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METRIC
MIL-PRF-46736D
12 April 1996
SUPERSEDING
MIL-F-46736C(AT)
12 April 1991

PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION

FILTER ELEMENT, INTAKE AIR CLEANER:

DRY TYPE (METRIC)

This specification is approved for use by all Departments and Agencies of the Department
of Defense.

1. SCOPE

1.1 Scope. This specification covers dry type air cleaner filter elements used in single and
multi-stage air cleaners (see 6.1).

2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

2.1 General. The documents listed in this section are specified in sections 3 and 4 of this
specification. This section does not include documents cited in other sections of this specification
or recommended for addition information or as examples. While every effort has been made to
ensure the completeness of this list, document users are cautioned that they must meet all
specified requirements documents cited in sections 3 and 4 of this specification, whether or not
they are listed.

Beneficial comments (recommendations, additions, deletions) and any pertinent data which may
be of use in improving this document should be addressed to: U.S. Army Tank-automotive and
Armaments Command, ATTN: AMSTA-TR-E/BLUE, Warren, MI 48397-5000 by using the
Standardization Document Improvement Proposal (DD Form 1426) appearing at the end of this
document or by letter.

AMSC N/A FSC 2940

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
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2.2 Government documents.

2.2.1 Specifications, standards, and handbooks. The following specifications, standards,

and handbooks form a part of this document to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise
specified, the issues of these documents are those listed in that issue of the Department of Defense
Index of Specifications and Standards (DoDISS) and supplements thereto cited in the solicitation
(see 6.2).

SPECIFICATIONS

FEDERAL

P-D-245 - Detergent, Laundry and Hand Dishwashing (Granular).

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

MIL-PRF-62048 - Air Cleaners, Automotive: Heavy Duty, Dry-Type (for

Internal Combustion Engines).

(Unless otherwise indicated, copies of the above specifications, standards, and handbooks
are available from the Defense Printing Service Detachment Office (Customer Service),
700 Robbins Avenue, Building 4D, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094.)

2.3 Non-Government publications. The following documents form a part of this

document to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of the documents
which are DoD adopted are those listed in the issue of the DoDISS cited in the solicitation.
Unless otherwise specified, the issues of documents not listed in the DoDISS are the issue of the
documents cited in the solicitation (see 6.2).

SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS (SAE)

SAE J726 - Air Cleaner Test Code, Recommended Practice.

(Applications for copies should be addressed to the Society of Automotive Engineers, 400
Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096.)

2.4 Order of precedence. In the event of a conflict between the text of this document and
the references cited herein, the text of this document takes precedence. Nothing in this document,
however, supersedes applicable laws and regulations unless a specific exemption has been
obtained.

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3. REQUIREMENTS

3.1 First article. When specified (see 6.2), a first article sample shall be subjected to first
article inspection in accordance with 4.2.

3.2 Materials. Materials used shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s materials
specifications for air filters. The materials shall be capable of meeting all of the operational and
environmental requirements specified herein (see 4.5.1).

3.2.1 Recycled, recovered, or environmentally preferable materials. Recycled, recovered,

or environmentally preferable materials should be used to the maximum extent possible provided
that the material meets or exceeds the operational and maintenance requirements, and promotes
economically advantageous life cycle costs.

3.3 Design and construction. Unless otherwise specified by the procuring

activity/acquisition document (see 6.2), the filter shall conform to the manufacturer’s design and
construction for dry type intake air filter elements except to assure performance in accordance
with the requirements specified herein, when installed in the air cleaner assembly specified in
MIL-PRF-62048 for which it was designed. Design features shall provide for use of the filter
element in either gasoline or diesel fueled engines. Construction dimensions and rated airflow
shall be in accordance with the applicable drawing or MS standard (see 4.5.1 and 4.5.2).

3.3.1 Flame resistance. After the filter media of the filter element is exposed to a flame
until it burns or glows, the filter media shall not continue to burn or smolder when the flame is
removed (see 4.5.3).

3.3.2 Crush resistance. Unless otherwise specified (see 6.2), the 1335 Newtons (N)
[300 pounds (lbs)] compressive (end to end) static load shall be applied to the filter element end
caps, excluding gaskets which are molded to the filter element ends or are separately attached.
Upon removal of the load, there shall be no physical evidence of structural damage to any part of
the filter element or reduction in filter element length (end to end, not including filter element end
cap gaskets height) (see 4.5.4).

