Frequently Asked
Questions

Our sintered metal filters are available in the following alloys: 316L stainless steel (most widely used), pure titanium, Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5), Monel 400, Hastelloy C-276, Inconel 625, and copper–tin bronze for lower-cost applications.

Material selection is driven by your process fluid chemistry, operating temperature, and pressure. See our material selection guide for a side-by-side comparison, or tell us your application details and we'll advise on the right alloy.

Our sintered powder metal filters are typically available with pore sizes from approximately 0.22 µm to 100 µm. The achievable range depends on the base alloy, sintering grade, wall thickness, and the test method used for the stated rating.

For tighter or wider pore windows — or if you have a specific particle retention target — contact us with your flow requirements and fluid properties so we can recommend the best grade.

Sintered powder filters are formed by compacting and fusing metal powder under heat, creating a rigid, self-supporting monolithic structure. They excel in high-pressure, high-temperature, pulsating-flow, and chemically aggressive service. They can be backwashed and reused for years.

Pleated mesh cartridges offer significantly more filtration area in the same envelope and suit lower-pressure applications where higher throughput per cartridge is the priority. They are lighter but less suited to thermal or mechanical shock.

We can help you decide based on your differential pressure, temperature, fluid, and cleaning requirements.

Yes — the majority of our orders are custom. We work from customer drawings (DXF, STEP, PDF, or even a sketch), or from verbal specifications such as OD × ID × length and pore grade.

Common custom forms include: asymmetric end caps, flanged or threaded housings, multi-layer gradient-pore constructions, tapered profiles, disc and plate formats, and assembled filter elements with housings. MOQ for custom parts varies by complexity; contact us to confirm.

Yes. Titanium fiber felt is produced from short titanium fibres that are laid into a mat and sintered together. Its key advantage is high porosity (typically 70–85% void fraction), which delivers lower pressure drop for a given pore size compared with powder-sintered equivalents.

It is the standard choice for PEM electrolyser gas diffusion layers (GDL) — see our hydrogen & PEM electrolysis page — and high-flow liquid distribution applications. For standard gas or liquid filtration where pressure drop is less critical, sintered powder cartridges are usually more cost-effective.

Standard machined titanium components are delivered with a turned or milled finish (Ra 1.6–3.2 µm). Additional options on request include anodising (Type II or Type III for wear resistance), passivation, and polishing (Ra ≤0.8 µm for fluid-contact surfaces).

For GD&T-critical parts we include a dimensional inspection report with each batch. Let us know your drawing requirements and we will quote accordingly.

• 316L Stainless Steel: continuous service up to 400 °C in oxidising atmospheres; up to ~600 °C in inert or reducing gas.
• Pure titanium (Gr. 1–4): up to ~350 °C in most environments. Titanium oxidises above ~600 °C in air.
• Hastelloy C-276 / Inconel 625: usable to 800 °C+ depending on atmosphere and stress.

If your process involves thermal cycling or aggressive atmospheres please confirm conditions with us — we can advise on alloy selection and weld integrity for extended service.

In standard wall thicknesses, sintered cartridge filters typically handle differential pressures of 40–100 bar, depending on outer diameter, wall thickness, and alloy. Tube-form elements can be designed for collapse under external pressure or burst under internal pressure as required.

For high-pressure hydrogen, autoclave, or subsea service, we can provide rated burst and collapse calculations. Please specify your design pressure, test pressure, and safety factor when requesting a quote.

Yes — regenerability is one of the primary reasons customers choose sintered metal over polymer media. Effective cleaning methods include:

• Backwashing — reverse-flow liquid or gas pulse
• Ultrasonic cleaning — for particulate and biological fouling
• Chemical soaking — acid or alkaline solutions appropriate to the alloy
• Thermal calcination — burn-off of organic contamination in compatible alloys

Expected service life in clean-service gas filtration is typically 3–10+ years. To verify a cleaned element still meets its rated pore size, see our bubble point test procedure, or ask us for cleaning guidance specific to your process fluid.

Flow performance depends on pore size, filter area, differential pressure, and fluid viscosity — so we prefer to calculate a sizing recommendation for your specific conditions rather than citing generic numbers.

