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PTFE Unlaminated Membrane Filters, 0.45 micron, 25mm, 50/Pk

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PTU0452550
Sterlitech
0.45
25
50
1-2 days

Performance by Pore Size

Pore Size Rating (µm) Thickness (µm) Air Permeability1
(L/min·cm² at 70mbar)
Clean Water Flow2
(mL/min·cm² at 0.7bar)
Water Entry Pressure (psi) Alcohol Bubble Point3 (psi)
0.2 25-51 0.3-0.9 15 NT 19-26
0.45 25-51 0.5-1.4 NT >45 13-23
1.0 203-305 0.9-1.1 61-92 5.5-6.5 1.0-1.4
3.0
75 NT 300 NT 1.9
5.0 152-254 1.1-1.3 92-153 3.5-4.5 0.8-1.2
10 130 >1.2 >94 NT 0.7

Notes:
1. Airflow values calculated assuming linear relationship between volumetric airflow and differential pressure.
2. Water flows measured after prewetting with alcohol and calculated assuming linear relationship between flow and differential pressure.
3. Bubble points for 0.2µm, 0.45µm, and 3.0µm pore sizes measured using IPA; all others measured using ethanol.

  • Chemicals, Petrochemicals, and Fertilizers
  • Computers, Semiconductors, and Electronics
  • Food and Beverage
  • Glass and Glass Products
  • Healthcare, Hospitals
  • Metals and Metals Fabrication, Mining (Coal, Minerals, Metals)
  • Pharmaceutical and Medicine
  • Power Generation
  • HPLC

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Frequently Asked Questions

The pores of microporous membrane filters act as small capillaries.  When hydrophilic membranes come into contact with water, capillary action associated with surface tension forces causes the water to spontaneously enter and fill the pores.  In this manner, the membranes are easily wetted and allow the bulk flow of water through the pores.  Once wetted, hydrophilic membranes will not allow the bulk flow of air or other gasses, unless they are applied at pressures greater than the membrane’s bubble point.

Hydrophilic membrane filters are typically used with water and aqueous solutions.  They can also be used with compatible non-aqueous fluids.  Hydrophilic membrane filters are typically not used for air, gas or vent filtration since the filters would block flow if inadvertently wetted, by condensation for example.

When hydrophobic membranes come into contact with water, surface tension forces act to repel the water from the pores.  Water will not enter the pores and the membranes will act as a barrier to water flow, unless the water is applied at pressures greater than the membrane’s water entry pressure.  Low surface tension fluids, such as alcohols, can spontaneously enter and fill the pores of hydrophobic membranes.  Once all the air in the pores is displaced, there are no longer any surface tension forces and water can easily enter the pores, displace the low surface tension fluid, and pass through the membrane.  The membrane will then allow bulk flow of water for as long as the pore remain water filled.  If the membrane is allowed to dry (i.e. air enters the pores), then it must be pre-wet with a low surface tension fluid again prior to use with water.

Hydrophobic membrane filters are typically used with compatible non-aqueous fluids.  They are also commonly used as air, gas, or vent filters.  Hydrophobic membrane filters are sometimes used with water or aqueous solutions; and, in these applications, they must first be prewet with a low surface tension, water miscible fluid prior to use.

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) membrane filters are extremely hydrophobic and offer exceptional chemical compatibility, making them ideal for aggressive solvents, acids, and bases. PTFE membranes are widely used for venting, gas filtration, and solvent filtration applications where liquid repellency, high purity, and chemical resistance are critical.

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

*5.0um and 8.0um - max temp is 180°C

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

Nominal pore size ratings provide a general indication of filter retention efficiency, meaning some particles equal to or larger than the stated pore size may pass through the filter. Nominal ratings can vary by manufacturer, so filters with the same nominal pore size may not offer equivalent filtration performance.

Absolute pore size ratings are determined through controlled particle or microbial retention testing and represent the smallest particles that are consistently retained by the membrane. These ratings are often correlated with bubble point specifications and are generally more comparable across manufacturers.

Important: Actual filtration performance depends on application conditions, even when using filters with absolute pore size ratings.

Advantec unlaminated hydrophilic PTFE membrane filters are not permanently hydrophilic. Once the membrane is wetted, it can revert to hydrophobic behavior if it is allowed to dry. In addition, the membrane may become hydrophobic after autoclave sterilization or other exposure to temperatures above 100 °C.

The pore size refers to the diameter of the individual pores in a membrane filter.   Pore size is typically specified in micrometers (µm).   Most membranes and filter media actually contain a distribution of pore sizes.  Nominal pore size ratings typically refer to the predominant pore size of a filtration media; pores larger and smaller than the nominal rating may be present.  Absolute pore size ratings typically refer to the largest pore size of a membrane and it is expected that all pores will be equal to or smaller than the absolute rating.

For the polycarbonate track-etch (PCTE) and polyester track-etch (PETE) membrane filters, porosity is the percent of the total surface area occupied by the pores; it typically ranges from <1% to 16%.  For the other membrane filters, porosity is the percent of the total volume occupied by the pores; it typically ranges from 40 to 80%.

You can find the Sterlitech compatibility guide.  It is important to realize that application conditions, such as operating temperature, affect compatibility.  Please contact us at [email protected] if you need assistance.

The bubble point is the minimum amount of pressure required to push air bubbles through the largest pore of a wet membrane.  The bubble point is inversely proportional to the pore diameter, as the pore diameter decreases the bubble point increases and vice versa.

Retention efficiency of membrane filters can be directly measured by challenging the filters with suspensions of standard microorganism cultures or particles of known size.  Unfortunately, such efficiency testing is necessarily destructive.  However, since retention characteristics are dependent on pore size, it is possible to correlate destructive challenge testing results to non-destructive membrane bubble point tests.  In this manner, the relationship between membrane pore size and membrane bubble point is empirically determined.  Typically, a minimum bubble point can be determined and specified for a particular pore size rating.  The bubble point specification is then used for quality control during membrane manufacture.  The bubble point can also be used by the consumer as a nondestructive test to verify membrane integrity before and/or after use.    

Depth filters are constructed with relatively thick filtration media and typically have nominal pore size ratings >1µm. Due to their large void volume, they capture significant amounts of particulate within their pore structure.
Membrane filters are typically composed of polymers that have been chemically processed, resulting in highly porous thin films with microscopic pore structures. Membrane filters typically have absolute pore size ratings <1µm, with some exceptions. Because of their very fine pore structure, membrane filters tend to trap the majority of particles on the surface. However, smaller particles with diameters near or below the pore size rating can be captured within the membrane or pass through the membrane.

If you are looking for polypropylene membrane filters, you can consider PTFE membranes instead.

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.

membrane filters vs separator papers

To ensure ease of use, the membrane filters as stacked in their packaging are interleafed with layers of separator paper.  In most cases, the membrane filters will be white in color except for the track-etch membranes which are colorless and translucent.  In some special cases, the membranes will be dyed dark grey to black in appearance.  In all cases, the separator paper will be a different color than the membrane and is usually not white.  Please contact us at [email protected] if you need assistance.

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