3.3.3 Seal ozone resistance. The filter element end cap seals shall be capable of
withstanding 7 days exposure to air having ozone concentration of 50 plus or minus (+) 5 parts of
ozone per 100 000 000 parts of air by volume at a temperature of 38 + 3 degrees Celsius (°C)
[100 + 5 degrees Fahrenheit (°F)]. There shall be no evidence of cracks after exposure
(see 4.5.5).

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3.4 Performance. Unless otherwise specified herein, the filter element shall meet the
performance requirements specified below when installed in an air cleaner conforming to
MIL-PRF-62048 (see 4.5.6). The filter element and air cleaner housing is referred to herein as
“air cleaner assembly”. The filter element and assembled components are referred to herein as
“filter element assembly”. Unless otherwise specified herein, performance requirements shall be
met with a clean new element (see 6.2) under the following conditions:

a. Ambient temperature - 21.2 to 32.2°C (70 to 90°F).

b. Relative humidity - 30 to 65 percent (%).
c. Air flow - The rated airflow shall be as specified in the applicable
drawing or MS standard and variable airflow shall be as
specified in figure 1. Specified values of airflow are for
standard atmospheric conditions of
101.3 kilopascals (kPa) (407 inches of water) barometric
pressure and 26.7°C (80°F) ambient temperature
providing an air density of 1.17 kilogram per cubic
meter (kg/m3) [0.073 pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft3)].
Actual airflow values during testing shall be corrected to
standard conditions and shall be within plus or minus two
percent of specified values.
d. Airflow restriction - Unless otherwise specified by the procuring
activity/acquisition document (see 6.2), actual airflow
restriction values shall be corrected to airflow with a
density of 1.17 kg/m3 and shall be accurate to plus or
minus 24.9 Pa (0.1 inch of water).
e. Test dust - The test dust shall be of two grades labeled fine and
coarse. The chemical analysis of test dust shall be as
specified in SAE J726. The particle size distribution by
volume and/or weight for the two grades shall be as
specified in SAE J726.
f. Dust feeding rate - When the feeding of dust is required as part of any test,
the dust shall be fed at an average rate of 0.883 gram per
cubic meter (g/m3) (0.025 gram per cubic foot) for the
actual air flow. See figure 1 for percentage of rated
airflow variations. The dust rate shall not vary more than
+ 0.177 g/m3 [+0.005 gram per cubic foot (g/ft3)] during
any part of applicable test.
g. Scavenge airflow rate - The scavenge air flow rate shall be set per
MIL-PRF-62048 requirements (paragraph A.3.5). Air
cleaners equipped with scavenge air aspirators or similar
types (non-electric blowers) shall provide a 10% scavenge

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flow of the actual air flow being flowed through the air
cleaner.

3.4.1 Efficiency. The efficiency of the filter element installed in the air cleaner housing
(assembly) for which it was designed, at rated air flow shall not be less than 99.5% after being fed
fine grade dust for 30 minutes or until 110 grams are fed, whichever results in a greater quantity
of dust, or 60 minutes if the rated airflow face velocity of filter media is 183 cm/min (6 ft/min) or
less (see 4.5.6.1).

3.4.2 Dust capacity. Unless otherwise specified on the applicable drawing or MS

standard, the time for the assembly to reach load capacity (see 6.5.1) shall be not less than 4 hours
for single stage air cleaner design and 20 hours for a multi-stage air cleaner design. The
accumulated efficiency after completion of dust capacity test shall not be less than 99.9%. This
requirement shall be met when the assembly is operated at variable airflows and fed coarse grade
dust (see 4.5.6.2).

3.4.3 Post service airflow restriction. Unless otherwise specified by the procuring
activity/acquisition document (see 6.2), following dust capacity test (termed loaded to capacity
see 6.5.1) and followed by a cleaning, the assembly’s air flow restriction shall not increase by
more than 249 Pa (1 inch of water) (see 4.5.6.3).

3.4.4 Washing durability. The assembly shall evidence no damage and shall meet the
requirements of 3.4.1, after the filter element has been loaded to capacity (see 6.5.1), then washed
with soap conforming to P-D-245, rinsed, and dried. Low/no sudsing commercial detergents may
be substituted for P-D-245 (see 4.5.6.4).

