When discussing air or fluid filtration we sometimes sense that some people have the impression that a 50 mesh screen and a 50 micron filter bag provide the same degree of filtration. In reality, a 50 mesh screen is five times more course than the 50 micron filter.
The mesh (sieve) system is based on the number of meshes per linear inch. Whereas, a micron rating filter is based on the maximum particle size that will pass through the filter media. Coating Manufacturers prefer the micron rating system. They use an absolute rated micron filter bag for their final filtration when they package their coatings. The naked eye should see a particle 40 micron in size. When consistency in filtration is important, micron rated filters are the way to go.
MESH SIZE compared to MICRON SIZE
Opening
Opening
Meshes Per
U. S. Mesh
In Microns
In Inches
Linear Inch
(Sieve) Number
Typical Application
1000
0.0394
18
Pick-Up Screen, Airless Pump
297
0.0117
52.36
50
Latex, Pigment Coatings
250
0.0098
62.83
60
Industrial, Pigment Coatings
210
0.0083
72.45
70
Industrial, Pigment Coatings
190
0.0075
77
Auto. Solvent Basecoats & Clearcoats
149
0.0059
101.01
100
Industrial, Clearcoats
125
0.0049
120
Automotive Water-Base Basecoats
105
0.0041
142.86
140
74
0.0029
200
200
53
0.0021
270.26
270
44
0.0017
323
325
10
0.00039
Hydraulic Oil, Downdraft Ceiling Media
0.5
0.000019
Air Purification
Handle: news/mesh-vs-micron-filtration-what-is-it-all-about