Liquid Filter Cartridges
Liquid filter cartridges remove suspended solids, sediment and dissolved contaminants from water, chemicals and process liquids. We build pleated, depth, melt-blown, string-wound and activated carbon cartridges from 0.1 to 100 micron, with DOE or SOE end caps and food-grade options. Factory-direct pricing with single-piece samples for testing.
Why Liquid Filter Cartridges
Liquid filter cartridges remove suspended solids, sediment and dissolved contaminants from water, chemicals and process liquids. We build pleated, depth, melt-blown, string-wound and activated carbon cartridges from 0.1 to 100 micron, with DOE or SOE end caps and food-grade options. Factory-direct pricing with single-piece samples for testing.
- Pleated PP and polyester media: high surface area, low pressure drop, 0.1-100 µm
- Depth melt-blown cartridges: gradient density for high dirt-holding on sediment loads
- String-wound cartridges: low-cost depth media with broad chemical compatibility
- Activated carbon cartridges: remove chlorine, taste, odor and organics by adsorption
- End caps: DOE, SOE 222/226, threaded — EPDM, Buna-N, Viton or food-grade gaskets
- Ratings from 0.1 to 100 micron with removal-efficiency data per lot
- Food-grade and FDA-compliant material options for beverage and pharma lines
- Factory-direct pricing with single-piece samples and per-lot inspection reports
WHY LIQUID FILTER CARTRIDGES
Why Media Choice Decides Your Water Quality and Filter Budget
Pleated, depth and carbon cartridges all call themselves liquid filter cartridges — but each removes a different thing in a different way. Here is what the choice buys you.
Micron-Precise Removal
Ratings from 0.1 to 100 micron with removal-efficiency data per lot. You know what a cartridge takes out before it goes in the housing, not after.
Lower Annual Cost per Housing
A pleated cartridge carries more media area, so it runs longer between changes than a depth cartridge at the same rating. Fewer changeouts means less media spend and less downtime per year.
Food-Grade & Compliance-Ready
FDA-compliant media and food-grade gaskets are standard options for beverage, dairy and pharma lines. Material certificates and no-release construction ship with the lot.
DECISION TABLE
Pleated vs Depth vs String-Wound vs Activated Carbon
Four constructions, four different jobs. Compare them on precision, life, cost and the duty they fit best.
| Factor | Pleated | Melt-Blown (Depth) | String-Wound | Activated Carbon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filtration mechanism | Surface filtration on pleated media | Depth filtration through gradient density | Depth filtration between wound yarns | Adsorption into carbon granules |
| Micron rating | 0.1-100 µm | 0.5-100 µm | 0.5-100 µm | 1-50 µm plus dissolved removal |
| Dirt-holding capacity | Medium — high surface area extends life | High — deep media bed | High — yarn layers trap deep | Medium — bed fills with adsorbed load |
| Service life | Longest at the same rating | Short to medium | Medium | Limited by bed saturation, not particles |
| Unit cost | Medium | Low | Lowest | Highest |
| Typical duty | Polished water, food and beverage | Sediment-laden water, pre-filtration | Chemicals, low-cost depth duty | Chlorine, taste, odor, organics |
COST CALCULATOR
What Cartridge Replacement Costs per Housing per Year
Worked example for one 20" cartridge in continuous water service at moderate dirt load. Intervals are typical — change on differential pressure, not the calendar.
| Media | Typical change interval | Changes per year | Typical unit price | Annual spend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pleated PP | 3 months | 4 | $7.00 | $28 |
| Melt-blown depth | 6 weeks | 8 | $4.00 | $32 |
| String-wound | 4 weeks | 12 | $3.00 | $36 |
| Activated carbon (GAC) | 6 months until saturation | 2 | $13.00 | $26 |
Typical illustration only — real intervals depend on flow, contaminant load and differential pressure. Request a cartridge audit with your operating data for a site-specific cost.
KEY SPECS DEEP DIVE
What Actually Defines a Liquid Filter Cartridge
Micron Rating
Removal ratings from 0.1 to 100 micron, stated with efficiency — nominal or absolute per your spec. We test removal efficiency at your rated micron and include the data with the lot.
Flow Rate
Typical flow for a 20" pleated cartridge is 5-15 GPM on water at moderate viscosity. Depth cartridges run lower per element, and higher-viscosity fluids need more elements or larger housings. We size the train from your flow and pressure-drop budget.
Temperature Range
Media sets the limit: polypropylene to about 80°C, polyester to about 150°C, PTFE and stainless mesh beyond. Verify your peak temperature — the media must survive the worst case, not the average.
Media and End Caps
Polypropylene, polyester, nylon, PTFE and stainless steel mesh, plus granular carbon beds. End caps in DOE, SOE 222/226 and threaded styles, with EPDM, Buna-N, Viton or food-grade gaskets to match your housing.
OEM / ODM FACTORY DIRECT
Your Brand, Our Production Line
Private-label cartridges let distributors and water-treatment companies build a recurring consumable line without owning a factory. We produce, test and pack under your part numbering — you sell the relationship.
- • Private-label packaging with your part numbering system
- • Custom media, ratings and end caps for non-standard housings
- • Sample program before volume production
- • Export documentation and consolidated shipping
- • FDA food-contact documentation support
WHAT TO SEND US
Flow rate, target micron and a fluid sample or data sheet
We recommend the media, rating and end cap configuration before you commit to a single piece. A 30-minute call with your operating data is enough to shortlist the right cartridge.
POPULAR SEARCHES
What Buyers Search in This Category
* Search terms collected from Semrush competitor keyword data — contact us to discuss matching products.
FAQ
Questions Buyers Ask
How do I choose the right micron rating for my liquid?
Match the rating to the particles you must remove. Fine chemical and food lines typically run 0.5-5 µm, general water and sediment service 5-25 µm, and coarse pre-filtration 50-100 µm. Send us a sample of your feed or your current cartridge — we will confirm the rating before quoting.
How long do liquid filter cartridges last?
Service life depends on dirt load, flow rate and media. A pleated cartridge at the same rating usually runs 2-3 times longer than a depth cartridge because its surface area is larger. Change on differential pressure — typically 20-25 psi — rather than on a fixed calendar.
Which media should I use for my process liquid?
Polypropylene covers most water and chemical duty up to about 80°C. Polyester handles higher temperatures and some solvents, nylon suits aggressive chemicals, and PTFE or stainless mesh covers extreme temperature and corrosive service. Send your fluid and temperature — we recommend the media.
Are food-grade options available?
Yes. FDA-compliant polypropylene and polyester media, food-grade gaskets, and no-release construction are available for beverage, dairy and pharma lines. Specify your food-contact regulation at inquiry and we will confirm compliance in the quote.
How long does an activated carbon cartridge keep adsorbing?
A granular carbon cartridge adsorbs until the bed saturates — typically 3-6 months in municipal water service, less with high chlorine or organic load. Test effluent chlorine regularly, and change the cartridge when breakthrough appears. Flow rate and bed volume drive the exact life.
Can I test samples before placing a volume order?
Yes, single-piece samples are standard. Run them in your housing and compare differential pressure, turbidity or particle counts against your current cartridge. We supply the sample with the same media and end caps as the production lot.
Do you provide test certificates with each lot?
Yes. Every lot ships with a per-lot inspection report covering dimensions, gasket integrity and bubble point where applicable. Removal-efficiency data at your rated micron is available on request for batch verification.
Can you private-label liquid cartridges for our brand?
Yes. We produce under your packaging and part numbering, with your media spec or a copy of your existing cartridge verified by dimensional and performance checks. Sample approval comes before volume production.
