Stainless Steel Basket Filter
4 mm Perforated Support Basket and Wire Mesh-Lined Filtration Basket
A stainless steel basket filter is the cylindrical element fitted into bag and basket filter housings: the perforated support basket holds the bag under pressure, while the wire mesh-lined basket filters without a bag in the 5–10,000 µm range.
AISI 304 · 316 · 316Ti · 904L
5 – 10,000 µm
Ø100 & Ø180
What Is a Stainless Steel Basket Filter?
A basket filter is a cylindrical stainless steel element with a closed bottom, placed inside a filter housing. The fluid enters through the upper side inlet of the housing, fills the inside of the basket and is filtered as it passes through the basket wall from the inside out. The retained particles collect on the inner surface of the basket; the basket is taken out of the housing, cleaned and reused.
A basket filter can perform two different tasks. When its body is made only of perforated sheet (standard 4 mm holes), it works as a support cage that holds the bag filter fitted inside it upright under pressure; used on its own, it retains particles larger than 4 mm (4,000 µm). When the inside of the body is lined with stainless steel wire mesh, the basket filters by itself with no need for a bag. Which design to choose depends on the needs of the process.
Because basket filters are made entirely of stainless steel, they withstand high temperatures, release no substances into the process they are used in and can be cleaned and reused many times. For these reasons they are preferred in food, pharmaceutical, chemical, paint, coating, water treatment and petrochemical processes.
How Are Basket Filters and Bag Filters Related?
Basket filters and bag filters are not alternatives to each other; in most applications they are two complementary elements. The bag filter does the actual filtering; the basket filter supports the bag against differential pressure and prevents it from ballooning, deforming and tearing. In processes that are to run without a bag, the inside of the basket is lined with wire mesh and the basket takes over the filtering task. Both uses apply in the same filter housing.
Why Is a Basket Filter Shorter Than the Bag?
What Does Micron Mean?
Micron (µm) describes the smallest particle size the basket can retain; in wire mesh-lined baskets it is set by the aperture of the wire mesh. The smaller the micron value, the finer the filtration, but as the open area falls, pressure drop increases and the basket needs cleaning more often. The right choice balances the particle size to be retained against an acceptable pressure drop.
Key Technical Features
- Body Material
- 100% stainless steel body; high resistance to corrosion and moisture.
- Support & Filtration Layer
- Perforated support sheet that withstands high flow rates, and wire mesh in the 5–10,000 µm range.
- Protection Layer
- An additional protection layer that shields the wire mesh from physical damage in wire mesh-lined baskets below 500 µm.
- Cleanability
- Hygienic surface that can be cleaned, washed and reused.
- Temperature Resistance
- Can operate at high temperatures; suitable for polymer, oven and hot process lines.
- Substance Release
- Inert surface that releases no substances into the process.
- Standard Sizes
- Size 1 (Ø180 × 430 mm Compatible)
- Size 2 (Ø180 × 810 mm Compatible)
- Size 3 (Ø100 × 230 mm Compatible)
- Size 4 (Ø100 × 380 mm Compatible)
- Custom Manufacturing
- Project-based manufacturing in custom lengths, custom diameters and custom micron ratings.
- Stainless Steel Grade
- AISI 304
- AISI 316 / 316L
- AISI 316Ti
- AISI 904L
- Manufacturing Standard
- CE-marked industrial manufacturing.
Usage Types: Support Basket and Filtration Basket
Perforated Support Basket
As standard, the body is made of perforated sheet with 4 mm holes; on request it can also be made with perforated sheets of other hole diameters. There is no wire mesh lining. When used with a bag, the filtration is set by the micron rating of the bag; used on its own, it retains particles larger than the hole diameter.
- Supports the bag against differential pressure and prevents it from swelling and ballooning
- Reduces the risk of the bag tearing and bursting and extends bag life
- Makes bag changes easier and keeps the bag seated correctly in the housing
- The most economical basket type
Preferred for: All applications that run with a bag filter where the bag deforms, tears or slips inside the housing under pressure.
Wire Mesh-Lined Filtration Basket
The inner surface of the perforated body is lined with wire mesh of the required micron rating. For fine ratings below 500 µm, a protection layer is added over the wire mesh and the basket is made with three layers.
