316L Sintered Stainless Steel Filter Disc for Mason Jar Vacuum Drying
316L Sintered Stainless Steel Filter Disc for Bentonite Clay Vacuum Drying
Keep bentonite powder inside the jar while allowing moisture vapor to escape during vacuum oven drying.
HENGKO manufactures customizable 316L sintered stainless steel filter discs designed for powder containment, gas venting, and industrial filtration applications. These porous metal discs can be installed at the opening of a wide-mouth Mason jar to help prevent fine bentonite clay particles from escaping during vacuum drying.
Manufactured from sintered stainless steel powder, the filter disc features a rigid, interconnected porous structure. It provides a gas-permeable barrier that helps retain solid particles while allowing air and water vapor to pass through.
This simple filtration solution can help reduce powder loss, minimize contamination inside vacuum ovens, and improve material handling during laboratory drying processes.
Recommended Product Specifications
| Product | Sintered Stainless Steel Filter Disc |
| Material | 316L Stainless Steel |
| Recommended Size | Ø86 × 1 mm / Ø86 × 3 mm |
| Available Pore Size | 0.2–100 μm |
| Structure | Rigid, interconnected porous metal |
| Primary Function | Powder retention and moisture vapor venting |
| Customization | Diameter, thickness, pore size, shape and material |
| Typical Applications | Vacuum drying, powder containment, gas venting and filtration |
Note: Ø86 mm is a recommended reference diameter. Actual dimensions, pore size and thickness should be selected according to the jar opening, retention requirements, operating temperature and vacuum conditions.
Custom Sintered Metal Filter Disc Options
HENGKO provides porous stainless steel filter discs in different diameters, thicknesses and filtration grades. Custom designs are available based on drawings, samples and application requirements.
How Does a Sintered Filter Disc Work in a Vacuum Oven?
When bentonite clay is heated under reduced pressure, moisture is released from the material and removed through the vacuum system. However, fine clay particles can also become airborne during evacuation, contaminating the oven chamber and vacuum line.
Installing a sintered stainless steel disc over the jar opening creates a porous barrier between the bentonite powder and the surrounding oven chamber.
1. Retains Bentonite Powder
The porous metal structure helps capture particles that would otherwise escape from the jar. Proper pore size selection is essential for effective powder retention.
2. Allows Moisture Vapor to Escape
The interconnected pores provide passages for air and water vapor to flow through the disc, supporting moisture removal during vacuum drying.
3. Reduces Contamination and Material Loss
By limiting the release of bentonite dust, the filter disc helps keep the vacuum oven cleaner and reduces unnecessary loss of processed material.
4. Withstands Elevated Temperatures
316L stainless steel offers good thermal stability and corrosion resistance. The complete assembly, including the jar, lid and any sealing components, must be verified for the actual operating temperature and vacuum conditions.
Real Application: Bentonite Clay Drying in a Vacuum Oven
In this application, bentonite clay is stored inside a wide-mouth glass jar and heated in a vacuum oven to remove moisture. A stainless steel sintered filter disc is positioned at the jar opening to help contain fine clay particles while allowing moisture vapor to pass through.
This arrangement provides a practical solution for laboratories and industrial users handling fine powders during drying and vacuum processing.
Illustrative application: a porous stainless steel disc helps retain bentonite powder while permitting gas and moisture vapor flow.
Installation Considerations
For effective operation, the filter disc should cover the jar opening and be securely retained by a suitable holder or vented lid arrangement.
- Disc fit: Select a diameter that matches the jar opening and provides adequate sealing around the disc edge.
- Vented design: Ensure that the lid or retaining structure allows vapor to escape through the filter disc. A completely sealed solid lid will prevent effective venting.
- Pore size: Select the filtration grade based on the actual bentonite particle size distribution and acceptable powder leakage.
- Flow resistance: Consider the influence of pore size, disc thickness and available filtration area on evacuation and drying performance.
- Vacuum compatibility: Verify the mechanical strength and suitability of the jar, disc and retaining components under the intended pressure differential and temperature.
