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Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more on what Sterlitech Corporation has to offer. Find answers to your questions about our filtration products here!

Mixed Cellulose Esters (MCE) FAQ

<p><span>Ideally, nitrocellulose (NC) membranes would be made entirely of nitrocellulose </span><span>polymer. However, almost all commercially available filtration grade </span><span>membrane filters labeled as “nitrocellulose” are actually composed of membranes </span><span>made with a mixture of nitrocellulose and cellulose acetate polymers. </span><span>This is because pure nitrocellulose membrane filters are very difficult to </span><span>manufacture with acceptable characteristics. </span></p> <p><span>In an effort to provide clarity </span><span>to consumers, some manufactures refer to membranes containing a mixture of </span><span>nitrocellulose and cellulose acetate polymers as mixed cellulose esters (MCE) </span><span>membranes. In almost all filtration applications, mixed cellulose esters </span><span>(MCE) membrane filters are equivalent to nitrocellulose (NC) membrane filters.</span><br /><br /></p>
Yes, the MCE membrane filters do have a limited shelf life. The MCE membranes necessarily contain wetting agents that improve performance by ensuring good wettability with water and aqueous solutions. Prolonged storage of the MCE membrane filters, especially after the packaging has been opened, may allow the wetting agents to degrade. For optimal filter performance, it is recommended that the MCE filters be consumed within one year from being received.
<p><span data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;The grid dimensions are 3mm x 3mm. The average number of squares for a 47 mm disc filter is 185.&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:11137,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;10&quot;:0,&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;14&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:11839446},&quot;16&quot;:8}">The grid dimensions are 3mm x 3mm. The average number of squares for a 47 mm disc filter is 185.</span></p>

Sterile mixed cellulose esters (MCE) membrane filters are used in vast quantities for microbiological studies across many industries and are manufactured in very high volumes to accommodate this demand.  Economies of scale and process automation allow the sterile MCE membrane filters to be offered at lower pack costs compared to non-sterile MCE membrane filters.  Non-sterile MCE filters are used much less frequently, necessitating less efficient, smaller volume manufacturing runs and packaging methods.  Consequently, the non-sterile MCE membrane filters have intrinsically greater manufacturing costs and must be offered at higher prices.

Unfortunately, in most instances, we are unable to supply the MCE membrane filters with custom diameters. Please inquire with your Sterlitech sales representative about alternatives.

MCE membrane filters offer fast flow rates, high protein-binding capacity, and strong thermal stability, making them a common choice for environmental and biological laboratory filtration. They’re available as presterilized, individually wrapped membranes, and gridded MCE filters can be used for easy microbial colony counting and quantification.

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