In the case of dust separation with surface filters, both the structure of the formed cake and the adhesive bonds on particle contacts significantly influence the operating behavior. Microscopic as well as macroscopic insights into the characteristics of deliquescence and efflorescence of salt particles in contact with non-hygroscopic particles are presented. By means of an environmental scanning electron microscope a change to the adhesive bonds as well as a restructuring of the dust cake are observed. The change in the performance of test filters by inducing deliquescence and efflorescence of the salt particle fraction in a dust cake is investigated on a customized standard filter testing rig.