Sintered Metal Tube: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

If you have any questions about sintered metal tube, you will find the answer right here.

This guide has all the important information you have been looking for about sintered metal tube.

Let’s dive right in.

What is Sintered Metal Tube?

 Sintered metal tube

These are special metal tubes made from sintering process.

Depending on the structure you need, you can find sintered metal tube with single or several layers.

Also, depending on the type of metal you need, you can opt for sintered stainless steel metal tube, sintered copper metal tube or sintered bronze metal tube.

What are the Uses of Sintered Metal Tube?

Several industries use sintered metal tubes, and they include:

Food and Beverage Industries

Here, a sintered metal tube will block the food nutrients preventing them from washing away.

Also, it will assist in eliminating contaminants that would affect the quality of foods and beverages.

Hydroelectric Power Plants

A sintered metal tube will clean water that turns turbines in this plant.

It assists in maintaining a good electric power cycle production with no to minimal interruptions.

Gas Production Plants

A sintered metal tube allows filtration of gases to eliminate contaminants which would affect its performance.

Also, this tube has tiny pores that will capture small contaminants in the gas.

Chemical Processing Industries

Sintered metal tubes will filter out harmful contaminants and improve the efficiency of chemical products.

Petroleum Industries

This device will enhance the purity of various petroleum products by eliminating contaminants.

It makes the petroleum products pure thus will not affect the operations of machines.

Pharmaceutical Industries

The sintered metal tube will remove contaminants from pharmaceutical products.

This makes them suitable for human consumption and enhances their effectiveness at providing medicinal value.

What are the Advantages of Sintered Metal Tube?

This equipment offers numerous advantages on several levels.

They include:

Molding

It is possible to shape the sintered metal sheet to make a sintered metal tube as per your preference.

One can achieve this by soldering and welding it to different shapes and sizes.

Besides, the material is strong and flexible to handle the molding processes.

Good Permeability

This advantage enables the sintered metal tube to have a proper flow of the fluids.

Besides, it will only allow the fluids to pass through and block the contaminants.

Pore Distribution

Also, the sintered metal tube has a large distribution of pores on its surface.

These pores will increase the filtration efficiency of the sintered metal tubes.

Stability

The cylindrical shape of a sintered metal tube makes it a stable device.

This means it can cope with high pressures from various fluids without losing its shape.

Strong Mechanical Strength

This makes it possible for use in extremely harsh environments such as high temperature and pressure levels.

The strength will enable them to have no damage from such conditions.

Porosity

It is possible to dictate the porosity of a sintered metal tube.

This makes it possible to fit into the application of your need as you can adjust the sizes of the pores.

Resistance to Corrosion and Thermal Shocks

This device will withstand corrosion and thermal shock during its operation.

It means you can use it in extremely high temperatures and with corrosive chemicals, and no damage will happen to them.

Ease of Maintenance

Cleaning and servicing a sintered metal tube will make it durable.

Besides, it is easy to clean the device, and you will not need to shut the machine off for a long time.

What is Sintering?

Sintering is the formation and compaction of solid materials by heating or applying pressure without melting them.

What is the Sintering Process?

This process involves three stages that include:

Initial Stage

The sintering process happens in furnaces that will cool materials at a consistent rate.

This cooling happens at a rate that matches the creating of the crystalline or martensitic structure.

Here, the particles first remain since the compaction or melting will not occur as it is not complete.

Also, in powder metallurgy, the sintering temperature is lower than the melting point of the main metal within the material.

Besides, this temperature is high to enable neck formation when there is contact between the adjacent particles.

One will accomplish the consolidation process using a toolset that will compact the particles close together.

Sintering in 3D is another consolidation process that involves partially melting the powders using a laser or a thermal print head.

Traditional sintering for powder metallurgy, cold welds will conjoin the particles together.

This will make the powder compact to be strong enough to hold the material together for further processing.

Intermediate Process

Here, the density of the packing will increase when adjacent necks bond and the particles diffuse.

The final channel closure will increase the densification.

There are two techniques to achieve this:

• Transient sintering liquid phase – This involves adding copper powder to the iron powder.

It will counter the natural shrinkage of the pole that would happen in the sintering process.

Copper will fully melt at regular sintering temperatures.

This makes it infuse with and swell particles or iron.

It is vital to properly calculate the copper that will cause swelling as this will help with inhibition of the shrinkage that would occur.

Molten copper will therefore increase the strength of the material when it cools and hardens.

• Permanent sintering liquid phase – This phase will enhance the capillarity that will attract liquids into the open pores.

Also, this will lead to the movement of the grain, which improves packing.

This phase is popular with materials like cemented carbides.

Final Stage

In this stage, the volume will decrease due to pore shrinkage.

Also, there are some pores in isolation that will remain.

Besides, the loose pack of materials in the early stage of the sintering process will form a solid stage substance.

Here, the liquid will move from areas of more density to areas that have remnant pores.

To rearrange the particles correctly, you will melt a binder additive.

Also, once you complete this process, you can employ secondary processes to optimize performance.

