traditional media, but the exact performance depends on the design. Check the specifications for:
Permeability (L/m²·h or m³/h)
Initial pressure drop at specific flow rates
Maximum differential pressure tolerance
If your application involves high-viscosity fluids or fast flow rates, select a felt with larger pores or thinner layers to avoid clogging or system inefficiency.
Mechanical and Structural Strength
For high-pressure or heavy-duty applications, the felt must withstand mechanical stresses without deformation or collapse. Look for:
Compression resistance
Tensile and flexural strength
Support mesh layers to improve structural integrity
This is especially important in vertical installations or where the filter is subjected to frequent backwashing or vibration.
