F-50 SAE Pressed Felt
F-50 SAE Pressed Felt is a strong, durable thin-gauge pressed wool felt with a minimum of 95% wool content (SAE Number F-50, NTA Number 34R1, Commercial Standard Grade 16R1X), rated for service from -80°F to 200°F. It delivers 500 psi minimum tensile strength, 99% recovery within 1 minute after 10% deflection, and a Mullen bursting strength of 225 psi. Available in white in thin precision thicknesses of 3/64″, 1/16″, 5/64″, and 3/32″, it is suited for bearing seals, strips, wicks, industrial filters, and uses requiring thin precision felt.
Key Properties
- Tensile Strength (min): 500 psi — ASTM D412
- Mullen Bursting Strength (1/8″): 225 psi — ASTM D461
- Recovery Within 1 Minute After 10% Deflection: 99% — ASTM D461
- Specific Gravity: 0.34 — ASTM D461
- Temperature Range: -80°F to 200°F — —
- Liquid Absorption: > 180% (1.0 sp gr) — ASTM D461
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- Specifications
- Applications
- General Info
- FAQs
Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Material / Substrate | Pressed Felt | — |
| Color | White | — |
| Minimum Wool Content | 95% | — |
| SAE Number | F-50 | — |
| NTA Number | 34R1 | — |
| Commercial Standard Grade | 16R1X | — |
| Specific Gravity | 0.34 | ASTM D461 |
| Density (1″) | 15.60 lb/sq yd | ASTM D461 |
| Thickness | 3/64″, 1/16″, 5/64″, 3/32″ | — |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| TENILE STRENGTH (MINIMUM) | 500 psi | ASTM D412 |
| Elongation 100% (100 PSI) | 8 | ASTM D461 |
| Mullen Bursting Strength (1/8″) | 225 psi | ASTM D461 |
| Recovery Within 1 Minute After 10% Deflection | 99% | ASTM D461 |
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Temperature Range | -80°F to 200°F | — |
| Thermal Condition @ 70°F | 0.32 btu/(h·ft²·°F) | ASTM D461 |
| Thermal Expansion | 0 | ASTM D461 |
Acoustic / Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC), 1 in | 0.55 | ASTM D461 |
| Coefficient of Friction | 0.37 | ASTM D461 |
| Air Perm (1/16″) | 15-25 cfm/sq ft/0.5″ H2O | ASTM D461 |
| Capillarity (Wicking Height, 575 SSU, 70°F) | 4 | ASTM D461 |
| Liquid Absorption | > 180% (1.0 sp gr) | ASTM D461 |
Chemical Resistance
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Abrasion Resistance | Excellent | — |
| Acid Resistance, Concentrated | Fair – Good | ASTM D461 |
| Acid Resistance, Dilute | Excellent | ASTM D461 |
| Alkali Resistance, Concentrated | Low | ASTM D461 |
| Alkali Resistance, Dilute | Fair | ASTM D461 |
| Solvent Resistance | Excellent | — |
- Bearing seals and bearing seal strips requiring thin-gauge, high-strength white wool felt
- Precision wicks in lubrication systems requiring a thin, oil-resistant felt at exact thickness
- Industrial filters in applications requiring a thin felt medium with controlled air permeability
- Strips and liners for precision mechanical assemblies requiring thin felt sections
- Any application requiring F-1 grade felt performance in gauges below 1/8″
Common industries: Industrial equipment, precision manufacturing, lubrication systems, filtration, automotive.
F-50 SAE Pressed Felt is a high-strength thin-gauge white pressed wool felt with a minimum of 95% wool content and a specific gravity of 0.34, designated SAE F-50 and Commercial Standard Grade 16R1X. It is specifically designed for precision bearing seals, strips, wicks, industrial filters, and applications requiring thin, accurate felt sections in gauges from 3/64″ to 3/32″.
Its oil-resistant fabric construction and 500 psi minimum tensile strength allow it to hold up under multiple uses, making it the preferred choice when the structural performance of the F-1 grade is required in a thin-precision format.
The material provides a coefficient of friction of 0.37, noise reduction coefficient of 0.55 at 1 in, and thermal condition of 0.32 btu/(h·ft²·°F) at 70°F. Air permeability is 15–25 cfm/sq ft/0.5″ H2O. Density is 15.60 lb/sq yd. Data was obtained by ASTM D461 test methods, ASTM D2475 Standards, and NTA wool felt specifications.
What differentiates F-50 SAE Pressed Felt from the F-1 grade?
F-50 SAE Pressed Felt matches the F-1 grade in wool content (95% minimum), specific gravity (0.34), tensile strength (500 psi min.), and hardness (34R1 NTA classification), but is designated Commercial Standard Grade 16R1X and is available only in thin precision thicknesses of 3/64", 1/16", 5/64", and 3/32" — gauges thinner than the standard F-1 range. F-50 is the correct selection when the structural performance of F-1 is required in a thin-section format for bearing seals, precision wicks, and industrial filter applications.
Why is hardness important for felt selection in precision industrial applications?
Hardness in pressed felt governs dimensional stability under load, which is critical in precision bearing seals, wicks, and filter strips where felt must maintain its section under compression without excessive deflection. F-50's 500 psi minimum tensile strength and 99% recovery after deflection confirm its ability to maintain structural integrity in precision thin-gauge applications across a broad service temperature range.
What is the temperature range for F-50 SAE Pressed Felt?
F-50 SAE Pressed Felt is rated for service from -80°F to 200°F, as listed on the TDS.
Is F-50 SAE Pressed Felt suitable for oil-contact and precision industrial environments?
Yes. The TDS identifies F-50 as an oil-resistant fabric with excellent abrasion, acid (dilute), and solvent resistance, suited for bearing seals, wicks, and precision industrial filter applications. No specific compliance standards are cited on the TDS; data was obtained by ASTM D461 test methods, ASTM D2475 Standards, and NTA wool felt specifications.
How should F-50 SAE Pressed Felt be specified?
Specify grade (F-50 SAE Pressed Felt), thickness, dimensional tolerances, and finished format.
