Discover Which Membrane Is Right for Your Application
Your Guide to Filtration & Membranes
With a comprehensive range of membrane, syringe, and capsule filters, it may be hard to know exactly what you need for your day-to-day or single application(s). Whether you are testing HPLC Solutions or studying the culturing of microorganisms, we have the filter for you. Offering a wide selection of membranes with your choice of diameter, sterility, and a multitude of pore sizes, The Lab Depot can accommodate the diverse needs and applications in each and every laboratory. Each filter is made with the highest quality manufacturing standards, product performance, and application support for laboratory-scale filtration. Refer to this Membrane Selection Guide for all questions regarding typical applications and the usage of membranes.
Air Analysis
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|---|---|
| Particulate Analysis | PCTE or PETE | Samples are collected in one plane, in focus.
Superior morphologic resolution. No clearing of membrane for most applications. Simpler slide preparation. Uniform sample deposition. Particles can be fractionated by discrete sizes. |
| Bromine and Chlorine | Silver 0.45 µm |
NIOSH Method 6011 |
| Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons | Silver | Reusable for economy |
| Silica (Crystalline) Zinc Oxide Cotton Dust Chromic Acid Mist Oil Mist Lead Sulfide Nuisance Dust Carbon Black |
PVC 0.8 and 5.0 µm |
Silica and contaminant free. NIOSH Methods 5000, 7505, 0500, 0600, 7601, 7502, 7500, 7602. |
| Cadmium
Cyanides Lead Quartz in Coal Dust Welding Brazing Fu |
MCE (Mixed Cellulose Esters) 0.8 µm |
NIOSH Methods 7048, 7904, 7082, 7602, 7200 |
| Trace Element | PETE/PCTE for aerosols 0.2 – 8.0 µm |
Low trace elements contamination in special aerosol membranes. |
| Quartz/Silica | Silver | NIOSH Methods S315, OML. |
| Zinc Oxide Fumes | Silver | NIOSH Method S316. |
Activation Methods
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|---|---|
| Activation Analysis | PCTE or PETE | Minimal absorption of beta radiation. Low membrane trace elements. |
| Adsorbable Organic Halide (AOX) | Silver PCTE for AOX 0.4 µm |
Low trace halides in membrane. |
| Densitometry | PCTE or PETE | Very low trace element background. |
| Emission Spectroscopy | PCTE or PETE | Silica and contaminant free. NIOSH Methods 5000, 7505, 0500, 0600, 7601, 7502, 7500, 7602. |
| Gravimetric Analysis | PCTE or PETE |
More accurate weight measurements. Matched weight filters not required. Tare weight not significantly affected by sample adsorption. Low, constant tare and ash weights. Non-hygroscopic. Tare weight not significantly changed by moisture adsorption. Reduced analysis time. |
| Microchemical Analysis | PETE or PCTE | Microchemical tests can be made on the membrane. Excellent chemical resistance. |
| Qualitative Analysis | PCTE | Surface capture of sample in one plane. Low trace elements in membrane. |
| Radioactive Monitoring and Analysis | PETE or PCTE | Accurate, consistent measurements of low energy alpha and beta emissions from sample.
Corrections for filter absorption eliminated. Best for fractionating radiocolloids. |
| X-ray Diffraction | Silver | Minimum of interfering spectra.
NIOSH Method S315. |
| X-ray Fluorescence | PETE or PCTE | Membrane can be used for the target.
