Cartridge Filters
Replacement cartridge filters for dust collectors — pleated filter elements in cellulose/polyester, spunbond polyester, nanofiber, and PTFE membrane media. OEM-compatible and custom sizes for all major collector brands.
Your cartridge dust collector is only as good as its filter media. When the media, size, or service life is wrong, the whole system underperforms — pressure drop climbs, pulse-cleaning can’t keep up, airflow declines, and dust starts getting through to the clean side or back into the workspace. The filter cartridge is where performance lives or dies.
Choosing the right replacement filter comes down to matching the media type to your dust, sizing the cartridge to your collector, and understanding when your current filters are actually done versus when they just need a cleaning cycle adjustment. There’s a lot of money wasted on premature filter changes — and a lot of risk created by running filters too long. The right answer depends on what you’re collecting, how aggressive your pulse-cleaning is, and what your pressure drop readings are actually telling you.
Your replacement filters are sourced for all major dust collector brands — Donaldson Torit, Camfil APC (Farr), Parker Hannifin, Imperial Systems, Nederman, and others. OEM-compatible dimensions and media options, with custom sizes available for non-standard collectors. Most standard sizes ship in 3–7 business days.
Not sure what you need? Give us your collector make and model, or the dimensions of your current filters, and we’ll identify the right replacement — media type, pleat count, end cap configuration, and gasket style.
Media Types & When to Use Each
The media is the most important decision. It determines efficiency, filter life, pressure drop behavior, and whether the filter can handle your specific dust characteristics.
80/20 Cellulose/Polyester Blend
The standard workhorse for general-purpose dust collection. An 80% cellulose, 20% polyester blend delivers high efficiency (99.7%+ at 0.5 μm) at a reasonable cost. Works well on most dry, non-oily dusts, including wood, general metal, concrete, grain, and similar particulates. Temperature rating up to approximately 275°F continuous. This is the default media — upgrade only when dust characteristics require it.
Spunbond Polyester
100% synthetic media for applications where cellulose won’t hold up — moisture, oil mist, mild chemical exposure, and outdoor installations where humidity is a factor. Washable in some configurations, which extends filter life in high-moisture environments. Better abrasion resistance than cellulose blends. Good choice for food processing, outdoor collectors, and anywhere filters are exposed to intermittent moisture or condensation.
Nanofiber Surface-Loading
Ultra-fine fiber layer bonded to the surface of a substrate media. Dust collects on the surface rather than penetrating into the media depth — this means pulse-cleaning is more effective and the filter maintains lower, more stable pressure drop over its life. Efficiency typically 99.99%+ at 0.5 μm. Higher upfront cost, but often lower total cost of ownership because filters last longer and the collector runs at lower differential pressure, saving fan energy.
PTFE Membrane
Expanded PTFE (ePTFE) membrane laminated to the filter surface. The highest efficiency available in cartridge form — captures the finest particles and releases dust cake almost completely during pulse-cleaning. Best choice for toxic or high-value dusts (pharmaceutical, lead, hexavalent chromium, silica), fine/sticky particulate that blinds standard media, and any application where maximum efficiency or clean-side purity matters most. Highest cost, but justified when the dust is hazardous, or the consequences of a breakthrough are serious.
Flame-Retardant Media
FR-treated cellulose/polyester or synthetic media for applications where sparks or hot particles enter the collector — welding fume, plasma and laser cutting, grinding, and thermal spray. The FR treatment prevents the filter from sustaining combustion if a spark reaches the media. Required by most codes and insurance underwriters for any application with spark-generating processes. Often combined with a spark arrestor upstream of the collector.
Anti-Static / Conductive Media
Filters with conductive fibers or carbon-loaded media that dissipate static charge to the grounded collector housing. Required for combustible dust applications where an electrostatic discharge could serve as an ignition source — aluminum, magnesium, titanium, sugar, starch, pharmaceutical powders, and other dusts with low minimum ignition energy (MIE). NFPA 660 and a dust hazard analysis will determine whether anti-static media is required for your specific dust.
Cartridge Styles & End Cap Options
Cartridge filters come in different physical configurations depending on the collector brand and model. Getting the right fit matters — a cartridge that doesn’t seat properly bypasses the filter entirely.
