Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
They are saying that all particles that are 20 microns or larger are captured. Simple as that. That also means that for every 100 particles that hit the filter, only 1 will get through that is 20 microns or larger.
If any particle 20 microns or larger is getting through, it's most likely a 20 micron particle instead of a 50 micron particle.
Remember, the efficiency test is done per ISO 4548-12 which dictates what sized particles are used in the test. They can't fudge around that. Purolator also quotes ISO 4548-12 ... but what does WIX quote? They don't say ... humm, who knows HOW they do their efficiency testing?
Not quite, and I respectably disagree.
One,testing is controlled uses know sized particles, so there is a lot less "guessing". You can control for 20 microns and ISO 4548-12 is very specifc. So there is no out there. So you are correct that ISO uses specific outcomes/measurements. Then why does Fram not use that specificity or a Beta ratio which is specific to 4548-12 in their disclaimer? That whiffs of something funky (or bad marketing). It would be like Shell Oil using a different metric for their viscosity. Its close but ambiguous enough to fudge things. Thus, if you have a mix of micron particles 20-100 microns and and a filter catches 99%, it comes down to how you count that 99%. Is it by mass? Is it by a simple count? Fram could be catching an average of those particles of 99%. Thus 99.99 at 40, 99.9 at 30 and 97.5% at 20 and still meet their 99% claim. Now, Fram could be catching 99% at 20 but their marketing statement is not saying that. Considering that Purolater is a lot less wish-washy (but it is only for one specific filter), it sounds like Fram is trying to match the language. It is just like Purolator's awkward language about their replacement schedule.
Purolater:
Quote:
What does 99.9% efficiency mean? It means that 99.9% of all contaminants that pass through a PureONE oil filter are captured in the media...Based on ISO 4548-12 at 20 microns on PL30001
We can assert that purolator is stating a B100/20
Simply by using beta ratio, WIX clears up a lot more "greyness" than fram but yes, I would like the specific test rather than assuming 4548-12 (though that is fairly standard) and I see it as a lot less of a leap than Fram's jump.
If fram drops the "
ISO 4548-12 for particles greater than 20 microns" and changes it to "
ISO 4548-12 for particles at 20 microns" then the debate is over.
That "greater than" modifier is big issue.
Despite purolator having better statements, they still could not filter out gravel after a few hundred miles.