Low trace elements-no characteristics radiation. Ideal for combined SEM/X-ray fluorescence analysis. |
Blood Analysis/ Filtration
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|---|---|
| Plasmapheresis | PCTE or PETE 0.6, 0.8 µm |
Low h emolysis due to smooth membrane surface. Low non-specific binding of proteins. |
| Red Blood Cell Deformability | PCTE for RBC deformability 4.7 µm |
Thinness and capillary pores of membrane allow near in-vivo measurements without hemolysis. |
| Red Blood Cell Filtration | PCTE 8.0 µm |
Low hemolysis due to smooth membrane surface. |
Cell / Tissue Culture
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|---|---|
| Studies of Cells | Cell culture PCTE or PETE 0.4 – 5.0 µm |
Near in-vivo conditions High diffusion rate. |
| Prefiltration of Tissue Culture Media | Glass Fiber Filter | High dirt loading capacity. Low cost. |
| Sterile Filtration of Tissue Culture Med | Autofil Laboratory Filtraton System 0.22 and 0.45 µm |
Excellent removal of microorganisms. Excellent throughput. |
Chemotaxis
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|---|---|
| Chemotaxis | PCTE for chemotaxis | Rapid cell migration. Reduced incubation times. Sterilization not necessary |
Cytology
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|---|---|
| Cytology | PCTE 3.0, 5.0, 8.0 µm |
All cells are in focus.
Membrane does not stain. Resistant to alcohols, stains and xylene. No cell loss, cellular distortion, nor cell lysing. No RBCs, proteins, or cellular debris in specimen. High strength allows less critical handling. Simpler microscopic analysis. High flow rates minimize cell damage. |
General Filtration
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|---|---|
| Prefiltration and Coarse Clarification | Glass Fiber Filter | High dirt loading capacity. Low cost. |
| Beverage Stabilization | MCE or Nylon
0.45 – 1.2 µm |
Absolute filtration. |
| Particulate and Bacterial Removal | PCTE, MCE, Nylon 0.1 – 5.0 µm |
Absolute removal. |
| Finish Clarification | MCE or Nylon 0.22 – 1.0 µm |
High dirt loading capacity. Absolute filtration. |
| Fuel Testing | MCE 0.45, 0.8 µm |
ASTM D2276 |
| Liposome Extrusion | PCTE 0.03 – 0.4 µm |
Consistency of vesicles. Faster than other methods. |
| Sterilizing Filtration | PCTE, MCE, Nylon
0.1 – 0.22 µm |
Absolute removal of bacteria. |
| Serum Filtration | MCE or Nylon
0.1 and 0.22 µm |
Absolute removal of microorganisms. Relatively high dirt loading capacity. |
Forensic
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|---|---|
| Gunshot Residue Test (GSR) | PETE 0.4 and 0.6 µm |
Surface capture in one plane. Excellent chemical resistance. |
| Microscopic Examination of Samples | PCTE or PETE 0.4 µm |
Surface capture in one plane of focus. |
HPLC Solutions Filtration
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|---|---|
| HPLC Solutions Filtration | Laminated PTFE, PVDF Discs and Syringe Filters 0.4 µm |
Excellent chemical resistance. High flow rates. |
Microorganism Studies and Analysis
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration | PCTE or PETE 3.0 – 5.0 µm |
Low non-specific binding of microorganisms |
| Fractionation | PCTE or PETE | Low non-specific binding of microorganisms |
| Cryptosporidium | PCTE | Surface capture. |
| Giardia lamblia | PCTE 5.0 µm |
Low background clutter. |
| Harvesting | PCTE or PETE 3.0 – 5.0 µm |
Surface capture of microorganisms. Ability to backwash for harvesting. |
| Observation | PCTE or PETE 0.2 – 0.8 µm |
Surface capture of microorganisms. Membrane is non-staining. |
| Direct Total Microbial Count |
PCTE 0.2 – 5.0 µm |
See Epifluorescent Microscopy under MICROSCOPY. |
| Dirofilaria Immitis | PCTE 5.0 µm |
Surface capture of microfilaria. Membrane does not stain. |
| Legionella | PCTE 0.2 µm |
Low non-specific binding. |
| Shistosoma Haematobium/strong> | PCTE 12.0 - 14.0 µm |
Surface capture. |
| Sterility Testing | MCE 0.22 and 0.45 µm |
21 CFR436 |
