S.A.E. stands for Society of Automotive Engineers. It is a standard of measurement applied to felts used for industrial applications such as F-1, F-5 etc.
These applications move far beyond just the automotive industry, being used in processes that requiring gasketing, sealing, lubrication, buffering, shock absorption, insulation, moisture management, filtration and fluid management
What do the SAE Grades Mean?
SAE Industrial felts specifically reference SAE J314, the standard for wool and part-wool felts. SAE numbers range from F-1 to F-55 and are defined by a combination of properties. The most defining factor being density, wool content, color, and thickness range.
- Density – affects hardness/durability
- Wool Content – affect the properties of wool (see figure 1 above)
- Color – sheep hair naturally occurs in a spectrum of beige and grays/browns. Felt can also be dyed to achieve specific colors.
- Thickness – F-50 to F-51 are thin felts. F-1 and F-50 are available 1/8” - 1” thick
Difference between all SAE felts
It might be confusing at first glance to know how to choose between the many different SAE felts. The important part is to have clarity on what the application of felt is for. Based on the usage, we can help you pick the right felt for your application and budget.
Here’s a handy guide to differentiate the SAE felts:
High Density Felt
Another type of industrial felt that deserves a mention is high density felt. While it doesn’t follow SAE standards, it is used in several industrial applications.
High density felt or sheet felt is the firmest of felts that can be made. To achieve this hardness, the sheet felt is processed to be narrower and shorter in length. They are made of 100% wool and hardened in an isotropic fashion, ensuring equal density throughout each sheet.
Sheet felts are used for a variety of uses including hard washers, bumpers, anti-vibration pads, metal wiping, and polishing wheels. We also make several products out of high density felt such as felt gears, felt polishing wheels, and felt sleeves.
Picking the Right Felt
We know making the right decision is crucial. That’s why we’re here to help! If you know what your application is, we can help you choose the right industrial felt. We can also make custom felts that fit your specs.
Get in touch with us and let’s get started!