3.4.5 Backfire. Unless otherwise specified (see 6.2), the filter element shall withstand,
without damage, the stresses resulting from an air gage pressure ranging from 69 to
690 kilopascals (kPa) [10 to 100 pounds per square inch gage (psig)] (see 4.5.6.5).

3.4.6 Differential pressure. The filter element shall be capable of withstanding without
damage, a differential pressure of 24.88 kPa (100 inches of water) between the inside and outside
of the assembly (see 4.5.6.7).

3.4.7 Environmental.

3.4.7.1 Vibration. Unless otherwise specified (see 6.2), the filter element shall be
vibration tested when installed in an air cleaner housing, termed “air cleaner assembly” for which
it was designed. The filter element shall show no evidence of structural or assembly damage after
being subjected to vibration for 8 hours in the vertical axis and 4 hours in each of the horizontal
axes (see 4.5.6.6.1).

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3.4.7.2 Efficiency after vibration. The filter element assembly shall meet the requirements
of 3.4.1 after being subjected to vibration in accordance with 3.4.7.1 (see 4.5.6.6.2).

3.5 Marking. The filter element shall be marked with the National Stock Number (NSN),
the manufacturer’s name and part number, and the maximum airflow capacity in m3/min (cfm)
(see 4.5.2).

3.6 Workmanship. Workmanship shall be such that the air cleaner filter element shall be
free of cracked end caps, surfaces out of alignment or out of contour, and missing portions of
material. Sheet metal parts shall be free of burrs, blisters, tears and excessive thinning at drawn
sections; or any condition that might present a safety hazard to operating or maintenance
personnel (see 4.5.2).

4. VERIFICATION

4.1 Classification of inspection. The inspection conditions specified herein are classified
as follows (see table I):

a. First article inspection (see 4.2).

b. Conformance inspection (see 4.3).

4.2 First article inspection. Unless otherwise specified (see 6.2), first article inspection
shall be performed on preproduction or initial production samples on each of the four samples
listed in table II. The sequence of tests to be performed on individual elements must be per
table II. The order of elements to be tested may not necessarily follow the sequence listed.

4.3 Conformance inspection. Conformance inspection shall include the examinations of

4.4 and the tests of 4.5.

4.4 Examination. Each filter element assembly shall be examined for compliance with the
requirements specified in 3.2 through 3.6. Any redesign or modification of the contractor’s
standard product to comply with specified requirements, or any necessary redesign or
modification following failure to meet the specified requirements shall receive particular attention
for adequacy and suitability. This element of inspection shall encompass all visual examinations
and dimensional measurements. Noncompliance with any specified requirements or presence of
one or more defects preventing or lessening maximum efficiency shall constitute cause for
rejection.

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TABLE I. Classification of inspections.

Inspec- First Quality
Title Requirement tion article conformance
test
Materials and 3.2, 3.3 4.5.1 X
construction
Defects 3.3, 3.5, 3.6 4.5.2 X X
Flame resistance 3.3.1 4.5.3 X
Crush resistance 3.3.2 4.5.4 X
Seal ozone 3.3.3 4.5.5 X
resistance
Efficiency 3.4.1 4.5.6.1 X X
Dust capacity 3.4.2 4.5.6.2 X
Post service 3.4.3 4.5.6.3 X
airflow restriction
Washing durability 3.4.4 4.5.6.4 X
Backfire 3.4.5 4.5.6.5 X 1/
Vibration resistance 3.4.7.1 4.5.6.6.1 X
Efficiency after 3.4.7.2 4.5.6.6.2 X
vibration
Differential pressure 3.4.6 4.5.6.7 X
1/ Not necessary when filter element is to be used on diesel engines
exclusively (see 6.2).

4.5 Methods of inspection.

4.5.1 Materials and construction. Conformance to 3.2 and 3.3 shall be determined by
inspection of contractor records providing proof or certification that design, construction,
processing, and materials conform to requirements. Applicable records shall include drawings,
specifications, design data, receiving inspection records, processing and quality control standards,
vendor catalogs and certifications, industry standards, test reports, and rating data.

4.5.2 Defects. Conformance to 3.3, 3.5 and 3.6 shall be determined by examination for
the defects listed in table III. Examination shall be visual or by measurement with standard
inspection equipment (SIE).