| Total and Fecal Coliform | MCE or PETE 0.45 and 0.7 µm |
Standard Methods/Water and Waste water, 17th Ed. |
| Yeasts and Molds | PCTE (black) 0.6 and 0.8 µm |
Surface capture of sample. Membrane does not stain. |
Microscopy
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Optical Observation | PCTE or PETE 0.2 and 0.4 µm |
Samples are collected in one plane, in focus. Superior morphologic resolution. Excellent chemical compatibility. Membrane does not stain. No clearing of membrane necessary. Simpler slide preparation. Uniform sample deposition. Minimum autofluorescence. Standard Methods/Water and Waste Water, 17th Edition. ASTM D4455-85, D4454-85, and F1095-88. |
| Electron Microscopy | PCTE 0.1 – 5.0 µm |
Samples are collected in one plane, in focus. Superior morphologic resolution. Excellent chemical compatibility. Membrane does not stain. No clearing of membrane necessary. Simpler slide preparation. Uniform sample deposition. Minimum autofluorescence. Standard Methods/Water and Waste Water, 17th Edition. ASTM D4455-85, D4454-85, and F1095-88. |
| Epifluorescent microscopy Bacteria Total Count and Observation. Yeast Total Count and Observation. Spore Observation |
Black PCTE 0.2 – 5.0 µm 0.6 and 0.8 µm 5.0 µm |
Samples are collected in one plane, in focus. Superior morphologic resolution. Excellent chemical compatibility. Membrane does not stain. No clearing of membrane necessary. Simpler slide preparation. Uniform sample deposition. Minimum autofluorescence. Standard Methods/Water and Waste Water, 17th Edition. ASTM D4455-85, D4454-85, and F1095-88. |
Nanowire & Nanotube Construction and/or Deposition
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|---|---|
| Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Contruction/Analysis |
PCTE | Uniform cylindrical pore size and shape. Membrane can be dissolved away with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, Methylene chloride, Chloroform. Strict pore size control of membrane allows for specific diameter of SWNT design. |
| Template for Nanomaterial Development for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) |
PCTE | Uniform cylindrical pore size and shape. Membrane can be dissolved away with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, Methylene chloride, Chloroform. Strict pore size control of membrane allows for specific diameter of SWNT design. |
Nucleic Auto Studies
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|---|---|
| Alkaline Elution | PCTE 0.8 – 2.0 µm |
Does not absorb DNA. DNA is retained intact. |
| Filtration of DNA Fragments | PCTE 0.2 µm |
Single strand passes through filter without breaking. |
Pharmaceuticals
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|---|---|
| Small Volumes | MicroPrep syringe filters | Convenient. |
| Prefiltration | Glass Fiber Filter | Inexpensive and high dirt loading capacity. |
| Sterilization | MCE, Nylon
0.1 – 0.22 µm |
Absolute retention. 21 CFR 210 and 211. |
Virus or Protein
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration/Separation/ Fractionation/Purification |
PCTE or PETE 0.01 – 0.1 µm |
Low non-specific binding of viruses and proteins. |
| Observation | PCTE or PETE 0.01 and 0.03 µm |
Direct observation of viruses by epifluorescent microscopy. |
Water Analysis / Filtration (See also Microorganism Studies and Analysis)
| Typical Applications | Type of Membrane | Benefits and References |
|---|---|---|
| Organic Halides (AOX) | Low chlorine PCTE 0.4 µm |
Undetectable halides from membrane in residual ash. |
| Nitrates, Nitrites Phosphates and Ammonia |
Low extractable PCTE 0.45 µm |
Does not leach out chemicals of interest from membrane. |
| Culturing of Microorganisms | MCE 0.22 – 0.7 µm |
Standard Methods/Water and Waste Water, 17th Edition. |
| Direct Count of Microorganisms | Black PCTE 0.4 – 5.0 µm |
See Epifluorescent Microscopy under MICROSCOPY. |
Sources:
Sterlitech Online Catalog 2021
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