The temperature resistance of multifilament filter cloth depends mainly on its raw material and manufacturing process. Cloth made from different fibers can have very different operating limits. The following sections summarize common material types and the factors that influence their temperature performance.Temperature Ranges of Common Multifilament Materials
Most multifilament filter cloth is made from synthetic fibers. Typical temperature characteristics are as follows.
Polyester (PET) Multifilament Filter Cloth
Continuous operating temperature: 120–130°C. The cloth can remain stable within this range without significant performance loss.
Short-term temperature: 150–160°C for no more than about one hour, such as during a brief heat surge.
Characteristics: Polyester is the most widely used option. It offers a good balance of performance and cost, with moderate heat resistance that meets the needs of most ambient- and medium-temperature industrial applications, including machine shops and textile-plant ventilation systems that normally operate below 100°C.
Polypropylene (PP) Multifilament Filter Cloth
Continuous operating temperature: 60–80°C. Above 80°C, the material can soften and lose strength.
Short-term temperature: Up to approximately 100°C for brief exposure only; longer exposure can cause deformation.
Characteristics: Polypropylene performs well at low temperatures and can be used below −10°C, but it has limited high-temperature resistance. It is suitable for low- and ambient-temperature applications such as cold-storage ventilation and general dust removal.
Nylon (PA) Multifilament Filter Cloth
Continuous operating temperature: 80–100°C. Temperatures above 100°C accelerate aging and reduce strength.
Short-term temperature: Approximately 120°C for less than 30 minutes.
Characteristics: Nylon is flexible and wear resistant, but its heat resistance is slightly lower than that of polyester. It is suitable for low- and medium-temperature applications requiring frequent cleaning, including livestock-facility ventilation and primary filtration in food-processing plants.
Aramid Multifilament Filter Cloth
Continuous operating temperature: 200–250°C, with stable long-term performance in high-temperature environments.
Short-term temperature: Above 300°C for brief heat shocks.
Characteristics: Para-aramid materials such as Kevlar provide excellent high-temperature performance, but their cost is generally five to ten times that of polyester. They are mainly used in special high-temperature applications such as metallurgy and boiler-flue-gas pretreatment.
Glass-Fiber Multifilament Filter Cloth
Continuous operating temperature: 250–300°C. As an inorganic fiber, glass fiber withstands much higher temperatures than organic fibers.
Short-term temperature: Above 500°C, making it suitable for high-temperature flue-gas filtration.
Characteristics: Glass fiber provides strong chemical resistance but is brittle and prone to breakage. It is often reinforced with resin and used in waste-incineration systems and high-temperature chemical exhaust treatment.
Other Factors Affecting Temperature Resistance
1. Manufacturing and finishing processes
Finishing treatments such as coating and calendering can change the operating limit. A PTFE coating may improve temperature resistance; for example, PTFE-coated polyester may operate continuously at up to approximately 150°C. In contrast, an ordinary resin coating can reduce the limit, and coated polypropylene may need to remain below 60°C.
Weave density also matters. A densely woven cloth has tighter fiber bonding, resists deformation better at elevated temperature, and can be slightly more stable than a low-density product.
2. Process environment
Heat combined with moisture or corrosive media accelerates material degradation. Polyester, for example, may hydrolyze in a humid environment above 100°C, reducing its service life by approximately 30%–50%. Acidic or alkaline conditions can also weaken fibers and indirectly reduce high-temperature durability; nylon degrades particularly quickly in hot acidic environments.
Practical Selection Notes
Select multifilament filter cloth according to the continuous operating temperature rather than the short-term peak rating. Sustained overheating can cause shrinkage, breakage, and reduced filtration efficiency.
For intermittent heat, such as kitchen exhaust where the temperature may briefly reach 120°C, polyester multifilament cloth can be suitable. For continuous high-temperature service above 150°C, aramid or glass-fiber cloth is normally required.
In summary, temperature resistance must be evaluated together with the material, finishing process, humidity, chemicals, and actual duty cycle. Polyester is the standard choice for conventional applications below approximately 120°C, while specialized high-temperature environments require higher-performance fibers.