PCTE (Polycarbonate) Membranes
Polycarbonate track etch (PCTE) membrane disc filters exhibit superior strength, low protein binding, low extractables, controlled pores, and a smooth surface, allowing for rapid cell migration and microbial growth for reduced incubation times.
We provide the filters and technical support to help you take your breakthrough product from an idea to a prototype, to commercial scale.
Hydrophilic Polycarbonate Membranes
Hydrophilic PCTE Membrane Filter Applications
0.01 – 0.1 micron
Most liposome extrusions (range 0.03 – 0.4 µm)
Asbestos (water)
Bacteria removal: Acholeplasma laidwaii
Removal of colloidal material from water
Mycoplasma removal
Tissue culture with collagen: skin graft
Virus filtration
0.2 – 1.0 micron
0.2 µm: General sterile filtration, sterile filtration of corrosive fluids, immunology, implant tissue and cell studies, air venting, aqueous fluids, air and gas sterilizing. FITC stain technique, Legionella pneumophilia – air conditioning water, DNA fragments filtration, phytoplankton, bacteria removal, deionized water-clinical laboratory Type 1 and for semiconductor industry using SEM analysis, and EPA leachate/toxicity testing.
0.4 µm: Sterility testing, pulp, paper-adsorbable organic halides-water (AOX), air (asbestos fibers, silica particles pollen), dewatering, purification of cellular suspensions and wine stabilization, immunology – tissue and cell stuides, forensic analysis (SEM), microscopic examination – samples, Water-pollution (Escherichia coli), trace metal analysis (USGS method), nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, and ammonia (low extractable), particle analysis of corrosive fluids, bacteria – Serratia marcescens, and cell culture.
0.6 µm: Particle analysis (corrosive fluids), analysis of wine, milk, cells and plasmapheresis.
Latex Agglutination Assays
0.8u µm: General air analysis (asbestos, Cadmium), sugar molds (food), gravimetric analysis, tissue culture partitioning, wine stabilization, alkaline elution (DNA).
1.0 µm: Serum pre-filtration, beer stabilization, ultracleaning (corrosive fluids), microfiltration (alcohol solutions), Giardia lamblia (removes most of them), red blood cells (RBC)
0.2-0.8 µm): EPA leachate/toxicity testing.
(0.4-3.0 µm): Cell culture
(0.6-1.0 µm): Plasmapheresis
2.0 – 30.0 micron
2.0 µm: Chemotaxis, alkaline elution (DNA), red blood cells (RBC’s)
3.0 µm: General microfiltration and clarification, cytological evaluation (cerebrospinal fluid), chemotaxis, red blood cells (RBC), microfiltration of corrosive fluids
5.0 µm: Exfoliate cytology, chemotaxis, gravimetric analysis, Gairdia lamblia (3-5um) observation, canine heartworm microfilariae (dirofilaria immitis), erythrocyte deformability (4.7 µm), gross particulate analysis of corrosive fluids (oil, diesel, gas filtration)
8.0 µm: Cytology
12.0um: Starch, Schistosoma haematobium
(0.4-3.0 µm): Cell culture
(8.0-14.0 µm): Larger bacteria, general clarification and pre-filtration of corrosive fluids, most acides, some ester photoresists, reagent grade chemicals and alcohol solutions
(10.0-12.0 µm): Human melonoma invasion study (cancer-tumors), leukocytes, metastasis tumor cell
(0.01-20 µm): Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
offers two versions of the pigmented PCTE membrane filters to cover the broadest possible range of potential applications: Gray and Black.
