Industrial Strainers & Y-Strainers | Reliable System Protection

Strainers for industrial pipelines – Y‑type and flanged filters in stainless steel, steel and brass

PRODUCT CONFIGURATOR

Our Materials: Precise Selection for Every Medium

The body material determines chemical resistance, pressure rating, and the intended application. We exclusively use materials that comply with international standards.

Stainless steel strainers (1.4408 / AISI 316): The premium solution for aggressive media, high temperatures (up to +240°C), and hygiene-critical applications. Corrosion-resistant, easy to clean, and ideal for chemical, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, and marine environments.

Brass strainers: The economical and versatile standard for water, compressed air, heating oil, and neutral media. Nickel-plated versions provide enhanced corrosion protection and are perfectly suited for heating and HVAC systems.

Strainers made of galvanized steel, grey cast iron (GG25) & ductile iron (GGG40): Robust materials designed for demanding industrial environments with high pressure requirements. Flanged strainers made from these materials are the preferred choice for large nominal diameters in power generation and water supply systems.

Technical Selection Guide: Quick Comparison of Our Top Models

The following table helps you make an initial preselection based on key technical parameters.

Product Series / Type	Ideal Application & Media	Technical Specifications & Materials	Special Advantages & FERGO Expertise
MY100 / MY101 Economical • Standard	Heating and cooling circuits, general water and compressed air pipelines, neutral media.	Body: Brass (nickel-plated). Connection: Internal thread (ISO 228). Pressure: PN 20. Temp.: -20°C to +110°C. Strainer basket: Stainless steel 1.4301.	Excellent price-performance ratio for standard applications. Fast availability for building services and general industry. Nickel plating provides additional corrosion protection.
MY200 Corrosion-resistant • High-temperature	Aggressive media, steam, acids, alkalis, food, pharmaceutical products, seawater.	Body: Stainless steel 1.4408 (CF8M). Connection: Internal thread (ISO 7-1/NPT). Pressure: PN 40. Temp.: -30°C to +240°C. Strainer basket: Stainless steel SS316.	Excellent chemical and thermal resistance. Hygienic, for critical processes in food and pharmaceuticals. Standard version in high-quality stainless steel 1.4408.
MY201 Industrial • Flanged • Stainless Steel	Industrial processes with stainless steel piping, chemical plants, food industry.	Body: Stainless steel 1.4408. Connection: Flange (DIN). Pressure: PN 16. Temp.: -30°C to +230°C. Strainer basket: Stainless steel 1.4408.	Robust, flanged stainless steel design for industrial plants. Easy integration into existing flange systems. For applications requiring a pressure-resistant, demountable connection.
MY430 High-pressure • High-temperature	Superheated steam, thermal oil, processes with very high temperatures and pressures.	Body: Steel (1.0691). Connection: Flange (EN 1092-1). Pressure: PN 40. Temp.: -10°C to +400°C. Certification: AD2000-A4.	Specifically designed for extreme pressure and temperature conditions. High mechanical load capacity due to steel body. AD2000-A4 approval for use in pressure equipment.
MY450 Extreme temperature • Corrosion-resistant	Critical processes in chemical and energy, cryogenic to high-temperature media.	Body: Stainless steel 1.4408. Connection: Flange (EN 1092-1). Pressure: PN 10/16. Temp.: -40°C to +450°C. Certification: AD2000-A4.	Highest temperature resistance in stainless steel version. Suitable for use in the most demanding environments. Combines corrosion protection with extreme temperature range.
FP110 Robust • Large nominal diameters • Economical	Industrial process water, cooling circuits, supply systems in large plants.	Body: Gray cast iron (GG25). Connection: Flange (EN 1092-2). Pressure: PN 16. Temp.: 0°C to +300°C/+350°C. Strainer basket: Stainless steel 1.4301.	Economic and robust solution for large nominal diameters (up to DN300). For standard industrial applications with high flow rates. Proven gray cast iron construction for general industrial environments.
Flowserve Atomac ASF Highly corrosive • Chemical-resistant	Highly aggressive media such as strong acids, alkalis, halogenated solvents.	Body: Ductile iron (GGG40.3) with PFA lining. Connection: Flange (DIN/ASME). Pressure: PN 16 / Class 150. Temp.: up to +150°C / +200°C. Filter: PTFE basket with ETFE mesh.	Complete chemical inertness through PFA lining of body and filter. Special solution for the most demanding corrosive media. Provides maximum plant protection with highly aggressive chemicals.

Note: This is an excerpt of our standard range. We would be happy to configure special solutions with other mesh sizes, materials (e.g. ductile iron) or pressure ratings (PN 40, PN 63) according to your requirements.