To get an accurate sizing, provide us with: process fluid (type and viscosity), operating temperature, allowable pressure drop, and required flow rate. We will return a recommended filter grade and element dimensions.

Yes, for appropriate grades and end uses. 316L stainless steel and pure titanium are commonly selected for pharmaceutical and food-contact equipment, but final suitability should be reviewed against your process, finish requirement, and regulatory pathway. We supply fine-grade metal filters that may be specified for CIP/SIP duty — see our pharma & food processing page for application examples.

For regulated applications we can provide material traceability certificates, weld logs, dimensional inspection records, and pore size characterisation data per ASTM F316. Critical filtration validation (e.g. sterility assurance) must be carried out by the end user as part of their process qualification.

For standard catalogue sizes we can usually accept prototype and sample orders of 1–2 pieces. For custom-dimensioned parts, typical production minimums are 5–10 pieces per configuration, depending on tooling and setup time.

Smaller quantities for evaluation or R&D are available — send us your specification and we'll confirm the minimum for your part.

• Standard catalogue items in stock: dispatch within 3 business days.
• Standard catalogue items, made to order: 7–14 business days.
• Custom sintered parts: 15–25 business days depending on complexity and current production capacity.
• CNC machined titanium components: 10–20 business days for most configurations.

Lead times can often be shortened for urgent orders — please let us know your deadline and we will advise on availability.

Yes — we actively encourage sample orders for new applications. Samples are priced at the standard unit rate plus a small tooling and setup charge for custom configurations. Turnaround for most samples is about 7–10 business days, subject to drawing complexity and current production load.

Send us your drawing or specification via the RFQ form on our Contact page and we will confirm pricing and timeline.

At a minimum, we need: product type, material, dimensions (OD × ID × length, or diameter × thickness for discs), an approximate pore size range in µm, and your quantity. Including your end application and process conditions helps us flag any compatibility considerations early.

The inquiry form on our Contact page includes all the right fields. Alternatively, email your drawing directly to the relevant product specialist listed on that page.

Yes. For customers with predictable recurring demand, we can arrange call-off agreements with committed pricing over a 6–12 month horizon. This can help us prepare stock in advance and support delivery planning against your schedule.

Contact Sam Young or Caleb Zheng to discuss terms for your requirements.

Yes. Shaanxi Filture New Material Co., Ltd. holds ISO 9001:2015 certification covering the design, manufacture, and supply of sintered metal filters and titanium components. Certificates are available on request.

Standard documents (included with every order): commercial invoice, packing list, product conformance statement.

Available on request (included as standard for regulated-industry orders):

• EN 10204 3.1 material test reports (MTRs)
• Dimensional inspection report
• SEM pore structure image
• Bubble-point or pressure-drop test data per ASTM F316
• Certificate of Origin (CCPIT or self-certified)

Yes. All sintered metal and titanium stock is traceable to mill certificates. We can provide EN 10204 3.1 certificates from our material suppliers for every production batch, along with our own product inspection report confirming dimensions and conformance.

Please specify this requirement at the time of ordering so it is included in your documentation package at no extra charge.

Our metal alloys are generally outside the scope of RoHS (which applies to electrical and electronic equipment). However, for customers in regulated supply chains we can provide REACH SVHC declarations confirming the absence of substances of very high concern for all standard materials we supply.

Contact us with your specific compliance requirements and we will prepare the relevant documentation.

We support export shipments to many destinations worldwide, including customers across Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. Our logistics team can prepare standard export documentation including commercial invoice, packing list, and certificate of origin where required.

We typically quote on EXW (ex our Baoji factory), FOB (Shanghai or Tianjin port), or CIF to your destination port. DDP is available for select destinations. Preferred Incoterms can be agreed at the time of quotation — please state your preference in your RFQ.

• Samples and small orders: DHL, FedEx, or UPS express courier — typically 3–7 business days to Europe or North America.
• Production volumes: air freight (5–8 days) or sea freight (25–40 days) depending on weight, volume, and urgency.

We work with your nominated freight forwarder if you have preferred carriers or consolidated shipments.

Yes. For most destinations a self-certified origin statement on our company letterhead is sufficient. For orders that require a formal CO from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) or the Chamber of Commerce, we can arrange this at a small additional charge. Please specify your country's import requirements at the time of ordering.