Flanged / Bolt-On
Metal end cap with bolt holes for mounting to the tubesheet. Common on Donaldson Torit and many other brands. The gasket provides the seal—replace it with each filter change to prevent bypass. Available in round and oval configurations.
Open/Open (Slip-In)
Both ends open — slides into a housing that provides the seal. Used in some vertical-mount and horizontal-mount configurations. Simpler installation but requires the housing and seals to be in good condition. Common on certain Camfil APC (Farr) and Nederman models.
Open/Closed (Capped)
One end open; the other closed with a metal or composite cap. Dirty air enters the open end and flows through the pleated media to the clean side. The most common configuration used across many collector brands and models. End cap material (metal vs. composite) and gasket style vary by manufacturer.
Three-Lug / Bayonet
Quick-change mounting with a twist-lock bayonet connection. Faster filter changes than bolt-on styles — important in applications with frequent replacement schedules or large filter counts. Common on some Donaldson Torit and Imperial Systems collectors.
Oval / Oblong
Oval cross-section cartridges that pack more media area into the same collector footprint compared to round cartridges. Used in newer collector designs for higher air-to-cloth ratios. Not interchangeable with round cartridges — the collector housing is designed for the specific oval profile.
Conical / Tapered
Tapered cartridge shape that promotes better dust release during pulse-cleaning by allowing the dust cake to fall away more easily. Used on some newer collector designs. The taper also helps distribute airflow more evenly across the pleat pack, which can extend filter life in heavy-loading applications.
How to Know When Filters Need Replacing
Cartridge filters don’t fail all at once — they degrade gradually. Here’s what to watch and what the numbers actually mean.
Rising Baseline Pressure Drop
The most reliable indicator. When the differential pressure across the filters after a pulse-cleaning cycle continues to rise over weeks and months — even though the pulse system is operating correctly — the media is loading up and losing its ability to release dust. Most collectors operate well at a 3–5″ w.g. baseline. Sustained readings above 6″ w.g. after pulsing typically indicate the filters are nearing the end of life.
Reduced Airflow at Hoods
When workers notice reduced suction at capture hoods and pickup points, the collector may be starving for airflow. High filter pressure drop forces the fan to work against more resistance, reducing the volume delivered to the ductwork. Before ordering new filters, verify that the pulse-cleaning system is functioning properly — a failed solenoid valve or low compressed air pressure can mimic a filter replacement.
Visible Emissions or Dust Passing
Dust visible on the clean side of the collector, in the exhaust stack, or in the recirculated air indicates that something is bypassing the filters — either a torn cartridge, a failed gasket, a cartridge that isn’t seated properly, or media that has developed pinhole failures from abrasion or chemical attack. Inspect individual cartridges with a light test to find the failed element.
Physical Damage
Torn pleat packs, damaged end caps, compressed or collapsed gaskets, moisture damage (cellulose media that got wet and hardened), and spark damage (burn-through holes from welding or cutting operations). Any physical breach in the filter media or sealing surfaces creates a bypass path. Damaged cartridges should be replaced individually — you don’t need to replace the entire set for a single failed filter.
Matching Media to Your Dust
Different dusts load and release differently on different media. Here’s what we typically recommend for common applications.
Welding Fume
Nanofiber or PTFE membrane with FR treatment. Fine submicron fume loads standard cellulose quickly — surface-loading media handles welding fume much better. Anti-static media are required for some metal dusts.
Wood Dust
80/20 cellulose/poly works well for most wood dust — offers good release characteristics and is cost-effective. FR treatment is recommended if the process generates sparks (CNC routing, sanding near metalwork).
Metal Grinding & Cutting
FR cellulose/poly blend for general carbon steel. Nanofiber for fine particulate from plasma/laser. Anti-static for combustible metals (aluminum, titanium, magnesium).
Silica & Concrete
Nanofiber or PTFE membrane for respirable crystalline silica. OSHA’s 50 μg/m³ PEL is extremely strict; standard cellulose may not provide adequate clean-side purity for recirculated-air applications.
Food & Pharmaceutical
PTFE membrane for product purity and operator protection. Spunbond polyester for moisture-prone environments. FDA-compatible materials required. Anti-static for combustible powders (sugar, starch, flour).
