When it comes to water filtration, there are several types of filter cartridges available, each designed for specific applications. Among them, pleated, melt-blown, and string-wound filter elements are the most commonly used in industrial and commercial systems. Understanding their differences can help you select the right filter cartridge for your needs.
What is a Pleated Filter Element?
The microporous pleated filter element has a stable filtration accuracy and can effectively intercept tiny particles and colloidal debris, with a filtration efficiency of up to 99.8%. The multi-layer structure design provides a high dirt holding space and filtration area, with the characteristics of large dirt holding capacity and long service life.
The main filtration materials of the microporous pleated filter element are: stainless steel wire mesh, sintered mesh, polypropylene, hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), hydrophilic PTFE, polyethersulfone (PES), nylon, etc.
1. Technical indicators
Material
Filter material: polypropylene (PP), hydrophobic PTFE, hydrophilic PTFE, PES, nylon, stainless steel wire mesh, sintered mesh;
Application areas
Clarification filtration of acid and alkali solutions, solvents, etc.
Terminal filtration of photoresist, photoresist developer, and related chemicals.
Terminal filtration of ink, coating, printing ink, adhesive, etc.
What is a String-Wound Filter Element?
String-wound filter element is a deep filter cartridge used for low viscosity and low impurity filtration. It is made of textile fiber line (polypropylene yarn, degreased cotton yarn, etc.) that is precisely wound on a porous skeleton (polypropylene or stainless steel) according to a specific process. It has a honeycomb structure with a sparse outer surface and a dense inner surface, which can effectively remove suspended matter, particles, rust and other impurities in the fluid and has very good filtration characteristics.
1. Features
Acid and alkali resistance, large dirt holding capacity, large flux, good chemical compatibility, deep filtration, no adhesive.
2. Technical indicators
Material
Filter material: polypropylene, degreased cotton yarn, glass fiber;
Application areas
Pre-filtration of industrial water, tap water, food and beverage water, etc.
Pretreatment of developer, etching solution, electroplating solution, organic solvent, etc.
Cooling circulating water, boiler water, ultrapure water security filtration
Pre-filtration of acid and alkali liquids, resins, adhesives, coatings, graphite, inks, photographic processing fluids, etc.
What is a Melt-Blown Filter Element?
PP filter cartridgesMelt-blown filter element is a PP melt-blown filter element, which is a filter material made of non-toxic and odorless polypropylene as a raw material, through heating and melting, spraying, pulling, and receiving molding. The PP filter cartridge has a deep filtration structure with uniform pore size, sparse outside and dense inside, and has high filtration efficiency and excellent acid and alkali resistance. It can effectively remove suspended matter, particles, rust and other impurities in the liquid. Melt-blown filter element is a tubular filter element made of non-toxic and odorless polypropylene particles, through heating and melting, spinning, pulling, and receiving molding. If the raw material is mainly polypropylene, it can be called a PP melt-blown filter element.
1. Features
Acid and alkali resistance, strong dirt holding capacity, large flux, good chemical compatibility, multi-layer filtration, and no adhesive.
2. Technical Specifications
Material
Filter Material: Polypropylene
Applications
Filtration of plating solutions, etching solutions, chemical solutions, and purified water for electronic products.
Pre-filtration for various precision filtration processes.
Filtration and water treatment for chemicals and solvents in the chemical industry.
Filtration in the brewing and beverage manufacturing processes.
Pre-filtration for RO and UF systems, and various industrial water treatments.
Key Differences: Pleated vs Melt-Blown vs String-Wound Filter Elements
| Feature | Pleated Filter Cartridge | String-Wound Filter Cartridge | Melt-Blown Filter Cartridge |
| Filtration Accuracy | Very high (up to 99.8%) | Medium | Medium to high |
| Dirt Holding | Large | Large | Very large |
| Service Life | Long | Moderate | Moderate |
| Cost | Higher | Low | Cost-effective |
| Best Use | Precision filtration | Pre-filtration | RO/UF pretreatment & general filtration |
How to Choose the Right Filter Cartridge?
If you need high precision and long service life → Choose a pleated filter cartridge.
If you want low-cost pre-filtration for large particles → Go with a string-wound filter cartridge.
If you need efficient pre-filtration before RO or UF systems → A melt-blown filter cartridge is the best option.
Understanding the differences between pleated vs melt-blown vs string-wound filter elements is key to selecting the right water filter cartridge. Each type offers unique benefits in terms of cost, efficiency, and application suitability.
Contact us today at www.maifilter.com to request a quote and find the best filter cartridge for your system.
