Foam Filters

Foam Filters

Foam filters are air filters that use foam as the filtering material. Foam filters are made up of tiny interlocking cells that trap and distribute dirt particles throughout the entire volume of the foam.

Foam is used in many performance air filters and in automobile intake systems due to the unique properties it offers. It is as free flowing as cotton gauze, but has a much higher dirt retention level. This makes foam filters a popular choice in rallying and other motorsport applications. As with cotton gauze, a dirt retention additive can be used to give higher levels of filtration along with increased air flow. Since cotton gauze filters are unable to produce different materials for different environments, foam is quickly overtaking cotton gauze as the preferred material for performance filters.

The air intakes of internal combustion engines and compressors often use foam filters as well, along with many buildings and man-made environments like satellites and space shuttles. As it is water resistant, absorbent, porous, and flame-retardant, foam is an ideal material for many industrial applications.