Monthly Archives: December 2020

Thin film track etched membranes, commonly referred to as polycarbonate (PCTE) and polyester (PET) filters, feature a unique pore structure and optical clarity unlike most filters. A complex, two step manufacturing process involving ion bombardment of the film followed by a chemical bath results in this attractive membrane exhibiting a smooth surface interrupted with the appearance of wrinkles, or rather waves, which may be concerning to first time users.

Waves are a structural artifact of the manufacturing process for these delicate yet durable membranes, made with very thin polymer films, less than half the thickness of a human hair. During the manufacturing process, long lengths of film are necessarily unwound and rewound into large rolls, multiple times. As a result of inhomogeneities in the material and slight fluctuations in thickness and tensile strength, waves occur while winding the material during the etching process. The more the roll is wound, the more intensive the

Sterlitech will be closed December 24, 25, 31, and January 1st for the holidays.

Knotty & Nice: New ways to treat textile wastewater

While holiday parties will be virtual this year, holiday sweaters in all their glittered, sometimes sequined, and knit glory are still making their annual appearance. Textile manufacturing is a multibillion dollar global industry, and novelty products like holiday sweaters comprise a significant market in the United States. We rely on textile products in our holiday sweaters, carpets, furniture, bedding, cars, hospitals, and more. In the United States alone, the textile market is projected to increase by 4.3% over the next seven years (1), which will lead to an increase in production waste as well. Wastewater from textile plants includes dyes, dispersants, and fixatives, or levelling agents, many of which are not biodegradable (2). In addition, dying is an inefficient process and high concentrations of textile dye never make it into the fabric. Removing the excess dye from waste water through various recycling