Filter Cartridges

Pleated mesh vs sintered vs hybrid — which metal cartridge construction?

Pleated stainless mesh cartridges offer high surface area and cleanability for coarse to medium retention and pre-filtration. Sintered metal cartridges provide rigid, stable micron ratings and higher differential pressure capability. Hybrid designs combine mesh pre-layers with sintered final media for graded duty. Your operating differential pressure, micron target, cleaning method and whether the element is a direct OEM replacement determine the build — send the failed part or full spec sheet.

Cartridge replacement projects often start from a failed element photo — include cap style, gasket material and any part number stamped on the end cap. We distinguish functional equivalent from exact dimensional clone when you state acceptance criteria on the quote.

What dimensions must match your housing?

Overall length, outer diameter, inner diameter (or core tube OD), end cap style and gasket interface are critical. Standard industrial patterns include double-open ends, 222/226 fin caps and threaded bases — but always verify against the housing manufacturer drawing. Misaligned gasket seats cause bypass and failure in service.

Pleated depth, pleat count and core tube wall thickness affect initial differential pressure and collapse resistance — share housing bypass requirements if the element must seal on a knife edge or O-ring.

How do I specify micron rating and dirt capacity?

State nominal micron, whether rating is absolute or nominal, initial differential pressure and maximum allowed differential pressure, flow rate and fluid viscosity where relevant. Metal cartridges are often specified by retention on a reference particle or by OEM part number — we map that to media structure. Regeneration by back-flush, ultrasonic or chemical cleaning affects media choice.

For polymer melt, note maximum operating temperature and whether the element sees cyclic heat during startup. For hydraulic oil, note fluid type, additive package and water content if known — these affect SS316L suitability.

SS316L and special alloys for cartridge service

SS316L is standard for many hydraulic, food and chemical duties involving chlorides or CIP chemicals. Nickel, duplex and higher alloys are quoted for specialty streams. List fluid, peak temperature, chloride content and cleaning agents.

Beta ratio or ISO multi-pass test values from OEM datasheets can be referenced but are not assumed identical for cross-reference builds — we quote on dimensional and media compatibility with retention confirmed per sample where critical.

What should I send for an accurate cartridge quotation?

Outer diameter, inner diameter, length, end cap type, gasket material, micron rating, flow direction, operating temperature, quantity and any OEM part number or sample. Photos of both end caps with a ruler accelerate matching.

Packaging for long elements may use split cartons or reinforced tubes — note export destination and any fumigation-free wood requirements. Repeat supply agreements can fix cap machining and media lot for six-month or annual releases.

MOQ, sampling and replacement programs

MOQ depends on construction, diameter and cap machining — confirmed per quote. First-article confirmation is recommended for new cap interfaces or critical hydraulic safety service. Annual quantity helps planning; repeat orders can align media lot where traceability is required.

See pleated metal cartridge family products in this category and sintered options under Sintered Metal Filters when rigid micron rating is required. Send housing manufacturer name if cap interface is non-standard.

Related products and next steps

See pleated and metal cartridge family products in the product range below. Pair cartridge selection with Sintered Metal Filters when your micron target and differential pressure exceed pleated mesh capability. Custom cap interfaces or hybrid stacks are quoted through Custom Fabrication when standard family geometry does not match your housing. Use related blog content on mesh-to-micron logic and SS304 vs SS316 duty when upgrading from disposable media — then send OD, length, cap style and micron rating for a technical quotation.