- Filtration from 5 µm up to 10,000 µm is possible
- When dirty, it is washed, cleaned and reused
- The entire filter element is stainless steel
- Can operate at high temperatures and in aggressive chemical environments
Preferred for: Applications where textile or synthetic materials are not wanted in the process, where an all-stainless solution is required, or that run at high temperatures.
| Feature | Perforated Support Basket | Wire Mesh-Lined Filtration Basket |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Layers | Single layer | Two layers; three layers below 500 µm |
| Filtering | With a bag, the bag filters; on its own, retains particles above 4 mm (4,000 µm) | The basket filters |
| Micron Rating | Bag micron rating applies; 4,000 µm on its own | 5 – 10,000 µm |
| Bag Required? | Yes | No |
| Body | 4 mm perforated sheet (other hole diameters on request) | Perforated sheet + wire mesh (+ protection below 500 µm) |
| Cleanability | Washable | Washable |
| Manufacturing | Standard | On request, in the required micron rating |
Basket Structure and Layers
In a basket filter, flow is from the inside out. The fluid first contacts the inner surface of the basket, then passes through the basket wall to the housing side. Wire mesh-lined baskets consist of a perforated body and wire mesh; in baskets below 500 µm, a protection layer is also added to the inner surface and the basket has three layers.
Protection layer — inner surface
In baskets below 500 µm, the layer the fluid contacts first. It protects the wire mesh from flow impact and from physical damage during cleaning; it determines the service life of fine-micron baskets.
Wire mesh — filtration layer
The layer that does the filtering. Its aperture sets the micron rating of the basket. It is selected according to the particle size to be retained.
Perforated sheet body — outer support (standard 4 mm holes)
The supporting frame. It withstands the differential pressure from the inside out and keeps the basket in shape. Used on its own, it is the support cage for the bag.
The weave type of the lining wire mesh is selected according to the target micron rating. Plain (single) weave is used for coarse and medium filtration, while Dutch (double) weave or Twilled Dutch weave is used for fine micron ranges. For detailed information on weave types, see our stainless steel filter wire mesh page.
Standard Sizes and Bag Compatibility
- Size 1 (Standard Short)
- Compatible Bag: Ø180 × 430 mm
Basket Length / Diameter: 340 mm / Ø180 mm
Filtration Capacity: 20 m³/h - Size 2 (Standard Long)
- Compatible Bag: Ø180 × 810 mm
Basket Length / Diameter: 720 mm / Ø180 mm
Filtration Capacity: 40 m³/h - Size 3 (Mini Short)
- Compatible Bag: Ø100 × 230 mm
Basket Length / Diameter: 140 mm / Ø100 mm
Filtration Capacity: 6 m³/h - Size 4 (Mini Long)
- Compatible Bag: Ø100 × 380 mm
Basket Length / Diameter: 290 mm / Ø100 mm
Filtration Capacity: 12 m³/h
Stainless Steel Grade Options
- AISI 304 / 304L Stainless Steel
- 18% chromium, 8% nickel. Ideal corrosion resistance and an economical solution for mains water, paint, coating, plastics and general process liquids.
Avoid: Chloride-containing and highly saline environments. - AISI 316 / 316L Stainless Steel
- 18% chromium, 10% nickel, 2% molybdenum. Superior protection against saltwater and acids in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, marine, chemical and petrochemical applications.
Avoid: Highly concentrated sulphuric acid. - AISI 316Ti Stainless Steel
- Titanium-stabilised alloy. Resistant to high-temperature corrosion in hot fluids, heat treatment lines and welded structures.
Avoid: Strong reducing acids. - AISI 904L Super Austenitic Steel
- High nickel, chromium and copper content. Maximum resistance in the most aggressive chemical processes with sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid and high chloride levels.
Top tier for special processes and high corrosion risk.
304 or 316? A Decision Guide
For mains water, paint, general process liquids and dry applications, AISI 304 is usually sufficient. In processes involving saltwater, sea air, chlorides, heavy chemical contact or where hygiene is critical, AISI 316 / 316L should be preferred. For continuous high temperatures 316Ti is considered, and for aggressive environments such as sulphuric and phosphoric acid 904L. All four grades are made in all four standard lengths and in all micron ratings.
Micron – Mesh Product Selection Table
The micron rating of wire mesh-lined basket filters is set by the aperture of the wire mesh laid inside them; the values are therefore the same as the data on our stainless steel wire mesh page and range from 5 to 10,000 µm. Commonly used values are given below in four bands; the value in brackets is the mesh equivalent. Different apertures are also obtained at the same mesh count with different wire diameters; the full list is on the wire mesh page. Baskets below 500 µm are made with three layers, including a protection layer.
