Filtration characteristics of magnetic fibrous polymer as a new oil filter material for lubrication systems

Abstract

Magnetic fibrous polymeric filter (MFPF) elements for lubrication systems were obtained by pneumoextrusion of a thermoplastic polymer (polyamide) containing a magnetic particulate filler (barium ferrite), and treating it subsequently in magnetic fields. Using a standard laboratory oil filtration test rig, metallic particle quantifier, and an image analyser system, the dependence of the filtration characteristics of the magnetic filter medium on the magnetic parameters was investigated. The variation of pressure drop and filtration efficiency with the packing density of the lubricating filter elements was measured. A conventional lubricant filter for an internal combustion engine was also tested for comparison with the filtration performance of the magnetised filter medium. Increasing the magnetic force of the filter medium made the MFPF material more effective in filtering fine ferrous particles, without changing the pressure drop. It was concluded that MFPF can be used as an effective filter in lubrication systems.