Porous Ceramic Filtration Media
Sintered porous alumina discs, plates and tubes with controlled pore size from 1 to 200 µm for liquid, gas and air filtration.
Porous ceramics filter by depth as well as by surface, which is why they hold far more contaminant than a cloth or a screen of the same rating — and why they survive backwashing and chemical cleaning that destroys a polymer element.
Where it is used
- Fine filtration of acids, alkalis and solvents
- Air and gas filtration at high temperature
- Gas distribution and sparging in molten metals and chemical reactors
- Bubble diffusers for aeration and ozone dosing
- Catalyst supports and carrier bodies
- Vacuum chuck and air bearing surfaces
Pore size and formats
| Pore size | Typical retention | Common formats |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 5 µm | Fine filtration, sterile air | Discs, plates, candles |
| 5 – 20 µm | General liquid filtration | Discs, plates, tubes |
| 20 – 60 µm | Coarse filtration, gas distribution | Discs, plates, tubes, spargers |
| 60 – 200 µm | Aeration, sparging, flow distribution | Discs, plates, domes |
Pore size is quoted as a nominal rating on a bubble-point or mercury-intrusion basis. Tell us which method you are qualifying against and we will report on the same method.
Trade-offs you should know about
- Finer pore, lower flow. Reducing pore size raises retention and pressure drop simultaneously.
- Thicker element, longer life. A thicker disc holds more contaminant before the pressure drop reaches its limit.
- Porosity is a filter property, not a strength property. A porous part is weaker than a dense one — avoid it as a structural member.
- Cleaning matters. Backwashing, ultrasonic cleaning and acid cleaning all work; the method should be chosen for the contaminant, not for the ceramic.
Grades
AL-92 is used where cost dominates and the chemistry is benign. AL-99 is the standard choice for chemical and pharmaceutical filtration. Where the filtered medium must remain metal-free, both grades are inherently inert and introduce no iron.
Specify a filtration element
Pore size, flow rate, pressure drop limit, medium and cleaning method. We will propose the geometry and porosity.
Send us your drawing — get a quotation with a firm lead time
PDF, DWG, STEP, IGES or a photo with the critical dimensions marked. Engineering review within one working day.