The Right Mesh Size: Crucial for Filtration Performance

In addition to material and connection type, the mesh size (specified in mm or µm) of the filter screen is the key factor determining filtration efficiency. A finer mesh captures smaller particles but results in a higher pressure drop. The correct selection depends on the level of protection required for downstream components.

We supply strainers with standardized mesh sizes such as 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.8 mm, or 1.0 mm. The filter basket itself is typically made of stainless steel mesh (e.g. 1.4301), ensuring long service life and easy cleaning.

Certified Quality and Compliance

Our products stand for safety and reliability. Many of our strainers are manufactured from materials that comply with the stringent requirements of the Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU. For potable water applications, we offer models made from approved, non-toxic materials suitable for drinking water systems. Upon request, we can supply EN 10204 Type 3.1 material certificates. This documented quality ensures maximum planning security for your project.

Frequently Asked Questions – Strainers & Y-Strainers

A Y-strainer – also known as a pipeline strainer, Y-filter, or inline strainer – is a pipeline fitting that filters solid particles out of the flowing medium, protecting downstream components from wear and damage. The operating principle is straightforward:

The medium enters the strainer body and flows through a cylindrical filter basket made from stainless steel mesh.
Particles larger than the selected mesh size are retained by the filter basket and accumulate in the strainer pot.
The cleaned medium exits on the outlet side – no particles reach the downstream equipment.
The filter basket can be removed for cleaning without taking the strainer body out of the pipeline – via the side cap or blowdown connection.

The name "Y-strainer" comes from the characteristic Y-shape of the body, in which the filter basket is positioned at an angle to the flow direction. This allows a compact form factor with a large filter area and low pressure drop. FERGO offers over 120 strainer models from DN8 to DN400 in stainless steel, brass, carbon steel, grey cast iron, and PFA-lined versions.

Pipeline systems are never completely particle-free – even in new installations, welding, cutting, and assembly generate debris that can cause significant damage over the life of a system. A strainer filters typical contaminants such as:

Rust and corrosion particles from older pipelines or during recommissioning after shutdown periods
Weld beads and weld spatter in new installations and after weld repairs
Gasket particles and scale deposits from fittings, valves, and heat exchangers
Sand, limescale, and suspended solids from water supply networks and borehole installations
Foreign matter from pipeline assembly or from the medium itself

Components most worth protecting: pumps (protecting impellers and mechanical seals), control valves and shut-off valves (protecting seating surfaces from particle scoring), heat exchangers (preventing fouling and erosion of heat transfer surfaces), flow meters and sensors (protecting sensitive measuring elements), and nozzles and spray heads (preventing blockage). The investment in a strainer avoids costly downtime and significantly extends the service life of the entire system.

FERGO offers strainers in five body materials. The choice depends on the medium, temperature, pressure, and chemical resistance required:

Brass (and nickel-plated brass) – Classic material for drinking water, heating, cooling, and general building services. Good corrosion resistance to soft and hard water. Pressure up to 20 bar, temperature up to +110 °C (NBR seal). The most economical option for non-aggressive media in small to medium nominal sizes.
Stainless steel 1.4408 (V4A / CF8M) – Best choice for aggressive media, drinking water with elevated hygiene requirements, food processing, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, steam, and high-pressure applications. Pressure up to 40 bar, temperature −30 °C to +240 °C (PTFE seal). Resistant to chlorides, acids, and alkalis.
Carbon steel – Robust and cost-effective for neutral media such as oil, gas, compressed air, and non-corrosive process media. High pressure capability, suitable for PN25 and PN40 flanged applications in industry.
Grey cast iron (GG25) – Proven material for water, heating, and general industry in medium nominal sizes with flanged connections. Cost-effective for applications without elevated corrosion requirements.
Ductile iron GGG40.3 + PFA lining – For highly aggressive chemicals where even stainless steel would fail. The PFA fluoropolymer provides near-universal chemical resistance. The ideal complement to other PFA valves and fittings.

The mesh size of the filter basket determines which particle sizes are retained. FERGO offers mesh sizes from 0.05 mm to 2 mm. As a guide:

0.05 mm (50 µm) – Very fine filtration for sensitive instruments, nozzles, spray heads, and hydraulic systems requiring even the smallest particles to be retained. Plan for more frequent basket cleaning as blocking tendency is higher.
0.25–0.5 mm (250–500 µm) – Standard mesh size for protecting pumps, control valves, heat exchangers, and flow meters. Balanced ratio between filtration efficiency and pressure drop. Suitable for heating, drinking water, cooling water, and general process applications.
0.8–1 mm – Coarser pre-filtration for protection against larger particles such as rust, weld beads, and scale. Low pressure drop, infrequent cleaning required. Suitable for water-carrying lines, HVAC, and pre-filtration stages.
1.25–2 mm – Coarse filtration for media with a higher solids content or as a first pre-filtration stage. Very low pressure drop.