Important: The installation shown is an application illustration, not a validated vacuum vessel assembly. Standard glass Mason jars and their lids should not be assumed suitable for vacuum oven use without appropriate manufacturer confirmation and safety assessment.
Key Advantages of HENGKO Sintered Stainless Steel Filter Discs
- 316L Stainless Steel Construction: Provides corrosion resistance, mechanical strength and durability for demanding industrial applications.
- Interconnected Porous Structure: Supports gas and vapor passage while retaining particles according to the selected filtration grade.
- High-Temperature Capability: Suitable for elevated-temperature applications when the selected material and complete assembly are properly evaluated.
- Customizable Specifications: Available in different diameters, thicknesses, pore sizes and configurations.
- Rigid One-Piece Construction: Powder metallurgy manufacturing creates an integrated porous metal structure without loose woven layers.
- Multiple Industrial Applications: Suitable for powder containment, gas filtration, venting, dust control and other engineered filtration applications.
How to Select the Right Pore Size
Choosing the correct pore size is important for balancing dust retention and vapor flow. Smaller pores generally improve fine-particle retention but may increase pressure drop and drying time.
| Pore Size | Selection Consideration |
|---|---|
| 0.2–1 μm | Fine-particle retention applications where higher flow resistance can be accommodated. |
| 2–5 μm | Potential starting range for testing powder retention and moisture venting. |
| 10–20 μm | Lower flow resistance may be possible, but fine-powder penetration requires evaluation. |
| 50–100 μm | Generally more suitable for coarse-particle applications than fine bentonite dust containment. |
Engineering recommendation: For fine bentonite powder, 1 μm, 2 μm and 5 μm discs can be considered for initial application testing. Final selection should be confirmed through particle retention, pressure drop and drying performance tests.
Nominal pore size does not automatically represent an absolute particle retention rating.
OEM Sintered Metal Filter Disc Manufacturing
HENGKO supports custom porous metal component manufacturing for equipment manufacturers, laboratories and industrial engineering companies.
Customization options include:
- Custom outside diameter and thickness
- Different nominal pore sizes and permeability requirements
- 316L stainless steel and other available porous metal materials
- Disc, plate, ring and other engineered geometries
- Custom components based on technical drawings or physical samples
- Prototype development and volume manufacturing
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a sintered stainless steel filter disc prevent bentonite powder from escaping?
Yes. A properly selected sintered metal disc can help retain bentonite particles during vacuum drying. Actual performance depends on particle size, filtration grade, disc sealing and operating conditions.
Can water vapor pass through the sintered metal disc?
Yes. The interconnected porous structure allows gases and water vapor to pass through. The pressure drop depends on the disc's pore structure, thickness, filtration area and flow conditions.
What is the recommended disc size for a wide-mouth Mason jar?
Ø86 × 1 mm and Ø86 × 3 mm are reference specifications for this application. The actual jar opening and retaining structure must be measured before confirming the disc dimensions.
Is 316L stainless steel suitable for vacuum oven drying?
316L stainless steel is commonly used for corrosion-resistant and elevated-temperature components. However, the complete filter and container assembly must be evaluated for the specific vacuum pressure, temperature and chemical environment.
Can HENGKO manufacture custom pore sizes and dimensions?
Yes. HENGKO offers OEM porous metal filter components based on customer drawings, samples and technical requirements. Available specifications and manufacturing feasibility can be confirmed during quotation.
Can the filter disc be cleaned and reused?
Many sintered stainless steel filters can be cleaned and reused, depending on the application and contamination. Suitable cleaning methods should be selected according to the material, pore size and retained particles.
Request a Custom Sintered Stainless Steel Filter Disc
Looking for a porous stainless steel disc for bentonite clay drying, vacuum processing or powder containment?
HENGKO can help evaluate suitable disc dimensions, pore sizes, materials and custom manufacturing options for your application.
To receive a technical recommendation or quotation, please provide the required diameter, thickness, pore size, operating temperature, pressure conditions and estimated order quantity.
Request a Quote / OEM Customization
HENGKO Manufacturing and Quality Support
HENGKO manufactures porous sintered metal components for industrial filtration, gas distribution, environmental monitoring and custom OEM applications.