This can include impregnation using resins or oils and the infiltration process using molten metals.

These secondary processes may include surface engineering such as:

• Shot peening
• Machining
• Vapor deposition
• Stream treatment
• High-velocity thermal spraying

Which Technique do you use to make Sintered Metal Tube?

We apply the sintering process to make sintered metal tubes.

The raw materials we use for this process are metal in powder form or a mixture with different metal alloys.

These are the steps we follow when making a sintered metal tube:

Step One: Preparation

Preparation of materials can occur by grinding them to a powder state.

Also, we can atomize them to form powder metal alloys.

Besides, some industries allow you to purchase raw materials as a form of OEM business.

We may use pure metal substances or a mixture to form an alloy during manufacturing, depending on the outcome we want to achieve.

Step Two: the Shaping of Materials

In this step, we measure the quantities of the substance in line with the size of the sintered metal tube we want to make.

We then proceed by pouring powdered metal into a molding machine.

Then follow the application of ample pressure on the substance at room temperature.

Using high pressure makes the powdered metal particles infuse together.

After infusion, they will form solid plates that are of varying sizes and thickness.

Step Three: Heating the Materials

In this step, we apply heat to the final product at a temperature below the melting point of the metal.

This heat forces the metal powder particles to bind or infuse together and leave enough space for the pores.

We then mold the sintered metal sheet into several layers that we will form into a tube.

For the final product, we make sure to weld the ends properly and use O-rings to secure them and prevent leakages.

What is the Working Principle of Sintered Metal Tube?

 How sintered metal tube works

Fluid will pass via the sintered metal tube in line with its position.

Also, the fluid that flows from one end of the sintered metal tube has many contaminants.

A change in pressure will cause a pressure drop as the fluid passes in the sintered metal tube.

When there is a pressure drop, it means the speed of the fluid within the sintered metal tube is low.

This makes the fluid take a long time to pass through the small pores of the tube.

The effect of this is that large contaminants will remain behind as the clean fluid passes through to the other end.

Also, one can remove the contaminants in the tube by applying backwash to the tube.

This means the contaminants will leave the tube from the point of entry.

Also, the clean fluid will exit the sintered metal tube from the exit point.

What should you Look for when Selecting Sintered Metal Tube?

Focus on these things when choosing a suitable sintered metal tube:

High-quality Material

Ensure the sintered metal tube is of high quality.

This will increase its lifespan.

Micron Variation

The micron rating will indicate the type of contaminants it can eliminate.

Ensure the micron rating matches the fluid and contaminants in your application.

For instance, an absolute micron rating of 10 means eliminating 99% of contaminants over 10 microns.

Also, a nominal micron rating of 10 means it will remove 60% of contaminants.

It will also allow many particles with a micron rating of 10 to pass through the sintered metal tube.

Pressure Drop

This is the loss in pressure when the fluids or gasses flow through the sintered metal tube.

Ensure you determine this by your application before choosing one.

Temperature Range

The range of temperature in the operating environment is a vital factor to consider.

This will determine the kind of sintered metal tube you will be using in your application.

Strength

This equipment is a suitable choice when you require high strength.

Also, they offer the same strength in both forward and reverse flow.

Resistance to Corrosion

Ensure the sintered metal tube can withstand fluids with high chemical content.

Dirt Holding Capability

Depending on your usage, ensure it can hold a large number of contaminants before becoming ineffective.

Is Sintered Metal Tube Strong?

Yes, a sintered metal tube is strong as the pressure will form a strong connection known as green strength.

What Materials can make Sintered Metal Tube?

There are various materials you can use to make a sintered metal tube.

Stainless steel is one of these materials as it offers high mechanical strength and is resistant to corrosion.

Besides, sintered stainless steel can operate efficiently with no damages under high pressure and temperature conditions.

Bronze is also an alternative to stainless steel as it still offers resistance to corrosion.

Besides, bronze is an affordable material, thus a cost-effective alternative to manufacturing sintered metal tubes.

The downside is that it is not as strong as stainless steel.

This makes it weak, meaning it cannot handle high temperature and pressure applications without damage.

Another material you can include in manufacturing sintered metal tubes is nickel and its alloys.

This combination makes it suitable for making sintered metal tubes suitable for extreme working conditions.

However, since sintered nickel can handle these harsh conditions effectively, it is also costly to purchase and manufacture.

How do Sintering, Curing, and Annealing compare?

Sintering, curing, and annealing compare in the following ways:

Sintering

Powdered metal

This is a heat-treatment method that will cause powdered substances to form monolithic materials.

It will make use of the diffusion that happens between the single particles in the powder.

Sintering can happen in both a solid and liquid state.

Curing

This is a technique that you will use to speed up the chemical reaction.

It is suitable for polymeric and polymeric material composite.

When a thermoset polymer fails to set within a reasonable time at room temperature, you will use a curing oven.

The curing oven applies high temperature to enable the curing process.

For instance, one can cure a pre-preg carbon fiber when you drape it over a mold.

The curing process will enable it to have and retain the shape of the mold.

Monomers will react rapidly at curing temperatures which leads to the formation of thermoset polymers.