4.5.3 Flame resistance. To determine conformance to 3.3.1, one side of filter element
media shall be exposed to a flame until the media burns or glows. Remove the flame and observe
the filter element media.

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4.5.4 Crush resistance. To determine conformance to 3.3.2, the filter element shall be
placed in a device capable of measuring pressure (load) applied to the element from end to end.
The element shall be subjected to a static load of 1335 N (300 lbs) and filter element physically
examined and end to end height recorded both before and after applying static load.

4.5.5 Seal ozone resistance. To determine conformance to 3.3.3, the following test shall
be performed.

4.5.5.1 Test specimens. A minimum of two test specimens shall be subjected to the seal
ozone resistance test. Specimens shall be representative of seal being tested.

4.5.5.2 Apparatus. The apparatus shall include an insulated test chamber, with an ozone-
generating source outside the chamber. Means shall be provided for measuring the ozone
concentration, for controlling the temperature of air in the chamber and for circulating air. The
apparatus shall also include a means for holding and stretching the specimens.

4.5.5.3 Procedure. Specimens shall be elongated 12.5%. The stressed specimens, while
still elongated in the stretching apparatus, shall be conditioned at room temperature for not less
than 45 minutes; and then exposed for 7 days in the test chamber in which air, having an ozone
concentration of 50 + 5 parts of ozone per 100,000,000 parts of air by volume, is circulated at a
temperature of 38 + 3°C (100 + 5°F). The specimens shall be examined frequently.

4.5.6 Performance. Unless otherwise specified herein, performance tests shall be

conducted on the filter element assembly. Unless otherwise specified herein, test conditions shall
be in accordance with 3.4.

4.5.6.1 Efficiency. To determine conformance to 3.4.1, the air cleaner assembly shall be
set up in accordance with figures 2 or 3, of MIL-PRF-62048 and the air adjusted to rated flow.
Feed fine dust at 0.883 + 0.176 g/m3 (0.025 + 0.005 g/ft3) air until 110 grams have been fed or
until 30 minutes have been reached, whichever results in a greater quantity of dust. In air cleaners
where the rated airflow face velocity through the filter element media is 183 cm per minute (6
ft/min) or less, the dust shall be fed for 60 minutes. The restriction at the start of the test, and at
10 minute intervals throughout the test shall be recorded. The master filter and conductors shall
be removed from the test setup taking care to retain all the entrapped dust, and reweighed. All
dust and master filter weighing shall be accurate to 0.01 gram whenever possible, but never less
than 0.1 grams. The efficiency shall be computed using the following formula:

Dust Efficiency (%) W2-W3 x 100

W1

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Where: W1 - Weight of dust fed.

W2 - Weight of absolute filter and entrapped dust.
W3 - Original weight of absolute filter.

4.5.6.2 Dust capacity. Unless otherwise specified by the procuring activity/acquisition

document (see 6.2) to determine conformance to 3.4.2. The air cleaner shall be setup as specified
in paragraph 4.5.6.1. An absolute filter of the proper size shall be installed between the air cleaner
and the flow meter. Airflow shall be started and adjusted to rated flow of the element. Record
the initial restriction at the start of the test and at the measurement points shown at figure 1.
Coarse dust shall be fed at the rate specified in 3.4f. An absolute filter shall be remain in place at
all times. It shall be replaced with a clean fiberglass batting if the net static pressure drop across
the absolute filter reaches 2.48 kPa (10 in of water) above the original restriction. All batting
shall be weighed before and after testing as specified in Appendix A.3.2.1. The dust capacity test
shall be terminated when the air flow restriction reaches 4.98 kPa (20 in of water) at the rated air
flow or when the specified dust capacity in hours is achieved. The absolute filter shall be removed
taking care to remove all entrapped dust. The accumulated efficiency shall be recorded using the
dust efficiency equation in paragraph 4.5.6.1 including the specified accuracy of all measurements.
Unless otherwise specified on the applicable drawing or MS standard, verify that the operational
time was at least 4 hours for a single stage air cleaner assembly design and 20 hours for multi-
stage air cleaner assembly designs.

