Technology change towards fully synthetic air filter elements in engine air filtration

Abstract

MANN+HUMMEL is the current world market leader in automotive filtration. Following our premise “Leadership in Filtration”, we aspire to provide state-of-the-art intake air systems, filter element concepts and materials to all our customers around the globe.

This paper features a review of our newly released generation of MICROGRADE A-S filter media grades. These materials are fully synthetic nonwovens specifically developed for passenger car applications. A performance comparison with conventional, cellulose-based filter elements is provided. Filters equipped with nonwovens can achieve significantly higher dust capacities (and thus higher service intervals) than their cellulose-based counterparts. However, nonwoven filter media have a more limited range of operating conditions, as their efficiency deteriorates stronger at excessively high filtration velocities than that of cellulosic filter materials. Synthetic elements must be designed carefully to deliver the highest possible lifetime while complying with the efficiency targets. The new MICROGRADE A-S media enable MANN+HUMMEL to deliver such high-performance solutions for a wide range of applications.

Nonwoven media are a comparatively “young” material group in engine air filtration. Today, they still offer great development potential. A positive outlook can hence be cast for the market share evolution of nonwoven elements within the next decade.