This will harden the pre-preg mat substance.

Annealing

Annealing

This is a heat-treatment technique for relieving stress on a substance using very high temperatures.

It will reduce internal stress and the overall elastic energy within inter-atomic bonds in a treated substance.

Besides, it is a terminology that refers to heat-treatment of metals, a high-performance polymer, and ceramic glass.

For example, you can anneal cold-rolled steel billet to make it into another product.

One will use this process when the internal stress is not recommendable, such as before conducting machining.

Machining will alter the distribution of internal stress by the removal of the material.

What Material Makes Up a Sintered Stainless Metal Tube?

Stainless steel is suitable in applications that need high corrosion resistance both at room and ambient temperature.

The materials that will make a sintered stainless steel metal tube are:

Martensitic Stainless Steel

These are suitable in applications that prioritize hardness.

One of the grades is 410 that have heat treatment or sinter hardening.

Also, it is a hard material and is magnetic.

Besides, it is not as resistant to corrosion as ferritic stainless steel.

Ferritic Stainless Steel

This material is magnetic and has less resistance to corrosion than austenitic stainless steel.

One can use grade 434 to achieve resistance to high corrosion.

Grade 409 is suitable for the resistance of high oxidation at high-temperature levels.

It also offers good weldability.

Austenitic Stainless Steel

This will offer the best corrosion resistance.

Common grades are 304 and 316 for corrosive applications.

303 stainless steel is suitable for easy machining, while grade 310 is suitable for refractory stainless steel.

Besides, they are not magnetic.

Also, you can enhance their mechanical strength by altering the sintering parameters.

However, some corrosion resistance is lost.

What are the Types of Sintered Metal Tubes available?

They are:

Sintered Porous Metal Tubes

This type will have pores on the metal tube that will assist in the filtration process.

Also, the surface area is less than that of a pleated sintered metal tube hence a low efficiency.

Besides, they offer low operational costs thus are economical.

Pleated Sintered Metal Tubes

Pleated sintered metal tubes

This type will offer more efficiency than a sintered porous metal tube.

They have a large surface area that will increase the filtration efficacy.

Can you Clean Sintered Metal Tube?

Cleaning a sintered metal tube will ensure it lasts for a long time and performs optimally.

It is advisable to clean the device at regular intervals to eliminate contaminants that accumulate over time.

This means the cleaning process will involve some stages for it to be efficient.

A regular cleaning routine will enable you to clean the sintered metal tube regularly without fail.

For example, it will influence when you perform backwashing to remove contaminants.

Besides, regular cleaning helps you know when to conduct a thorough cleaning on the device.

This will assist in increasing the lifespan and also indicate when the time for a replacement is near.

What is the Purpose of using Porous Metal for Sintered Metal Tube?

These substances offer the best efficient and effective filtration for both liquids and gases.

Other filtration equipment is vulnerable to high temperatures, pressure levels, and corrosive substances.

Porous sintered metal tubes are highly efficient at eliminating contaminants.

They are also easy to clean and maintain.

Besides, they have a long life span than other filters like filter bags, frame filters, leaf filters, etc.

They are also suitable for corrosive, high temperature, and pressure applications.

What Factors Determine the Price of Sintered Metal Tube?

Several factors will influence the price of a sintered metal tube.

Also, the sintered metal tube price will vary between USD 2 and USD 90 depending on the type and other factors.

The type of sintered metal tube you are choosing will determine its price.

Here are some factors that will determine the price:

Type of Metal

 Bronze sintered metal tube

The metal that makes the sintered metal tube varies.

Nickel sintered metal tubes are expensive than bronze sintered metal tubes.

The reason is that nickel sintered metal tubes are of better quality than bronze sintered metal tubes.

Also, it will offer high resistance to corrosion and high mechanical strength, which will increase its durability.

Size and Number

Small sintered metal tubes will cost less than large sintered metal tubes.

Also, when you purchase more of the equipment, you will spend more.

Country of Origin

Sintered metal tubes from China will cost less than those from other countries.

This is because they are the leading manufactures in the entire world.

Also, they offer the following advantages:

• Quality – They make high-quality sintered metal tubes as they use the best materials from equipment manufacturers.

Also, they add extra value and increase the efficiency and durability of the machine.

• Variety – They produce sintered metal tubes from different materials, thus offering a wide array of prices.
• Micron rating – This is how much of the contaminants a sintered metal tube can eliminate.

Absolute micron sintered metal tubes are expensive than nominal sintered metal tubes.

This is because absolute micron rating tubes will have high filtration efficiency than the nominal ones.

• Supply and demand – When the supply of sintered metal tubes is high, and the demand is low, the prices will decrease.

On the contrary, when the supply is low, and the demand is high, the prices will skyrocket.

• Discounts and sales – Some manufacturers will offer huge discounts when purchasing a high number of sintered metal tubes.
• This is applicable only when you plan to import or buy in bulk.

At Filson Filters, we will help get a suitable sintered metal tube for unique application requirements.

So for any inquiries or questions, feel free to contact our team.