4.5.6.3 Post service airflow restriction. To determine conformance to 3.4.3, following

the dust capacity test, the filter element shall be removed from the air cleaner. The filter element
shall be cleaned by using compressed air of not more than 690 kPa (100 psig) to remove the dust.
The air hose nozzle shall be inserted into each pocket or serration of the filter element to blow out
the deposited dust, using a back and forth motion along the length of each serration and a direct
flow into each pocket from the inside out. After cleaning, the element shall be reassembled into
the air cleaner. Airflow shall be started and adjusted to the rated flow of the element. The
restriction shall be noted.

4.5.6.4 Washing durability. To determine conformance to 3.4.4, the filter element shall
be installed in the air cleaner, the efficiency at rated air flow shall be determined and recorded in
accordance with 4.5.6.1. After completing the initial efficiency test, dust shall be fed between a
minimum rate of 1.77 g/m3 (0.050 g/ft3) and a maximum rate of 10 g/m3 (0.283 g/ft3) of constant
rated airflow until a restriction of 4.98 kPa (20 in of water) is reached. The filter element shall be
removed from the housing, cleaned with compressed air, then immersed and water agitated for 6
hours in a solution of warm water 32 + 5.5°C (90 + 10°F) and soap conforming to P-D-245 or a
low sudsing commercial detergent. The filter element shall then be removed from the solution and
flushed with tap water at low pressure until all solution and dirt are removed. The rinse water
shall be flowing clean. Excess water shall be allowed to drain from the filter element for one
hour. The element should be dried in an oven for 6 hours or until there is no change in oven

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weighing of the element over two consecutive 10 minute intervals. The filter element shall then
meet the efficiency requirements of paragraph 3.4.1.

4.5.6.5 Backfire. To determine conformance to 3.4.5, the filter element used in the
efficiency test shall be cleaned, soaked for 5 hours in water, then removed from the water and
allowed to drip for 5 minutes. The element shall be installed in the air cleaner and the assembly
shall be set up as shown in figure 3. The capacity of the compressed air chamber shall equal
579 cm3 for each m3/min [1 cubic inch (in3) for each cfm] of rated airflow of the element. Starting
at 69 kPa (10 psig) in the chamber, the compressed air shall be released instantly to the assembly.
The air pressure in the chamber shall be increased in increments of 69 kPa (10 psig) until 690 kPa
(100 psig) is reached, or until structural damage occurs. The test shall be repeated 5 times at each
pressure.

4.5.6.6 Environmental.

4.5.6.6.1 Vibration resistance. Unless otherwise specified by the procuring

activity/acquisition document (see 6.2), to determine conformance to 3.4.7.1, the filter element
shall be vibrated tested when installed in the intended for air cleaner housing, termed “air cleaner
assembly.” The filter element shall be subjected to simple harmonic motion having an amplitude
of 0.08 cm (0.03 in) [0.16 cm (0.06 in) maximum total excursion], the frequency being varied
uniformly between the approximate limits of 10 to 55 hertz (Hz). The entire frequency range,
from 10 to 55 Hz and return to 10 Hz, shall be traversed in approximately one minute. The
duration of the vibration shall be eight hours in the vertical axis and 4 hours in each of the
horizontal axis. The test shall be conducted first in an ambient temperature of 65.5 + 3°C (150 +
5°F), then repeated in an ambient temperature of -54 + 3°C (-65 + 5°F) . Upon completion, the
filter element shall meet the requirements of 3.4.1.

4.5.6.6.2 Efficiency after vibration. To determine conformance to 3.4.7.2, the tests shall
be conducted as follows:

a. The vibration resistance test shall be conducted in accordance with 4.5.6.6.1, but
at a temperature of 21.1 to 32.2 °C (70 to 90 °F) only.
b. The efficiency test of 4.5.6.1 shall be conducted. The efficiency shall be not less
than 99.5%.

4.5.6.7 Differential pressure test. To determine conformance to 3.4.6 following post

service airflow restriction, the filter element assembly need not be installed in it’s intended air
cleaner housing for the test. Connect the filter element to a flow source capable of a minimum
24.88 kPa (100 in of water) negative pressure (vacuum) at the rated air flow of the filter element
(see figure 4). Feed dust to the filter element at a rate not to exceed 88.3 g/m3 (2.5 g/ft3) until the
differential pressure (pressure drop) reaches 24.88 kPa (100 in of water). At this condition

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inspect filter element for dust tracking and structural damage. Signs for dust tracking shall be
observed on clean side of filter element. If filter element is installed in air cleaner housing for
differential pressure test, then reference SAE J726 air cleaner test code industrial air cleaner test
procedures, airflow restriction and pressure drop test.

