1060 H18 aluminum foil for hepa air filter

1060 H18 aluminum foi for hepa air filter

1060 H18 aluminum foil is the industry-standard material for the separators in genuine HEPA filters because it provides the perfect balance of:

• Permanent Rigidity (from the H18 temper)

• Long-term Corrosion Resistance (from the 1060 alloy)

• Lightweight and Clean properties

Its properties ensure that a HEPA filter maintains its structural integrity, pleat spacing, and filtration efficiency over its entire service life, even in demanding environments. When you see a rigid, metal-separated HEPA filter

1. Alloy: 1060

2. Temper: H18

3. Thickness: Typically ranges from 0.03mm to 0.1mm . The exact thickness depends on the required pleat height and the rigidity needed for the specific filter design.

4. Width: Slit to the exact width required for the filter's pleat height.

5. Corrugation Pitch and Height: The foil is supplied flat on a coil, but it is specified to be run through a corrugating machine with specific tooling to create the required wave pattern (e.g., 3mm pitch, 2.5mm height).

Why is 1060 H18 the Preferred Choice for HEPA Filters?

HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters have very specific structural requirements, and 1060 H18 foil meets them perfectly.

1. High Strength and Rigidity (The "H18" Temper):

   • Function: The aluminum foil is used to create the corrugated separators (also called baffles or pleat spacers) that sit between the layers of filter media.

   • Requirement: These separators must be strong enough to maintain a precise, consistent gap between the filter media pleats. This prevents the pleats from collapsing under airflow pressure or during handling, which would ruin the filter's efficiency.

   • Why H18: The fully hard temper provides the necessary "springiness" and rigidity to hold the pleats open permanently, ensuring optimal airflow and surface area throughout the filter's life.

2. Excellent Corrosion Resistance (The "1060" Alloy):

   • Function: Air passing through a filter can carry moisture and various chemical vapors.

   • Requirement: The separator material must not rust or corrode over time. Corrosion would weaken the structure, create particulate debris that could be released downstream, and potentially outgas contaminants.

   • Why 1060: The 99.6% purity of 1060 aluminum offers superb resistance to atmospheric corrosion, making it ideal for long-term use in air handling systems.

3. Ease of Manufacturability:

   • Process: The foil is run through a corrugating machine to create its characteristic wavy pattern.

   • Why 1060 H18: While H18 is hard, 1060 aluminum is still formable enough to be cleanly corrugated without cracking. This combination is the sweet spot: it's formable enough to process but becomes rigid and stable after forming.

4. Light Weight:

   • Aluminum is lightweight, which helps keep the overall weight of the HEPA filter down, making it easier to handle and install.

5. Cleanliness and Non-toxicity:

   • Aluminum is a clean material that does not off-gas or release harmful substances, which is critical for maintaining air quality.