Gray Membranes
Fluorescence Microscopy
Conventional Optical Microscopy
Black Membranes
Fluorescence Microscopy
Automated Fluorescence Microscopy
Optical Microscopy Studies of light colored particles/microorganisms
PCTE Membrane Filter Specifications
General
| USP Class VI Testing | Passed |
| BSA Protein Binding | ~5 μg/cm2 |
| Sterilization | Gamma Irradiation, EtO |
| Max. Operating Temp | 140 °C (284 °F) |
| Sealing Compatibility | Ultrasonic, Heat, Radio Frequency, and Insert Molding |
| pH Range | 4-8 |
| Burst Strength | 0.7 bar (10 psi) |
Performance by Pore Sizea
| Pore Densityb (pores/cm2) | Open Area (%) | Nom. Weight (mg/cm2) | Nom. Thicknessc (µm) | Bubble Pointd (psi) | Water Flow Ratee (mL/min/cm2 | Air Flow Ratef (L/min/cm2) | |
| 0.01 µm | 6 x 108 | <1 | 0.7 | 6 | NA | 0.1 | 0.0075 |
| 0.03 µm | 6 x 108 | <1 | 0.7 | 6 | NA | 0.2 | 0.075 |
| 0.05 µm | 6 x 108 | 1 | 0.7 | 6 | 50 | 0.4 | 0.37 |
| 0.08 µm | 4 x 108 | 2 | 0.7 | 6 | 38 | 0.6 | 0.75 |
| 0.1 µm | 4 x 108 | 3 | 0.7 | 6 | 30 | 2.5 | 1.5 |
| 0.2 µm | 3 x 108 | 10 | 1.1 | 10 | 20 | 10 | 3 |
| 0.4 µm | 1.5 x 108 | 19 | NA | 24 | 12 | 45 | 7.5 |
| 0.6 µm | 3 x 107 | 8 | 1.0 | 9 | 9 | 60 | 7.5 |
| 0.8 µm | 3 x 107 | 15 | 0.9 | 9 | 7 | 90 | 19 |
| 1.0 µm | 2 x 107 | 16 | 1.1 | 11 | 6 | 130 | 20 |
| 2.0 µm | 2 x 106 | 6 | 1.1 | 10 | 3 | 300 | 16.5 |
| 3.0 µm | 2 x 106 | 14 | 0.9 | 9 | 2 | 440 | 37.5 |
| 5.0 µm | 4 x 105 | 8 | 1.1 | 10 | 1.2 | 700 | 30 |
| 8.0 µm | 1 x 105 | 5 | 0.8 | 7 | 0.7 | 1000 | 30 |
| 10.0 µm | 1 x 105 | 8 | 1.1 | 10 | 0.5 | 1150 | 34.5 |
| 12.0 µm | 1 x 105 | 11.3 | – | 14 | – | – | – |
| 14.0 µm | 5 x 104 | 8 | 0.6 | 6 | 0.2 | 1400 | 63.5 |
| 20.0 µm | 5 x 104 | 13 | – | 32 | – | – | – |
| 25.0 µm | 1 x 104 | 5 | NA | 25 | <1 | >1000 | 33 |
| 30.0 µm | 1 x 104 | 7 | NA | 30 | <1 | >1500 | 50 |
| indicative values L/min/cm2 @0.7bar | indicative values ml/min/cm2 @0.7bar | |||||
| Pore Size (µm) | Thickness (µm) | Porosity (%) | Bubble Point | Nominal Pore Density cm2 | Airflow rate | Water flow rate |
| 0.2µm | 25µm | 15.70% | >3.5bar | 5.00 E+08 | >2 | >10 |
| 0.4µm | 25µm | 18.80% | >2 bar | 1.50 E+08 | >4 | >30 |
| 0.8µm | 24µm | 20.10% | >0.6 bar | 4.00 E+07 | >8 | >80 |
| 1.0µm | 24µm | 2.20 E+07 | ||||
| 5.0µm | 21µm | 7.90% | 4.00 E+05 | >25 | >500 | |
| 8.0µm | 18µm | 1.00 E+05 |
*Notes:
Tolerance + 0%, -20%
Tolerance +/-15%
Tolerance +/-10%
Measured using isopropanol (IPA)
Initial flow rates using prefiltered water at 10 psi (0.7 kg/cm2)
Initial flow rates using prefiltered air at 10 psi (0.7 kg/cm2) for pore sizes <= 2 µm and 5 psi (0.35 kg/cm2) for pore sizes >= 3 µm
Hydrophobic Polycarbonate Membranes
Hydrophobic PCTE Membrane Filter Applications
Precisely controlled cylindrical pores for maximum absolute particulate capture
Transparent, smooth flat surface for microscopic work