Rule of thumb: The mesh size should be approximately half the narrowest gap dimension of the valve or device being protected. When in doubt, choose the finer mesh size and plan for more frequent maintenance intervals.

FERGO strainers are available in both connection types. The choice depends on the nominal size, pressure level, and application:

Threaded strainer (socket strainer) – Female thread connection to ISO 7-1 (EN 10226-1) or ISO 228 for small nominal sizes (DN8 to DN50, ¼" to 2"). Ideal for heating systems, building services, HVAC, drinking water installations, and laboratories. Compact, easy to install, cost-effective. Stainless steel versions up to 40 bar; brass versions up to 20 bar.
Flanged strainer (PN10 / PN16 / PN25 / PN40) – For medium to large nominal sizes (DN25 to DN400) and industrial high-pressure applications. Detachable, robust connection for straightforward filter basket maintenance without pipeline dismantling. PN40 versions for steam, oil, gas, and chemical processes under high pressure. Particularly suitable for the process industry, power generation, water supply, and wastewater technology.

As a rule of thumb: threaded for small nominal sizes in building services and small industrial installations – flanged for medium to large nominal sizes and high-pressure applications in the process industry.

The FERGO strainer range comprises over 120 models with the following specifications:

Nominal sizes – DN8 (¼") to DN400 (16") – one of the widest ranges on the market, covering everything from the smallest building services installation to large industrial pipelines.
Pressure ratings (flanged) – PN10, PN16, PN25, and PN40 – for all common industrial pressure levels including high-pressure applications in steam, oil, and gas installations.
Maximum pressure (threaded) – Up to 40 bar for stainless steel versions; up to 20 bar for brass versions.
Operating temperature – −30 °C to +240 °C for stainless steel with PTFE seal; −20 °C to +110 °C for brass with NBR seal.
Filter basket – Standard stainless steel SS316 (1.4401) or 1.4301 – corrosion-resistant and long-lasting.
Seals – PTFE (for aggressive media and high temperatures) or NBR (for water, oil, and neutral media).

A key advantage of the Y-strainer over other filter types is the ability to clean it without removing the body from the pipeline:

Cleaning procedure – Depressurise and isolate the system (close shut-off valves upstream and downstream of the strainer). Unscrew the side cleaning cap. Remove the filter basket, clean with water, compressed air, or a brush, then reinsert. Close the cap with a new gasket (PTFE or NBR) and recommission the system.
Frequency – Strongly dependent on the particle load in the medium. For new installation commissioning: after the first 24–72 operating hours, clean without fail (weld beads, scale, assembly debris). During ongoing operation: when a noticeable pressure drop across the strainer is observed, or routinely every 3–12 months depending on the installation and medium.
Pressure drop as an indicator – The simplest monitoring method is a differential pressure gauge upstream and downstream of the strainer. A rising differential pressure indicates the filter basket is becoming blocked and should be cleaned.
Important – When reinserting the filter basket, ensure correct orientation (the open end of the basket must face the inlet). Check the gasket after every cleaning and replace if necessary.

Strainers are universal protective fittings used in virtually every area of fluid engineering:

Heating and cooling systems (HVAC) – Protecting pumps, control valves, and heat exchangers from rust and corrosion particles in the heating circuit. Brass versions for smaller nominal sizes; stainless steel for more demanding requirements.
Drinking water and water supply – Hygienically compliant stainless steel versions (1.4408) for protecting domestic booster stations, pressure reducing valves, water meters, and fittings from sand, limescale, and suspended solids.
Chemical process industry – PFA-lined strainers for aggressive acids and alkalis; stainless steel versions for moderately aggressive process media.
Steam, oil, and gas installations – High-pressure versions in carbon steel or stainless steel with PN25/PN40 for protecting steam traps, control valves, and instruments in power plants and petrochemical facilities.
Food and pharmaceutical industry – Stainless steel versions (1.4408) with PTFE seals for hygienic filtration in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical processes.
Water treatment and municipal supply – Cast iron or large flanged versions in nominal sizes DN200–DN400 for waterworks, treatment plants, and municipal pipeline networks.
General industry – Wherever particles in the medium endanger downstream components – from compressed air stations to hydraulic presses.

Strainers for Industrial Systems and Building Services – Reliable System Protection by FERGO