Filtermart™ Liquid Filters : Pleated Paper

Filtermart Pleated Paper Filter Element

A pleated filter element is built from a sheet of cellulose filter media paper that's folded into repeated pleats and wrapped around a rigid inner support core. This pleated paper construction multiplies the surface area that fits inside a compact cartridge, so a pleated paper filter can offer several times the filtration area of a flat, unpleated design of the same physical size.

The cellulose used in Filtermart's paper element cartridges is treated with a resin during manufacturing. This cures the fibers so the pleated filter media resists swelling, softening, or collapsing when exposed to water, petroleum-based oils, coolants, or process chemicals. That stability keeps pleat spacing even under pressure surges and helps the element hold a consistent micron rating over its service life.

Pleated Paper Filter Media & Construction

Each cartridge is assembled around a durable inner core, with heavy-duty metal end caps sealing both ends so the element withstands demanding operating pressures without distorting or losing its pleat form.

Elements are available in different cellulose media weights and pleat depths: lighter grades suit lower-viscosity, cleaner fluids, while heavier, more tightly pleated media is chosen for higher-debris applications that need extra dirt-holding capacity between service intervals.

Pleater Paper Filtration for Various Applications

Because they combine a low cost per element with genuinely high surface area, pleated paper elements are used well beyond a single industry. Typical applications include:

• Primary filtration in industrial manufacturing lines, capturing bulk solids and atmospheric dust before fluid reaches finer, more expensive downstream filters
• Coolant clarification loops in machine shops, removing swarf and fine metal particles from cutting and grinding fluids
• Automotive and off-highway lubrication and hydraulic systems, where liquid filterelements need to hold up against petroleum-based fluids
• Process chemical lines, where cellulose media is selected based on fluid compatibility and required particle retention
• Food and beverage processing, where food-grade media supports hygienic clarification of process liquids
• Water treatment and pre-filtration, positioned ahead of finer downstream filtration stages
• Pulp and paper operations, where fine paper filter media captures pulp fines and fiber fragments from process water

Explore Filtermart's Pleated Paper Filter Range

Filtermart stocks pleated paper elements across several sub-categories under our Liquid Filters range, so you can go straight to the style that fits your equipment:

• Army/Navy Pleated Paper Elements: Built to military and marine specifications for demanding, high-vibration environments
• General Purpose Pleated Paper Elements: An everyday paper filter element for standard industrial fluid systems
• Water Removal Pleated Paper Elements: Designed to coalesce and separate free water from fuels and oils

Pleated paper elements are supplied as rigid cartridges rather than flexible bags. If your housing is a bag-style vessel, see our Bag Filters range instead. You may also want to compare against our Depth Filters, String Wound Filters, and Separator Filters categories, along with the housings built to hold them.

Choose the Right Pleated Paper Filter Element

Not every pleated filter element is built the same way, so it's worth checking these specifications against your existing part before ordering a replacement:

• Micron rating: Matched to the finest particle size your downstream equipment can tolerate
• Media weight and pleat depth: Heavier, more deeply pleated media extends service life in high-debris fluid streams, while lighter grades suit cleaner, lower-viscosity applications
• Dimensions: Outer diameter, overall length, and core diameter need to match your housing exactly
• End configuration: Cartridge end caps come in several styles, so confirm the gasket type and mounting orientation against your current part
• OEM cross-reference: If you already have a part number, our cross-reference database can usually identify a direct or equivalent replacement without guesswork

If you're unsure which specification applies to your housing, our team can confirm the correct replacement; just reach out through our contact page with your current part number.

Why Buy Pleated Paper Filter Elements From Filtermart

• Over 1,137,727 cross-references across thousands of OEM part numbers, so locating a replacement pleated liquid filter cartridge is fast, not guesswork
• Cross-referenced fit for major brands including Baldwin, Donaldson, Hydac, Hy-Pro, Pall, Parker, and Schroeder
• One of the most economical filter element options in our primary filtration lineup, keeping running costs down without compromising particle retention
• Volume discounts available on bulk orders, plus a growing list of monthly specials
• Full specification sheets through our Filter Literature library, so you can confirm fit before you order

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pleated paper filter used for?

A pleated paper filter is used for primary particulate removal in industrial fluid systems, coolant clarification, lubrication and hydraulic lines, process water, and general liquid filter element duty wherever a cost-effective, high-surface-area cartridge is needed before fluid moves on to finer downstream filtration.

What material are pleated paper filter elements made from?

Filtermart's pleated filter elements use resin-impregnated cellulose media. The resin cures the fibers so the element resists swelling or softening when exposed to water, oils, or process chemicals, keeping the paper pleated filter stable under normal operating pressure.

How do I know which micron rating I need?

The micron rating should match the finest particle size your downstream equipment or process can tolerate. Product pages and ourFilter Literature documentation list the available ratings for each part, so you can confirm retention level before ordering.

Can pleated paper elements handle oil-based or slurry fluids?

Yes. Resin-treated cellulose media holds up well against petroleum-based oils and fine metal slurry, which is why pleated paper cartridges are a standard choice in machine shop coolant loops and hydraulic lubrication circuits.

What's the difference between a pleated cartridge and a filter bag?

A pleated cartridge is a rigid element that folds its media into pleats to increase surface area within a fixed housing size. A filter bag is a flexible format that fits a bag-style housing instead. Both trap particulate, but the right choice depends on the housing you already have installed. See ourBag Filters range if that's what your system uses.

How do I find the correct replacement part number?

Filtermart maintains cross-references for major OEM brands, so most existing part numbers can be matched to an equivalent replacement directly through our catalogue. If you can't locate a match, ourcontact team can confirm the right element for your housing.

How often should pleated paper filter elements be replaced?

There's no fixed calendar interval; the real signal is differential pressure across the housing. As the element loads up with debris, pressure drop rises; once it approaches the housing's rated limit, it's time to swap in a fresh cartridge. Monitoring pressure rather than guessing on a schedule gets the most service life out of each element.