The use of finely woven mesh sheets is crucial to many industries where filtering and purifying liquids, solids and gases are important parts of the research or overall production process. Nylon filter cloth is one such mesh with a range of applications. It is a monofilament woven net, meaning it is constructed from interweaving single threads rather than strands made from several threads twisted together. This construction allows for high precision apertures (mesh holes) from as small as 20 micrometres in diameter up to a 2000 micron diameter.
On fabrication, the sheets of nylon cloth are treated according to their final use in order to improve their resistance to heat, abrasion, moisture and chemicals. The sheets are scoured to remove foreign substances and create a pure surface for whatever purpose it will then be applied, and finally, through a process called “heat setting” the yarns are stabilized to eliminate the possibility of shrinkage.
What is it used for?
Nylon filter cloth is used for a range of applications. In the chemical and pharmaceutical industry it is used to purify substances to be put to medical or other use, while in biology and ecology research it can be used for the clarification of aqueous solutions and the removal of algae and cells. This assists in particle analysis at the micro-scale. The extremely fine mesh is also used for the pre-filtration of solvents and paint monitoring, which helps keep products safe for human use. In the food and beverage industry, nylon filter cloth is used to separate unwanted elements from the final product, such as removing the dirt from whisky and wine, or extracting lumps from soup. In bee keeping the nylon mesh is extremely useful for sieving honey through as it does not deteriorate like some softer fabrics. It has been used in coal mining for the extraction of impurities though nowadays this is a lesser industry. Nylon filter cloth works well in alkali conditions so could be the only option for certain working environments. On a smaller and more artistic scale, this fabric can be used for home screen printing.
Why does it work so well?
The advantages of nylon filter cloth over other finely woven mesh materials are also numerous. Firstly, it provides great strength and elasticity, making it very durable under pressure, motion and repeated use. The elasticity prevents nylon filter cloth from suffering permanent deformation, enabling prolonged usage of a consistently high quality. It can be used in dry temperatures of up to 125°C or moist temperatures of 105°C and is compatible with a broad range of solvents for filtration. The smooth surface created by the nylon monofilament enables filtered materials to drop off. It is also extremely resistant against scratching making it a useful tool for sieving out abrasive dusts. This overall robustness means that the filter is washable and reusable, so a fantastic and economical tool for the aforementioned industries where repeated use could decay a less resistant fabric.
About the author:
Emily is a young enthusiastic writer with particular interests in environment, science, food, technology, architecture and travel. She holds a 2:1 BSc Physical Geography (International) from the University of Leeds and currently works as an outdoor equipment specialist and freelance article writer, while searching for opportunities in energy and sustainability.
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