| Typical composition (major elements) |
Fe + Cr ~18%, Ni ~8%, Mn ≤2%, C ≤0.08% |
Fe + Cr 16–18%, Ni 10–14%, Mo 2–3% (low C ≤0.03%) |
Variable; commonly Fe + Cr 11–18% (ferritic) or 16–18% Cr + Ni for austenitic |
| Typical pore size range (µm) |
5 – 300 µm (woven cloth meshes commonly 20–200 µm) |
0.5 – 200 µm (tight control down to submicron via sintering) |
0.5 – 25 mm (hole diameters or slot widths; typical filtration holes 200 µm–10 mm) |
| Particle removal (typical efficiency) |
>90% for particles ≥ specified mesh aperture; e.g., 99% for ≥20 µm |
High capture efficiency at given pore rating; for 1 µm ratings often 80–98% depending on flow |
Effective for coarse filtration; >99% for particles larger than hole size |
| Permeate flux (typical, L/m²·hr at 1 bar) |
200 – 2,000 L/m²·hr (open weave, high permeability) |
20 – 400 L/m²·hr (dependent on porosity and pore size) |
Variable; 500 – 5,000 L/m²·hr for coarse perforations under moderate ΔP |
| Mechanical strength (approx. tensile, MPa) |
~500–600 MPa (solid wire grade; actual assembly strength depends on weave and frame) |
~450–550 MPa (bulk metal similar, sintered porosity reduces structural strength) |
~400–600 MPa (plate thickness controlled; perforated plate retains plate strength) |
| Maximum continuous operating temperature (°C) |
Up to ~700–800°C (application-dependent; oxidation risk increases) |
Up to ~600–800°C for 316L; sintered microstructure stable at high T |
Depends on grade (ferritic lower temperature embrittlement zones vs austenitic high-temp OK) |
| Corrosion resistance (qualitative) |
Good in neutral and mildly corrosive media; moderate pitting resistance |
High resistance to chlorides and pitting (Mo addition); excellent for aggressive environments |
Variable; ferritic variants less pitting-resistant than austenitic 316 |
| Typical service life (ambient/corrosive conditions) |
5 – 20 years (depends on loading, cleaning, environment) |
8 – 25+ years in many installations due to corrosion resistance |
10 – 30 years for robust structural applications; surface conditions matter |
| Cleanability / compatibility with CIP |
Excellent; mechanical backwash and chemical CIP widely used |
Excellent; sintered structures tolerate CIP but require appropriate flow reversal to remove fouling |
Good; easy to clean for coarse solids; finer holes need controlled procedures |
| Recyclability & end-of-life |
High: stainless steel is broadly recyclable; typical industrial recovery rates ~85–95% |
High: sintered components also recyclable; alloying elements recovered in steel recycling streams |
High: perforated plate scrap commonly returned to steel recycling |
| Typical cradle-to-gate CO2e (approx., kg CO2e per kg stainless) |
~6–9 kg CO2e/kg (production method and scrap fraction dependent) |
~8–12 kg CO2e/kg (higher due to Mo and alloying; varies by production route) |
~5–9 kg CO2e/kg (depends on grade and scrap input) |
| Common manufacturing methods |
Weaving of wires, crimping, edge reinforcement, frame assembly |
Powder metallurgy, layering and sintering, thermal bonding for multi-layer media |
Pressing/rolling, CNC/perforation punching, laser cutting, forming into baskets/plates |
| Typical thickness / material gauge |
Wire diameter 0.03 – 2.0 mm; assembled cloth thickness 0.1 – 3.0 mm |
Bulk thickness 0.5 – 10 mm depending on layers and sinter cycles |
0.5 – 10+ mm plate thickness; common perforated plates 0.8 – 6 mm |
| Common end-use applications |
Liquid filtration, pre-filtration for membranes, oil & gas particulate control, HVAC screens |
Fine liquid/air filtration, pharmaceutical & biotech, high-temperature gas filtration |
Coarse screening, grit removal, support structures for filter cartridges, separation plates |
| Relevant standards / regulatory notes |
Common conformity with material standards (e.g., ASTM/ISO grades) and potable-water contact approvals where required |
Used in regulated industries; manufacturing controlled to meet traceability and cleanliness standards |
Design and thickness chosen to meet mechanical/pressure standards for given application |