Woven and Nonwoven
Two proven air slide medias.
Range of Permeabilities
Matched to your air slides.
Up to 500°F
Continuous, 600°F peak.
Rush Service
Available when you need it.
Choosing the Right Air Slide Fabric
AFF offers solid woven and nonwoven air permeable fabrics engineered specifically for air gravity conveyors and fluidized beds.
How Air Slides Work
An air slide, also called an air gravity conveyor or pneumatic conveying chute, is an enclosed chute divided into two chambers by an air slide fabric. A blower feeds low pressure air into the lower air chamber. The air passes through the permeable fabric and aerates the cement powder, flour or other dry bulk material in the upper chamber until it behaves like a fluid. Because the chamber is inclined, gravity then carries the material down the slide.
In a cement plant, air slides carry bulk cement from mills and silos to packers and load-out, and across various industries they move bulk materials from one process to the next.
Air gravity conveyors are some of the most efficient ways to convey bulk powders. They need only a small amount of air and a slight incline to move material for hundreds of feet, and without the moving parts of a conveyor belt or the high air volume of other pneumatic conveying systems and machinery, air slides are less expensive to operate. The fabric is the heart of the system: its air permeability, strength and abrasion resistance decide conveying efficiency and service life. Good air permeability with no leakage of powder into the air chamber is what keeps air slides running.
Woven Air Slide Fabric
AFF sells only the finest woven air-slide offering the best abrasion resistance in the market. All our woven materials are precision woven using a special weaving technique that provides a smooth surface, even air permeability, a strong self-cleaning effect and no pressure loss during lifetime.
The constant air permeability of this custom weave is ideal for mixing and fluidizing and keeps material flowing without interruption for complete discharge without residue. High tensile strength eliminates elongation and sagging after installation, keeping the bed operating efficiently. Woven airslide is available in polyester and, for higher temperatures, aramid yarns.
Polyveyor Needled Polyester Air Slide Fabric
This needled polyester fabric, Polyveyor, is specifically designed to be the ideal membrane for fluidized beds and air gravity conveyors. Its needled construction provides uniform and consistent air flow across the entire surface of the fabric, and it is finished to a smooth, uniform thickness for consistent airflow.
Polyveyor will not unravel or perforate, so heat sealing is not required on cut edges, and the needling process eliminates the need to stretch the fabric during installation. Its pores are so fine they keep product from sifting down to the air chamber. Polyveyor is available for regular and high-temperature applications.
Air Slide Fabric Permeability Grades
Selecting the right air slide fabric depends on the type of material, slide length and blower. We offer a range of permeabilities for different applications. Higher grade numbers are tighter weaves that pass less air at the same pressure. Airflow values are approximate, read from the manufacturer’s permeability chart; we will confirm the right grade for your powder, slide length and blower.
Air Slide Fabric Abrasion Test Results
How a fabric wears is a measure of its robustness, and abrasion is a clear indication of lifetime when comparing yarns. These results come from textile abrasion testing to DIN EN ISO 5470 Part 1 on a Taber Abrader: 2.2 kp load, abrasion rolls, 1,000 rubs, 0.19″ fabric thickness at 68°F. Values are read from the test chart; lower loss means longer life.
Fluidizing Fabric for Live Bottom Silos
Fluidized beds are in the bottom of silos, ships, barges, railcars and trailers. The common term for this is “live bottom” as it allows the air to permeate the bulk powder material and causes it to act as a fluid. Once fluidized, the vessel can be efficiently and cheaply emptied.
The same woven and nonwoven air slide fabrics we supply for air slides line fluidized bed aeration panels, giving even aeration and complete discharge. For dust control on the same systems, see our filter bags.
Materials Conveyed on Air Slides
Air slide fabrics are used in fluidized beds and air gravity conveyors that move dry powder and granular materials in cement production and many other industries, including:
More Filtration From AFF
Airslide fabric is quoted to order. Explore the filter media, custom production and filter bags that work alongside it.
