SMCModular Compressed-Air Filter, Size 40, G1/2 Ports, 5 Micron, 1.0 MPa, Polycarbonate Bowl with Drain

Product Description

What this part is

An SMC AF series modular compressed-air filter, body size 40, with G1/2 inlet and outlet ports and a 5 micron element. It removes water condensate and solid particulate from a compressed-air line before that air reaches valves, cylinders and air tools. Body size 40 is the mid-large frame in the AF range, so it suits main-line and machine-inlet duty rather than a single small actuator.

Decoding the order code

AF: SMC air filter, modular FRL series.

40: body size 40.

F04: G1/2 port thread, parallel pipe thread, size 04.

-A: option code for this build, retained as an ordering reference.

Also written AF40F04A and AF40-F04.

What these specs mean in practice

Port size is the first decisive spec. G1/2 is a parallel (BSPP) thread rather than NPT. It seals on a bonded washer or O-ring at the face rather than on a thread taper, so an NPT fitting screwed into it, or the filter screwed into an NPT port, leaks or damages the thread.

The 5 micron element is general-purpose protection. It catches condensate and the coarse rust and scale that come off pipework, which is what most valves and cylinders need. It does not deliver instrument-grade or paint-grade air; a coalescing filter downstream does that, and the AF40 sits ahead of one so the fine element does not clog.

Being modular, it joins directly to other SMC air-preparation units of the same body size, a regulator and lubricator, to build a compact FRL station without pipe nipples between the bodies.

The polycarbonate bowl shows the condensate level. The 360° bowl guard is fitted because polycarbonate is attacked by some solvents and synthetic compressor oils; a metal bowl version covers that duty.

Published specifications

Type: modular compressed-air filter, AF series.

Body size: 40.

Port size: G1/2, both ports.

Filtration: 5 micron non-woven element.

Maximum operating pressure: 1.0 MPa, approximately 150 psi.

Ambient and fluid temperature: −5 to 60 °C.

Bowl: transparent polycarbonate with 360° bowl guard.

Drain: manual drain cock.

Body: die-cast aluminium.

Seals: NBR.

Fluid: compressed air.

Scope of supply

The filter unit with bowl and element. No mounting bracket, no port fittings, no modular joining kit and no pressure gauge are included. Joining it to a regulator or lubricator takes the matching modular spacer and clamp set for body size 40.

Quantity and configuration

Sold as 1 piece.

Mounting data

Orientation: flow arrow downstream, bowl vertical. The filter separates water by centrifugal action and gravity.

Clearance below the bowl is needed for draining and element changes.

Condensate is drained before it reaches the baffle line, above which collected water re-enters the air stream.

Bowl cleaning: soapy water. Solvents craze polycarbonate.

Interchange guidance

Within the AF range the modular interface is shared by body size, so any AF40 body joins the same size 40 regulator or lubricator. An AF30 or AF50 is a different body size and does not join the same modular stack. Functionally comparable G1/2 5 micron general-purpose filters come from Festo (LF series), Norgren (Excelon), Parker (P32) and Numatics, though modular joining hardware does not cross between brands.