Frequently asked questions about filter bags

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why should you choose us?

A: We put you first and go the extra mile!

Q: How can I tell what type of material I am presently using?

A. Send us a sample filter bag for testing or if you need to establish fabric fiber immediately, use this method using a clean piece of material.

Most fabrics can be identified in the field by conducting a very simple burn test. A small piece of fabric, approximately one-quarter inch wide by two inches long (1/4" x 2"), taken from a cuff, will be sufficient for the test. To identify the fabric, just ignite one end and let the test piece burn back for a distance of about one inch (1"), then compare the characteristics to the fiber characteristics below.

Acrylic	Melts and burns fast flickering flame. Black smoke	Fainlty sweet, slightly "hot iron" odor	Resembles burned head of wooden match. Crumbles into black or brownish orange powder
FABRIC	BURNING CHARACTERICS	ODOR	ASH
Cotton	Burns with a flame. Has an afterglow.	Burning paper	Black and powdery
Polyester	Melts and burns with a flickering flame. Gives off thick, black smoke	Faintly sweet, slight geranium odor	Hard, black, round and shiny
Polypropylene	Melts and burns with steady flame. Clear flame, no smoke. Looks like melting glass. Melted portion is clear	Very little odor	Hard, turns opaque
Nylon	Melts and burns with flickering flame. Gives off white smoke	Burning garbage	Hard, round, fray or brown, shiny
Nomex	Very slow to ignite. Will not support combustion. No melting. Material chars and curls up	Faintly sweet	Black, dull finish crushes into black powder

Q. What is a snapband?

A. A snapband is on the open end(s) of a bag and is an easy way to provide a tight leak proof seal between the tubesheet and bag.

A snapband is constructed of a stainless steel spring steel band, with felt grooved material and covering. Snapbands range in size from 3/4" wide to 1.5" wide. An average width is 1" and generally up to 6 1/4" diameter (other sizes available on custom orders).

Q. What is a tubesheet?

A. The tubesheet is a metal sheet with either punched holes or welded standpipes found inside the baghouse separating the clean air side from the dirty air side. Dust/filter bags are attached to the tubesheet. The tubesheet can be either at the top of the baghouse or on the bottom, as a floor.

Frequently Asked Questions

FABRIC

BURNING CHARACTERICS

ODOR

ASH

Cotton

Burns with a flame. Has an afterglow.

Burning paper

Black and powdery

Polyester

Melts and burns with a flickering flame. Gives off thick, black smoke

Faintly sweet, slight geranium odor

Hard, black, round and shiny

Polypropylene

Melts and burns with steady flame. Clear flame, no smoke. Looks like melting glass. Melted portion is clear

Very little odor

Hard, turns opaque

Nylon

Melts and burns with flickering flame. Gives off white smoke

Burning garbage

Hard, round, fray or brown, shiny

Nomex

Very slow to ignite. Will not support combustion. No melting. Material chars and curls up

Faintly sweet

Black, dull finish crushes into black powder

Acrylic

Melts and burns fast flickering flame. Black smoke

Fainlty sweet, slightly "hot iron" odor

Resembles burned head of wooden match. Crumbles into black or brownish orange powder

REPLACEMENT DUST COLLECTOR FILTER BAGS