TABLE II. First article test sequence.

Sample number Tests Paragraph
1 Efficiency 4.5.6.1
Washing durability Efficiency 4.5.6.4
Efficiency 4.5.6.1

2 Efficiency after vibration 4.5.6.6.2

Backfire 1/ 4.5.6.5
Crush resistance 4.5.4
Flame resistance 4.5.3

3 Dust capacity 4.5.6.2

Post service airflow restriction 4.5.6.3
Differential pressure 4.5.6.7

4 Efficiency 4.5.6.1
Vibration resistance 4.5.6.6.1
Efficiency 4.5.6.1

Material sample Ozone resistance 4.5.5

1/ Not necessary when filter element is to be used on
diesel engines exclusively (see 6.2).

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TABLE III. Classification of defects.

Method of
Category Defect examination
Major:
101 Dimensions affecting interchangeability SIE 1/
out of tolerance (see 3.3).
102 Nonconformance in design and construction Visual
(see 3.3).
103 Faulty workmanship affecting performance Visual
(see 3.6).
Minor:
201 Dimensions not affecting interchangeability SIE
out of tolerance (see 3.3).
202 Marking improper (see 3.5). Visual
203 Faulty workmanship affecting appearance Visual
(see 3.6).
1/ SIE = Standard Inspection Equipment.

5. PACKAGING

5.1 Packaging. For acquisition purposes, the packaging requirements shall be as specified
in the contract or order (see 6.2). When actual packaging of materiel is to be performed by DoD
personnel, these personnel need to contact the responsible packaging activity to ascertain requisite
packaging requirements. Packaging requirements are maintained by the Inventory Control Point’s
packaging activity within the Military Department of Defense Agency, or within the Military
Department’s System Command. Packaging data retrieval is available from the managing Military
Department’s or Defense Agency’s automated packaging files, CD-ROM products, or by
contacting the responsible packaging activity.

6. NOTES

(This section contains information of a general or explanatory nature that may be helpful,
but is not mandatory.)

6.1 Intended use. Filter elements covered by this specification are intended for use in
intake air cleaners conforming to MIL-PRF-62048 used with internal-combustion engines for
automotive applications.

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6.2 Acquisition requirements. Acquisition documents should specify the following:

a. Title, number, and date of this specification.

b. Issue of DoDISS to be cited in the solicitation, and if required, the specific issue of
individual documents referenced (see 2.2.1 and 2.3).
c. If first article samples are not required (see 3.1).
d. Applicable drawing or standard title, number, and date (see 3.3).
e. If design changes are required (see 3.3).
f. If crush resistance data should be other than as specified (see 3.3.2).
g. If test conditions should be other than specified (see 3.4).
h. If post service airflow restrictions should be other than as specified (see 3.4.3).
i. If first article sample should be subjected to backfire inspection (see 3.4.5 and
tables I and II).
j. If vibration resistance test should be other than specified (see 3.4.7.1).
j. If dust capacity test should be other than specified (see 4.5.6.2).
k. If vibration resistance test should be other than specified (see 4.5.6.6.1).
l. Packaging requirements (see 5.1).

6.3 Subject term (key word) listing.

Impurities; Engine, gasoline and diesel

Material, porous, purification

6.4 Changes from previous issue. Marginal notations are not used in this revision to
identify changes with respect to the previous issue due to the extensiveness of the changes.

6.5 Definitions.

6.5.1 Load capacity and loaded to capacity. “Load capacity” and “loaded to capacity”
mean that the dust load has caused the air cleaner restriction to reach 4.98 kPa (20 in of water).

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APPENDIX A

SPECIAL TEST EQUIPMENT

A.1 SCOPE

A.1.1 Scope. This appendix details the special test equipment necessary for the validation
of the filter elements. This appendix is a mandatory part of this specification.

A.2 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

(This section is not applicable to this appendix.)

