Filter media with irregular structure
Articles and methods relating to filter media are generally provided. In some embodiments, a filter media has an irregular surface structure. For instance, the filter media may comprise a plurality of peaks that are irregular in one or more ways. A ratio of a peak height standard deviation to an average peak height may be greater than or equal to 0.05, and/or a ratio of a peak spacing standard deviation to an average peak spacing may be greater than or equal to 0.08. In some embodiments, a filter media comprises a non-woven fiber web having a layer thickness of greater than 0.3 mm and/or a stiffness of less than or equal to 100 mg.
1. A filter media, comprising:
a non-woven fiber web, wherein:
the non-woven fiber web has a stiffness of less than or equal to 100 mg;
the non-woven fiber web has an average surface height of greater than 0.3 mm;
the non-woven fiber web has an air permeability of greater than or equal to 2 CFM;
the non-woven fiber web comprises a plurality of peaks having an average peak height and a peak height standard deviation; and
the ratio of the peak height standard deviation to the average peak height is greater than or equal to 0.15 and less than or equal to 0.5.
2. A filter media, comprising:
a non-woven fiber web, wherein:
the non-woven fiber web has an air permeability of greater than or equal to 2 CFM;
the non-woven fiber web comprises a plurality of peaks having an average peak height and a peak height standard deviation;
a ratio of the peak height standard deviation to the average peak height is greater than or equal to 0.15 and less than or equal to 0.5; and
the non-woven fiber web has an average surface height of greater than 0.3 mm.
3. The filter media of claim 2 , wherein the non-woven fiber web is a meltblown fiber web.
4. The filter media of claim 2 , wherein the non-woven fiber web is charged.
5. The filter media of claim 2 , wherein the filter media has a gamma of greater than or equal to 15.
6. The filter media of claim 2 , wherein the filter media has an air permeability of greater than or equal to 2 CFM.
7. A filter element comprising the filter media of claim 2 .
8. The filter media of claim 2 , wherein the filter media has an air permeability of greater than or equal to 20 CFM.
9. The filter media of claim 2 , wherein the filter media further comprises a scrim.
10. The filter media of claim 9 , wherein the scrim is a mesh.
11. The filter media of claim 9 , wherein the scrim is a spunbond web.
12. The filter media of claim 9 , wherein the scrim is capable of undergoing a reversible stretch of at least 50% along at least one axis.
13. The filter media of claim 9 , wherein the non-woven fiber web is adhered to the scrim by an adhesive.
14. The filter media of claim 2 , wherein the filter media further comprises a second non-woven fiber web.
15. The filter media of claim 14 , wherein the second non-woven fiber web is an electrospun fiber web.
16. The filter media of claim 15 , wherein the non-woven fiber web is a meltblown fiber web, and wherein the electrospun fiber web and a scrim are positioned on opposite sides of the non-woven fiber web.
17. The filter media of claim 2 , wherein the filter media comprises a support layer.
18. The filter media of claim 17 , wherein the support layer holds the non-woven fiber web in a waved configuration and maintains separation of peaks and troughs of adjacent waves of the non-woven fiber web.