Aluminum Oxide Membrane Handling Tips

The aluminum oxide (AO) membrane filters are extremely brittle and will fracture if subjected to bending.  Great care must be used when handling and placing the filters.  They cannot be handled using fingers.  They must be handled with smooth membrane tweezers or with vacuum tweezers, such as SPI 00016-AB or similar.  When choosing vacuum tweezers, make sure to select one that apply continuous vacuum with an electrically powered motor.  Continuous vacuum is required since the AO membrane is permeable and will have some small airflow.  Don't bother trying the cheap vacuum tweezers that use squeeze bulbs to create vacuum; they won't work.

 

Aluminum Oxide Filter Membranes