SMCAF40-F04-AModular 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 series40 – body size 40F04 – 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

Two specs decide whether this filter fits your line. First, the port size: G1/2 is a parallel (BSPP) thread, not NPT. It seals on a bonded washer or O-ring at the face, not on the thread taper, so screwing NPT fittings into it — or it into an NPT port — will leak or damage the thread. Check which thread form your pipework uses before ordering.

Second, the 5 micron element. That 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 will not deliver instrument-grade or paint-grade air — for that you need a coalescing filter downstream, and the AF40 is the sensible unit to put in front 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 lets you see the condensate level, and the 360° bowl guard is there because polycarbonate is attacked by some solvents and synthetic compressor oils; if the air carries those, a metal bowl version is the right choice.

Published specifications

Type: modular compressed-air filter, AF seriesBody size: 40Port size: G1/2 (both ports)Filtration: 5 micron non-woven elementMaximum operating pressure: 1.0 MPa (approximately 150 psi)Ambient and fluid temperature: −5 to 60 °CBowl: transparent polycarbonate with 360° bowl guardDrain: manual drain cockBody: die-cast aluminiumSeals: NBRFluid: compressed air

What is in the box

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

Quantity and configuration

Sold as 1 piece. Ten units in stock, so multiples can be supplied.

Installation and setup notes

Fit it with the flow arrow pointing downstream and the bowl vertical — the filter separates water by centrifugal action and gravity, so it does not work mounted sideways. Leave clearance below the bowl for draining and for element changes. Drain the bowl before the condensate reaches the baffle line, or the collected water will be carried straight back into the air stream. Clean the bowl with soapy water only; solvents craze polycarbonate.

Interchange guidance

Within the AF range, the modular interface is shared by body size, so any AF40 body will join the same size 40 regulator or lubricator. An AF30 or AF50 is a different body size and will 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.