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Monofilament fabrics are woven from extruded synthetic filaments produced in diameters from 30 um to 2–3 mm.These fabrics have become important as filter media in a broad range of industries and applications. Because of their corrosion resistance, ability to withstand vibration fatigue, uniformity and economy to use, they have replaced a number of other types of media. The chemical and food processing industries, industrial hydraulics, medical, automotive and appliance markets are major users of monofilament fabrics. These fabrics are available in a range of polymer filaments including nylon, polyester, polypropylene and fluorocarbon materials, in aperture ratings from 5–5000 um.

Synthetic monofilament fabrics, because of their ductility and memory, may be flexed repeatedly without work hardening and fatigue. They may be folded or dented with less chance of damage compared with a metal cloth, and they are lighter in
weight. Some applications require the filter medium to have the physical properties of the synthetic monofilament, but with a metallized surface for static electricity dissipation. Accordingly, a metallized polyester monofilament fabric is produced coated with a 2 um thickness of nickel.

Combined mono and multifilament fabrics are now available with useful additional characteristics. Thus such a material is used on disc filter segments, which is elastic and so will expand during the blow-back stage to help with cake release. New belt press filters and large automatic filter presses have put tremendous demands on the physical properties of the filter fabrics, which are being met by heavy dense monofilament fabrics.

The two layer, core-sheath monofilament is an interesting development, which can combine a strong core with good dirt-repellent properties. Thus the core could be made from strong polyester, coated with a sheath of fluoropolymers.

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