A.3 PROCEDURE

A.3.1 Piezometer tubes, adapters, manometer, and flowmeter. Piezometer tubes

conforming to SAE J726 and equal to, or the next size larger [maximum of 1.3 cm (0.5 in) larger]
than, shall be installed at the outlet and where applicable at the inlet of the air cleaner. Transition
ducts (if required) shall be installed between the flanges of the air cleaner inlet (or outlet) and the
piezometer tubes. Transition ducts shall have sides at angles no greater than 7 degrees as
measured from the centerline of the transition piece. A smooth approach (ideal flow orifice), (see
SAE J726 and figure 2) shall be installed on the front of the inlet piezometer tube where
applicable. Adapters installed after the outlet piezometer tubes shall have sides at angles no
greater than 7 degrees, as measured from the centerline of the transition piece. A water type
manometer shall be installed between the two piezometer tubes, as applicable. A flowmeter of
adequate capacity shall be connected to the outlet of the adapter.

A.3.2 Absolute filter. The absolute filter shall consist of a 1.3 cm (0.5 in) batt of
fiberglass installed in a holder in such a manner as to filter all air passing through the outlet of the
air cleaner. The absolute filter shall be as specified in SAE J726.

A.3.2.1 Preparation of absolute filter. The fiberglass batting shall be hung in an air oven
and dried for 6 hours at a temperature of 93.3 to 115.5°C (200 to 240°F), and then weighed to
the nearest 0.01 gram. This drying time may be reduced and the batting considered as dry if there
is no change in weight of the batting at two consecutive 10 minutes intervals. A similar drying
and weighing (conducted in oven) shall be performed after each test.

A.3.3 Dust feeder. The dust feeder shall be as specified in SAE J726, without the
required use of a dust injection nozzle in the dust feeding system.

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APPENDIX A

A.3.4 Air cleaner preparation. Unless otherwise specified herein, a clean unused filter
element shall be installed in the air cleaner for each test (the filter element is not considered “used”
after use in a restriction test). Further, the air cleaner assembly (less filter element) shall be
cleaned thoroughly with compressed air if it has been subjected previously to a test in which dust
was used.

A.3.5 Filter element mounting. Unless otherwise specified the filter element shall be
tested in an air cleaner housing intended for its application which shall be mounted in its normal
operating attitude and shall be electrically grounded.

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APPENDIX A

0.0508 (0.020) R
0.1016 (0.040)
3.02 R
(1.1875)

* THROAT DIA.

1.27 (0.50)

NOTE: ALL DIMENSIONS IN CENTIMETERS (INCHES) 4.92

(1.9375)

* 19.05 (7.500) + 0.0254 (0.010) OR 10.16 (4.000) + 0.0254 (0.010)

DEPENDING ON PIEZOMETER TUBE DIAMETER

Throat Throat
Diameter Airflow Diameter Airflow
3 3
cm in m /min cfm cm in m /min cfm
16.03 6-5/16 56.63 2000 8.89 3-1/2 19.82 700
15.56 6-1/8 53.80 1900 8.57 3-3/8 16.99 600
15.24 6.0 50.97 1800 7.94 3-1/8 14.16 500
14.76 5-13/16 48.14 1700 6.99 2-3/4 11.33 400
14.29 5-5/8 45.31 1600 6.03 2-3/8 8.495 300
13.81 5-7/16 42.48 1500 4.92 1-15/16 5.663 200
13.34 5-1/4 39.64 1400 4.45 1-3/4 4.672 165
12.70 5.0 36.81 1300 3.81 1-1/2 3.398 120
12.22 4-13/16 33.98 1200 3.49 1-3/8 2.832 100
11.75 4-5/8 31.15 1100 3.18 1-1/4 2.407 85
11.11 4-3/8 28.32 1000 2.54 1.0 1.557 55
10.48 4-1/8 25.49 900 2.06 13/16 0.991 35
9.53 3-3/4 22.65 800 1.59 5/8 0.566 20
1.11 7/16 0.283 10

FIGURE 2. Ideal flow nozzle.

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APPENDIX A

PRESSURE GAGE
COMPRESSED AIR
ADAPTER LIKE VALVE

PIPE CAP
10.16 cm (4 inch) STOP COCK
PRESSURE CHAMBER OR REDUCER
(HEAVY WALL PIPE)

FIGURE 3. Backfire test setup.

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MIL-PRF-46736D

Custodian: Preparing activity:

Army - AT Army - AT

Review activity: (Project 2940-0155)

DLA - CS

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