Mann-Filter: how nanofibres aid CV air filtration

Filtration specialist Mann+Hummel has outlined the benefits of the nanofibre media in its Mann-Filter commercial vehicle air filters, including high separation efficiency and a long filter service life even under extreme operating conditions.

“With a nanofibre layer developed and produced in-house, Mann-Filter air filters set new benchmarks in filtration for commercial vehicles,” said Mann+Hummel.

“Even under dusty conditions, such as on construction sites or on the road, this coating reliably filters the finest particles out of the intake air. The result is high separation efficiency, long service intervals, and minimal flow resistance.”

The family-owned enterprise is one of the few manufacturers worldwide that develops and manufactures its own nanofibre media. It is used, for example, in the Mann-Filter C 50 004/1 air filters for the Mercedes-Benz Actros II, in the C 26 024 kit for the DAF XF 105 and XF 106, and in the C 29 046 for the latest XG-generation DAF trucks.

Nanofibre filter media consist of a cellulose base onto which ultra-fine polymer fibres are applied in ultra-thin layers. The fibres are not visible to the naked eye. With an average diameter of just 0.15 to 0.13 micrometres, the nanofibres are up to 500 times finer than a human hair and up to 300 times finer than the fibres of the base material. This significantly increases the surface area available for particle capture, explains Mann+Hummel, which greatly improves the filter’s dust holding capacity.

“While the base material alone traps about 40 percent of particles of this size, the nanofibre filter medium achieves a separation efficiency of up to 99.98 percent. Even the tiniest impurities are filtered out of the intake air almost completely and are deposited on the surface of the medium. This prevents particles from entering the base medium and clogging pores there. This supports long service intervals.

“Despite the high separation efficiency, the flow resistance remains low. At the same time, the small fibre diameter ensures a stable fibre network and reduces the risk of tears. In addition, the filter medium meets other requirements of modern commercial vehicle applications. The flame-retardant impregnation enhances safety in the air induction system; furthermore, the medium is characterized by high water stability. Particularly in the commercial vehicle segment, uncompromising quality is essential to avoid costly breakdowns and downtime—and the demands placed on the components and materials used are correspondingly high.

Jörg Schömmel, senior range manager IAM at Mann+Hummel, added: “The ultra-fine nanofibre layer in our filters is the result of the expertise of nearly 1,100 researchers and developers worldwide who are constantly working on innovative technologies.

“The result is an exclusive filter medium that is available only to Mann+Hummel — no other filter manufacturer has access to it. This allows us to provide our customers with filtration performance that stands out on the market thanks to its combination of nanofibre technology, service life and flow rates.”

www.mann-hummel.com