A strainer that is correctly sized and positioned in the process but made from the wrong materials will underperform, corrode, contaminate product, or fail before its expected service life. Material selection is not a secondary consideration, it is as important to long-term strainer performance as flow rate calculations or basket configuration.

For food, beverage, and dairy processors in particular, materials must comply with regulatory and hygiene standards and be compatible with cleaning-in-place (CIP) chemicals that can be aggressive at operating temperatures.

Body and housing materials

Eaton strainers and filter systems are available in a range of body materials to suit different process and environmental conditions:

  • 304 stainless steel - widely used in food and beverage applications for its corrosion resistance and ease of cleaning.
  • 316 stainless steel - preferred where higher chloride resistance is required, such as coastal environments or aggressive CIP regimes.
  • Carbon steel - commonly specified for industrial water and general process applications where cost is a primary consideration and corrosion risk is managed through other means.
  • Cast iron - used in lower-pressure, lower-temperature industrial applications where chemical compatibility is not a critical factor.
  • Polypropylene (PP) and PVDF - used for bag filter housings in chemical and process applications where metal compatibility is a concern.

Download the Eaton Filtration Body and Housing Materials of Construction

Seal materials

Seal compatibility with the process fluid and CIP chemicals is critical. An incorrectly selected seal material will swell, harden, or degrade under operating conditions, leading to leakage, contamination risk, and unplanned maintenance. Eaton strainers are available with the following seal options:

  • Viton (FKM) - strong chemical and temperature resistance; commonly selected where chlorinated cleaning chemicals are in use.
  • Buna-N (Nitrile) - good resistance to oils and fuels; a cost-effective option in general industrial applications.
  • EPDM - widely used in food and beverage applications; compatible with hot water, steam, and many CIP chemicals.
  • PTFE-encapsulated Viton and Teflon - used in high-purity or highly aggressive chemical environments where conventional elastomers are not suitable.
  • Silicone - suited to high-temperature food-contact applications.

Manufacturing standards and compliance documentation

Eaton strainers and filter systems are manufactured at ISO9001:2016 accredited facilities and can be fabricated to meet standards including ASME, and ABS , based on your industry standards. Testing certification and related documentation can be supplied upon request to ensure your chosen strainer meets your compliance requirements

For processors operating under food safety management systems or third-party audit requirements, having the correct material and compliance documentation in place is a baseline expectation.

Selecting materials for your application

Material selection should never be treated as a default or a lowest-cost decision. The combination of body material, seal material, and basket or element material must be assessed together against the process fluid, operating temperature, CIP regime, and any regulatory requirements specific to the application.

The Smart Membrane Solutions team works with customers to specify Eaton strainers with the correct materials for the process, and to ensure that the compliance documentation required for the application is identified and provided as part of the supply.

To discuss material selection and compliance requirements for your application, contact the Smart Membrane Solutions team - get in touch here.

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