Industrial Strainers
An industrial strainer is a coarse filtration device that protects pumps, valves and meters by removing large particles from liquid or gas lines. Basket strainers and Y-type strainers in cast, stainless steel and duplex designs for water, oil, chemical and process duty.
Why Industrial Strainers
An industrial strainer is a coarse filtration device that protects pumps, valves and meters by removing large particles from liquid or gas lines. Basket strainers and Y-type strainers in cast, stainless steel and duplex designs for water, oil, chemical and process duty.
- Basket strainers from 1/2" to 12" — cast iron, carbon steel, 304/316 stainless steel (typical)
- Y-type strainers for compact installations where space is limited
- Mesh and perforated baskets from 20 to 800 micron, cleanable and reusable
- Simplex and duplex designs — duplex allows cleaning without shutting down the line
- Flanged, threaded and welded end connections per ASME B16.5 (typical)
- Screens sized by flow rate, viscosity and allowable pressure drop
WHY INDUSTRIAL STRAINERS
Cheap Protection for Expensive Rotating Equipment
Protects Pumps & Valves
Particles of 1 mm or less can score a pump impeller or seat a control valve. A strainer upstream removes them before they reach the equipment, at a fraction of the repair cost.
Extends Filter & Nozzle Life
Bulk debris shortens cartridge filters and blocks spray nozzles. A coarse strainer catches the bulk load, so fine filters downstream run 2 to 3 times longer between changes (typical).
Catch Debris Before Commissioning
New piping systems shed weld slag, scale and thread tape. A temporary strainer during commissioning catches that debris and is often the difference between a clean start-up and a damaged first pump.
SELECTION TABLE
Basket vs Y-Type vs Simplex vs Duplex
| Feature | Basket strainer | Y-type strainer | Duplex strainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debris capacity | High — large basket area | Low — compact screen | High — twin baskets |
| Pressure drop | Lowest | Moderate | Low (one basket in service) |
| Cleaning | Line shutdown required | Line shutdown required | No shutdown — switch flow |
| Space | More | Compact, in-line | Most |
| Best for | Water, oil, process lines with bulk debris | Tight spaces, steam, gases | Continuous processes, cooling water |
SIZING CALCULATOR
Strainer Sizing by Flow & Pressure Drop
| Line size | Max flow (typical) | Clean ΔP | Basket screen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1" | 30 GPM water | < 0.5 psi | 40 mesh |
| 2" | 100 GPM water | < 0.5 psi | 40 mesh |
| 4" | 400 GPM water | < 0.7 psi | 20 mesh |
| 6" | 900 GPM water | < 0.9 psi | 20 mesh |
Typical values for water service — actual sizing depends on viscosity, screen area and allowable pressure drop. Send us your flow and line size for a confirmed selection.
KEY SPECS DEEP DIVE
What the Spec Sheet Actually Means
Basket Area Ratio
Basket area divided by pipe area. A ratio of 2:1 to 4:1 keeps clean pressure drop low. Below 1.5:1, the strainer behaves like a restriction, not a protector.
Screen Opening
Mesh number or perforation size in micron. 40 mesh ≈ 400 micron, 100 mesh ≈ 150 micron, 200 mesh ≈ 74 micron (typical). Finer screens plug faster — size for the debris, not the smallest opening.
Pressure Class
150# and 300# flange classes cover most water and process duty. High-pressure systems need forged or machined bodies — confirm the design pressure before ordering.
Temperature Rating
Seat and gasket material sets the limit: EPDM to 150°C, PTFE to 260°C, graphite to 400°C (typical). Steam service requires metallic or graphite seating.
OEM / ODM FACTORY DIRECT
Custom Strainers, Private Label, Volume Pricing
We manufacture industrial strainers and custom baskets for OEMs, distributors and plant maintenance programs. Private label, custom mesh and perforation patterns, special materials and blanket orders supported.
- • Custom basket length and mesh per your spec
- • Private label and OEM marking
- • Sample orders before volume commitment
- • CE, RoHS and material certificates available
QUICK SPEC FORM
Send us: line size, flow rate, fluid, temperature, pressure, and the particle size you need to stop. We reply within 24 hours with a confirmed selection and quote.
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FAQ
Questions Buyers Ask
What is the difference between a strainer and a filter?
A strainer removes large particles (typically 20 micron and above) and is designed to be cleaned and reused. A filter removes finer particles down to sub-micron and is usually replaced when loaded. Most systems run a strainer upstream of a filter to protect the filter and extend its life.
How do I size a basket strainer?
Size by flow rate, line size and acceptable pressure drop. A common rule is to keep the strainer basket area 2 to 4 times the pipe cross-section area, so the clean pressure drop stays below 0.5 psi (typical). If the pressure drop exceeds 3 to 5 psi, clean or replace the basket.
What mesh or perforation should I choose?
Match the opening to what you need to protect. Pump suction lines commonly use 40 to 100 mesh; nozzle and instrument protection uses finer mesh; coarse debris removal uses 3/16" to 1/4" perforations. If you are unsure, start with 40 mesh and adjust based on the first maintenance inspection.
Simplex or duplex?
Simplex is cheaper and fine for batch processes that can stop for cleaning. Duplex allows switching flow to the second basket while the first is cleaned — essential for continuous processes like cooling water, boiler feed or lubricating oil systems.
What materials are available?
Bodies are typically cast iron, carbon steel, 304 or 316 stainless steel, and duplex for corrosive or offshore duty. Basket materials range from stainless mesh to monel for chemical compatibility. Confirm the fluid and temperature before specifying.
Do you offer custom strainer baskets?
Yes. Custom mesh size, basket length, gasket material and end connections are available on OEM and ODM orders. Send us your line size, flow rate, fluid and pressure to get a quote.
What is the MOQ and lead time?
Standard sizes ship from stock with a small MOQ. Custom materials and duplex builds are made to order with lead times quoted per project (typically 2 to 4 weeks).
Are strainers pressure rated?
Yes. Standard strainers are rated for the piping class — 150# and 300# flanges are common, with higher ratings available. Always match the strainer rating to the pipeline design pressure.