| Band | Micron (mesh) | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Coarse | 10,000 · 5,350 (4) · 4,080 (5) · 3,230 (6) · 2,630 (7) · 2,380 (8) · 1,970 (10) · 1,520 (12) · 1,340 (14) · 1,220 (16) · 1,040 (18) · 970 (20) · 716 (25) | Large burrs, sediment, sand and rust; pre-filtration and line protection |
| Medium | 545 (30) · 505 (35) · 425 (40) · 330 (50) · 280 (60) · 242 (70) · 200 (80) | Paint, ink, resin, varnish, plating baths, cooling and process water |
| Fine | 182 (90) · 154 (100) · 120 (120) · 109 (150) · 90 (180) · 77 (200) · 61 (250) · 45 (300) · 43 (325) | Beverage and syrup pre-filtration, food, cosmetics, chemicals, laboratory |
| Precision | Below 43 µm: down to 5 µm with Dutch and Twilled Dutch weave | Pharmaceuticals, electronics, fine chemicals, high-purity processes |
Industry Applications
With its hygienic construction, high dirt-holding capacity and easy cleaning, it is used in a wide range of industries, from pharmaceuticals to beverages and from chemicals to cosmetics:
Cleaning, Maintenance and Service Life
Because basket filters are made entirely of stainless steel, they can be cleaned and reused many times. The main sign that a basket needs cleaning is an increase in differential pressure read on the pressure gauge on the housing. When the differential pressure rises, the basket is taken out of the housing, the collected particles are emptied out and the basket is washed.
With wire mesh-lined baskets, avoid pressing a hard object against the inner surface during cleaning; the protection layer is added to prevent this kind of damage, but excessive force can deform the wire mesh. If the body is dented or perforated, or the wire mesh is torn, the basket should be replaced.
Technical Information Needed for a Quote
- Usage Type
- Is a support basket for use with a bag, or a stand-alone filtration basket without a bag, required?
- Basket Size
- Length and diameter (mm), or the bag size you already use in your system (Size 1, 2, 3, 4).
- Stainless Steel Grade
- Choice of AISI 304, 316, 316Ti or 904L alloy to suit the process conditions.
- Filtration Micron
- If a wire mesh-lined basket is required, the target micron or mesh rating.
- Order Quantity
- Number of baskets in your filter housing and the spare/order quantity required.
- Fluid Information
- Type, operating temperature, viscosity and chemical composition of the fluid to be filtered.
- Operating Conditions
- Maximum operating pressure in the line, flow rate and permitted differential pressure (ΔP).
- Existing Housing / Sample
- Brand/model of the existing filter housing (if any), or exact replication from a sample basket.
Standard and Custom Manufacturing Options
- Standard Lengths
- 140 mm (Size 3)
- 290 mm (Size 4)
- 340 mm (Size 1)
- 720 mm (Size 2)
- Standard Diameters
- Ø100 mm Standard Basket Diameter
- Ø180 mm Standard Basket Diameter
- Custom Manufacturing
- Project-based custom manufacturing in the required length, diameter, flange detail and micron rating.
- Material Options
- AISI 304
- AISI 316
- AISI 316Ti
- AISI 904L Super Austenitic
- Micron Range
- 5 µm – 10,000 µm, with all apertures on the wire mesh page and special weave options.
- Certification & Approval
- CE-marked manufacturing.
Products that work with this product
Basket Filter
We Answer Your Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
At Prosestim, we attach great importance to answering your questions and providing technical support on our filtration solutions.
What is a stainless steel basket filter?
Does a basket filter filter on its own?
Yes. Used on its own, the standard perforated basket with 4 mm holes retains particles larger than 4 mm (4,000 µm). For finer filtration, the inner surface of the basket is lined with wire mesh of the required micron rating, so that it filters in the 5–10,000 µm range with no need for a bag. Baskets below 500 µm are made with three layers, including a protection layer.
I ordered 810 mm, why did I receive 720 mm?
Basket filters are made 9 cm shorter than the bag size they match. In a housing that works with an 810 mm bag, the actual basket length is 720 mm. This difference is a design allowance left to prevent the bag from bursting at the bottom under pressure; the bottom of the bag sits on the basket base with some slack instead of being stretched tight.
What is the difference between a basket filter and a bag filter?
What is the micron range of a basket filter?
Wire mesh-lined basket filters are made from 5 µm up to 10,000 µm. The micron rating of the basket is set by the wire mesh laid inside it, so the available values are the same as the data on our stainless steel wire mesh page: from 4 mesh / 5,350 µm to 325 mesh / 43 µm in plain weave, and down to 5 µm with Dutch and Twilled Dutch weaves. Baskets below 500 µm are made with three layers.
Should I choose AISI 304 or 316 for a basket filter?
What sizes are basket filters made in?
Do you make basket filters outside the standard sizes?
Can a basket filter be washed and reused?
Which housings is a basket filter compatible with?
Does a basket filter release substances into the process?
How is the price of a basket filter calculated?
The price depends on the stainless steel grade (304 / 316 / 316Ti / 904L), the basket length and diameter, the usage type (perforated support or wire mesh-lined), the micron rating and the order quantity. For an exact price, you can fill in the quote form or call us on +90 226 353 35 70.
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