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Nitrocellulose Mixed Ester (MCE) Membrane Filters, Sterile, Gridded, 0.22 Micron, 47mm, 100/Pk

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MFMCE047022GWS
Membrane Solutions
0.22
47
Yes
100
1-2 days

Features

  • High porosity
  • High protein binding can be blocked by pre-treatment or utilized in application
  • High purity: Triton-free
  • Biologically inert with good thermal stability
  • High degree of internal surface area for greater adsorption of product

Performance by Pore Size

Pore Size(um) Color Bubble Point(Bar) Water Flow Rate (mL/min/cm2) Air Flow Rate (L/min/cm2) Porosity
0.22 White 3.62 19 2 75
0.45 White 2.23 60 5 79
0.8 White 0.95 180 15 82
1.0 White 0.77 270 20 82
Application Color

Pore Size(µm)

Sterilizing filtration, bioassays White 0.22
Clarification of aqueous solutions, particle removal and analysis, microbiology analysis White 0.45
Air monitoring, particle monitoring, particle removal, bioassays White 0.8
Clarification of aqueous solutions White 1.0

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Frequently Asked Questions

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.

The maximum operating temperatures for Sterlitech filter membranes are listed below.

*5.0um and 8.0um - max temp is 180°C

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.

Cellulose acetate (CA) and nitrocellulose (MCE) membranes will last 2 1/2 to 3 years before reverting to their natural hydrophobic states.  Nylon, on the other hand, is naturally hydrophilic so it does not have a shelf life.

An easy test for older membranes is to perform a "wetting out" test.  Dipping a small portion of the membrane into water (hydrophilic membranes) or an alcohol (hydrophobic membranes) works well.  If the membrane absorbs the material, or "wets out", it has not gone past the shelf life.

Ideally, nitrocellulose (NC) membranes would be made entirely of nitrocellulose polymer. However, almost all commercially available filtration grade membrane filters labeled as “nitrocellulose” are actually composed of membranes made with a mixture of nitrocellulose and cellulose acetate polymers. This is because pure nitrocellulose membrane filters are very difficult to manufacture with acceptable characteristics. 

In an effort to provide clarity to consumers, some manufactures refer to membranes containing a mixture of nitrocellulose and cellulose acetate polymers as mixed cellulose esters (MCE) membranes. In almost all filtration applications, mixed cellulose esters (MCE) membrane filters are equivalent to nitrocellulose (NC) membrane filters.

We have a Chemical Compatibility Chart that you can use for reference. 

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.

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.

A. We have several membranes to recommend for gravimetric analysis.

  • Mixed Cellulose Esters (MCE) Membrane Filters, Plain: In gravimetric analysis using ashing techniques, (MCE) Nitrocellulose filters yield a residue of less than 0.045% of their initial weight.  They are hydrophilic with a non-cytotoxic wetting agent extractable level of less than 4% of their weight.
  • Polycarbonate Track-Etch Membranes (PCTE) - 25mm:  Polycarbonate Track-Etch or our Polyester Track-Etch (PETE) membranes are two membranes that offer exceptionally low tare weights, are non-hygroscopic, and exhibit extremely low absorption and adsorption losses.
    Since these membranes are non-hygroscopic, they are particularly well suited for gravimetric analysis.  They do not require drying when used directly out of the package.  If they are wet, they can be dried rapidly and will not pick up moisture from the air during weighing.
  • Glass Fiber Filters & Prefilters:  Glass fiber filters without binders are recommended for analytical and gravimetric determinations.

Sample packs allow the customer to purchase small quantities of membrane filters at nominal cost, with various diameters and pore sizes as selected.  This allows the customer to preform trials as needed to determine the optimal filter for their application before committing to purchasing standard pack quantities.

 

In most cases, membrane filter samples can be purchased in sizes that are not listed in the standard sample packs.  Please contact us at [email protected] to inquire about availability and pricing.

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