Lowest, non-specific binding membrane
Narrow pore size distribution
No sloughing or particle shedding, one integral plastic film
Negligible adsorption or absorption
Low extractables
PCTE Membrane Filter Specifications
General
| USP Class VI Testing | Passed |
| BSA Protein Binding | ~5 μg/cm2 |
| Sterilization | Gamma Irradiation, EtO |
| Max. Operating Temp | 140 °C (284 °F) |
| Sealing Compatibility | Ultrasonic, Heat, Radio Frequency, and Insert Molding |
| pH Range | 4-8 |
| Burst Strength | 0.7 bar (10 psi) |
Performance by Pore Sizea
| Pore Densityb (pores/cm2) | Open Area (%) | Nom. Weight (mg/cm2) | Nom. Thicknessc (µm) | Bubble Pointd (psi) | Water Flow Ratee (mL/min/cm2 | Air Flow Ratef (L/min/cm2) | |
| 0.1 µm | 4 x 108 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 6 | 30 | 2.5 | 1.5 |
| 0.2 µm | 3 x 108 | 9.4 | 1.1 | 10 | 20 | 10 | 3 |
| 0.4 µm | 1 x 108 | 12.6 | 1.0 | 10 | 12 | 33 | 7.5 |
| 1.0 µm | 2 x 107 | 15.7 | 1.1 | 11 | 6 | 130 | 20 |
| 3.0 µm | 2 x 106 | 14.1 | 0.9 | 9 | 2 | 440 | 37.5 |
| 5.0 µm | 4 x 105 | 7.9 | 1.1 | 10 | 1.2 | 700 | 30 |
| 8.0 µm | 1 x 105 | 5.0 | 0.8 | 7 | 0.7 | 1000 | 30 |
| 10.0 µm | 1 x 105 | 7.9 | 1.1 | 10 | 0.5 | 1150 | 34.5 |
*Notes:
Tolerance + 0%, -20%
Tolerance +/-15%
Tolerance +/-10%
Measured using isopropanol (IPA)
Initial flow rates using prefiltered water at 10 psi (0.7 kg/cm2)
Initial flow rates using prefiltered air at 10 psi (0.7 kg/cm2) for pore sizes <= 2 µm and 5 psi (0.35 kg/cm2) for pore sizes >= 3 µm
Dyed Polycarbonate Membranes
Applications
Gray Membranes
Fluorescence Microscopy
Conventional Optical Microscopy
Black Membranes
Fluorescence Microscopy
Automated Fluorescence Microscopy
Optical Microscopy Studies of light colored particles/microorganisms
Specifications
| USP Class VI Testing | Passed |
| BSA Protein Binding | ~5 μg/cm2 |
| Sterilization | Gamma Irradiation, EtO |
| Max. Operating Temp | 140 °C (284 °F) |
| Sealing Compatibility | Ultrasonic, Heat, Radio Frequency, and Insert Molding |
| pH Range | 4-8 |
| Burst Strength | 0.7 bar (10 psi) |
Performance by Pore Size
| Pore Size (µm) | Thickness (µm) | Porosity (%) | Bubble Point | Nominal Pore Density cm2 | Water Flow Ratee indicative values ml/min/cm2 @0.7bar | Air Flow Ratef indicative values L/min/cm2 @0.7bar |
| 0.2 µm | 25 (µm) | 15.70% | >3.5 bar | 5.00 E+08 | >10 | >2 |
| 0.4 µm | 25 (µm) | 18.80% | >2 bar | 1.50 E+08 | >30 | >4 |
| 0.8 µm | 24 (µm) | 20.10% | >0.6 bar | 4.00 E+07 | >80 | >8 |
| 1.0 µm | 24 (µm) | 2.20 E+07 | ||||
| 5.0 µm | 21 (µm) | 7.90% | 4.00 E+05 | >500 | >25 | |
| 8.0 µm | 18 (µm) | 1.00 E+05 |
Gold-Coated Polycarbonate Membranes
Asbestos testing
SER-s based detection for pathogen concentration
Sample Preparation
Low protein binding
Smooth flat surface for good visibility of particles