Factory Direct Stainless Steel Pleated Filter Cartridges

Pleated filter cartridges increase effective filtration area by folding a flat membrane into a series of uniform pleats, allowing higher flow rates and lower pressure drop compared to depth‑type elements of the same diameter. Stainless steel construction provides compatibility with aggressive chemicals, high temperatures, and sterilization cycles common in process industries.

Design and Construction

The cartridge consists of a pleated stainless steel mesh or sintered sheet wrapped around a perforated support core. End caps are welded or clamped to seal the pleat stack and provide mounting interfaces. Pleat height, core diameter, and material thickness are selected based on the required dirt‑holding capacity and mechanical strength.

• Available alloys: AISI 304 for general service, AISI 316L for chloride‑rich environments, and duplex 2205 for high‑strength corrosive applications.
• Support core options: perforated 304/316 tube, polypropylene core for non‑metallic compatibility, or titanium for extreme oxidation resistance.
• End‑cap configurations: flat double‑open‑end (DOE), single‑open‑end (SOE) with internal O‑ring groove, or threaded NPT connections.

Filtration Performance Characteristics

Performance is governed by the pore size of the stainless steel medium, the total pleated surface area, and the flow geometry. Typical ratings range from 1 µm absolute to 100 µm nominal, with pressure drops measured at defined flow rates.

Applications in Industrial Processes

In chemical processing, the cartridges remove catalyst fines and polymer particles from corrosive streams where polymeric filters would degrade. The stainless steel medium withstands hot caustic washdowns, enabling clean‑in‑place (CIP) cycles without replacement.

Food‑and‑beverage manufacturers use 316L pleated cartridges for clarifying liquids such as wine, juice, and dairy products, benefiting from the material’s inertness and ability to endure steam sterilization at 121 °C.

Pharmaceutical applications require absolute‑rated 0.2 µm or 0.45 µm elements for sterile filtration; the all‑metal construction eliminates fiber shedding and provides a reliable barrier for aseptic processing.

Oil and gas upstream facilities deploy pleated cartridges in produced‑water treatment to remove sand, scale, and hydrocarbon droplets before reinjection, where the metal medium tolerates high salinity and occasional temperature spikes.

Quality Assurance and Testing

Each lot undergoes dimensional verification of pleat geometry, end‑cap squareness, and overall length using calibrated optical comparators. Integrity is confirmed by bubble‑point testing at the rated pore size, ensuring no bypass paths exist.

Material certificates (EN 10204 3.1) are supplied for the stainless steel alloy, and optional surface‑finish documentation (Ra values) can be provided upon request. Visual inspection for weld defects, burrs, or contamination is performed under 10× magnification.

Customization Options

• Lengths: 5″, 10″, 20″, 30″, or custom lengths up to 60″.
• Pleat height: 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm to adjust surface area.
• End‑cap types: DOE, SOE with O‑ring, SOE with gasket, flange, or threaded.
• Gasket materials: EPDM, silicone, Viton, PTFE for specific chemical compatibility.
• Surface treatments: electropolishing, passivation, or PTFE coating for reduced fouling.

Ordering, Samples, and Lead Times

Factory‑direct sales eliminate intermediary mark‑ups and provide direct access to engineering support for design‑for‑manufacturability reviews. Sample cartridges are available upon receipt of a completed specification sheet, typically shipped within 5‑7 business days.

Standard production lead time for non‑stock lengths is 3‑4 weeks, with expedited options available for critical projects. Minimum order quantities vary by alloy and end‑cap configuration but are generally as low as 10 units for prototype runs.