What is the difference between a strainer and a sieve?

Filters and sieves are two common tools for separating materials that serve some similar functions, but also have significant differences.

First of all, a filter is a device designed to filter or separate materials. It is usually used to remove impurities in materials or separate particles of different sizes. The screening effect of materials is controlled by the pore size of the filter. Filters usually have a strong screening effect and reliable material separation function, and are suitable for some material processing that requires higher precision, such as in pharmaceutical and chemical production processes. Filters typically have a small pore size to remove very fine particles such as grit, sand and solid matter such as ash.

Secondly, a sieve is a tool similar to a filter, which is usually made of mesh material to screen materials by pore size and separate them into different grades. Different from the filter, the pore size of the sieve is relatively large, and it is usually used to screen relatively large particles, such as flour, rice and other materials, and its screening effect is relatively weak, and often requires multiple screenings to completely remove impurities. Some material handling that requires a coarser screening capability.

In addition, filters usually require special equipment and operations to complete the screening process, such as extrusion, suction and other forced fly filtration, in order to better separate materials. The sieve is usually simple and easy to use, and can be screened manually or electrically, which is suitable for some small-scale material screening work.

In actual production and scientific research, both filters and sieves play an irreplaceable role. However, their scope of use is different from that of supporting equipment, and it is necessary to make the correct choice according to actual needs.