Outdoor Collectors
Spunbond polyester or treated synthetic — moisture resistance is critical. Cellulose media absorbs moisture and can be permanently damaged. The Southwest is generally dry, but monsoon season, condensation, and cool morning dew can still damage cellulose filters on outdoor units.
Combustible Dust
Anti-static/conductive media is required when DHA testing indicates a low minimum ignition energy. FR treatment for any application with spark-generating upstream processes. Media selection is part of the overall NFPA 660 compliance strategy.
Chemical & Corrosive
Spunbond polyester or PTFE for chemical resistance. Cellulose degrades in acidic or alkaline environments. Identify the chemical exposure before selecting media — not all synthetics resist all chemicals equally.
Replacement Filters for Major Brands
OEM-compatible replacement cartridges for all major dust collector manufacturers. Same dimensions, same fit, same performance — often at better pricing than OEM direct.
Donaldson Torit
Replacement cartridges for Downflo, PowerCore, Dalamatic, and other Torit collector series. All standard Torit dimensions, including 13″ x 26″ and 12.75″ x 26″, as well as specialty sizes. Flanged and open/closed configurations. Available in all media types, from cellulose/poly to PTFE membranes.
Camfil APC (Farr)
Replacement cartridges for Gold Series, Farr Gold Cone, and other Camfil APC models. Oval and round cartridge configurations. HemiPleat-compatible options. Full range of media selections, including nanofiber and PTFE.
Parker Hannifin
Replacement cartridges for BHA and Parker Hannifin collector lines. Standard and specialty sizes. Snap-in and bolt-on end cap configurations, depending on the collector model.
Other Brands
Imperial Systems, Nederman, AAF, Aerodyne, CLARCOR (now Parker), and other manufacturers. If you have a collector, we can match the filter — give us the make, model, or existing cartridge dimensions, and we’ll identify the correct replacement.
When Cartridge Filters Are Not the Right Choice
Cartridge filters are the right answer for most industrial dust applications — but not all of them. Here’s when a different filter type or collection method is the better call.
Combustible Metal Dust (NFPA 660)
If your dust hazard analysis identifies aluminum, titanium, magnesium, or zirconium dust as requiring wet collection, no cartridge filter — regardless of media type — is an appropriate replacement. NFPA 660 strongly favors wet collection for these reactive metal dusts because water eliminates the ignition risk that dry filter media cannot. A wet collector is the answer.
High Moisture or Wet Applications
Even spunbond polyester has limits when moisture is continuous or heavy. If your process involves water mist, steam, or significant condensation inside the collector, cartridge filters will blind prematurely or fail structurally. Applications with persistent moisture often require a different collection technology or at minimum a knockout stage before the filter section.
Very Sticky or Hygroscopic Dust
Buffing compounds, polishing rouge, waxes, resins, and certain hygroscopic materials can blind cartridge filters so rapidly that filter life becomes impractical — even with PTFE membrane. These materials adhere to the pleats and resist pulse-cleaning. A wet collector eliminates the filter media problem entirely for these materials.
High-Temperature Process Exhaust
Standard cartridge filter media is rated to approximately 275°F continuous (some specialty media higher). If your process exhaust temperature regularly exceeds this — certain thermal spray, kiln exhaust, or high-temperature drying operations — standard cartridges will degrade quickly. High-temp rated media or a different collector type (such as a baghouse with woven fiberglass bags) is required.
Woodworking with Very Heavy Chip Loads
High-volume woodworking operations generating large amounts of chips and shavings often do better with a baghouse collector specifically designed for chip separation. A baghouse with an inline separator — like the Legend Series — handles bulk chip loads far more efficiently than a cartridge collector, and filter bag life is dramatically better under heavy chip loading.
Not Sure What Media You Need?
If you’re unsure whether your current media is the right match for your dust — or if filters are failing faster than expected — give us your collector model and dust type. A quick conversation usually identifies whether an upgrade to nanofiber or PTFE membrane would solve the problem, or whether something else is going on. Get a same-day filter assessment.
Related Resources
Need Replacement Cartridge Filters?
Tell us your collector’s make and model — or the dimensions of your current cartridges — and we’ll match the right replacement. You’ll get the correct media for your dust and a same-day quote.
Serving manufacturing facilities across Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.