Hydrophobic Polycarbonate (PCTE) Filter Membranes
These extremely strong, hydrophobic* (PVP-free), polycarbonate track etch (PCTE) membrane filters minimize extractables and are our lowest non-specific binding membranes; these properties make them ideal for chemotaxis, small-particle capture & analysis, and venting applications.
Our hydrophobic PCTE membranes are produced from a two-step, quality-assured, proprietary manufacturing process delivering consistent products with pore uniformity, predictable flow rates, and trusted particle retention levels. A single microporous polycarbonate film is used to produce the membranes with a thin translucent structure and glass-like surface characteristic that enable superior particle visibility and easy microscopic analysis. Their pores are absolute-rated, precisely cylindrical, and narrowly distributed, allowing their surfaces to capture 100% of particles larger than the stated pore size. These membranes are also available in a hydrophilic, PVP-coated, option for applications involving aqueous and alcoholic samples.
*Hydrophobic PCTE has a nominal water-contact angle of 78-88° as tested, which tends to be neutral on a hydrophilic/hydrophobic scale; most hydrophilic contact angles are less than 50°, and hydrophobic contact angles are greater than 120°. Hydrophilic PCTE is treated with PVP to greatly improve wettability, making them better suited for use in aqueous environments. Hydrophobic PCTE filters here are denoted to better identify their performance differences from those treated with PVP.
Applications
Technical Specifications
*Notes:
a. Tolerance + 0%, -20%
b. Tolerance +/-15%
c. Tolerance +/-10%
d. Measured using isopropanol (IPA)
e. Initial flow rates using prefiltered water at 10 psi (0.7 kg/cm2)
f. 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
Our hydrophobic PCTE membranes are produced from a two-step, quality-assured, proprietary manufacturing process delivering consistent products with pore uniformity, predictable flow rates, and trusted particle retention levels. A single microporous polycarbonate film is used to produce the membranes with a thin translucent structure and glass-like surface characteristic that enable superior particle visibility and easy microscopic analysis. Their pores are absolute-rated, precisely cylindrical, and narrowly distributed, allowing their surfaces to capture 100% of particles larger than the stated pore size. These membranes are also available in a hydrophilic, PVP-coated, option for applications involving aqueous and alcoholic samples.
*Hydrophobic PCTE has a nominal water-contact angle of 78-88° as tested, which tends to be neutral on a hydrophilic/hydrophobic scale; most hydrophilic contact angles are less than 50°, and hydrophobic contact angles are greater than 120°. Hydrophilic PCTE is treated with PVP to greatly improve wettability, making them better suited for use in aqueous environments. Hydrophobic PCTE filters here are denoted to better identify their performance differences from those treated with PVP.
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
Technical 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 | 4/08/2020 |
| Burst Strength | 0.7 bar (10 psi) |
| Pore Size(a) |
Pore Density (b) (pores/cm2) |
Open Area (%) |
Nom. Weight (mg/cm2) |
Nom. Thickness (c) (µm) |
Bubble Point (d) (psi) |
Water Flow Rate (e) (mL/min/cm2) |
Air Flow Rate (f) (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 | 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 | 0.8 | 7 | 0.7 | 1000 | 30 |
| 10.0 µm | 1 x 105 | 7.9 | 1.1 | 10 | 0.5 | 1150 | 34.5 |
*Notes:
a. Tolerance + 0%, -20%
b. Tolerance +/-15%
c. Tolerance +/-10%
d. Measured using isopropanol (IPA)
e. Initial flow rates using prefiltered water at 10 psi (0.7 kg/cm2)
f. 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
| Catalogue No. | Description | Packing size |
| PCTF00147100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, PVP-Free, 0.01 Micron, 47mm | 100 |
| PCTF0113100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 0.1 Micron, 13mm | 100 |
| PCTF0125100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 0.1 Micron, 25mm | 100 |
| PCTF0125100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 0.1 Micron, 47mm | 100 |
| PCTF0120030-30 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 0.1 Micron, 200x250mm | 30 |
| PCTF0225100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 0.2 Micron, 25mm | 100 |
| PCTF0247100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 0.2 Micron, 47mm | 100 |
| PCTF029030-30 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 0.2 Micron 90mm | 30 |
| PCTF0220030-30 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, 0.2 Micron, Hydrophobic, 200x250mm | 30 |
| PCTF0425100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 0.4 Micron, 25mm | 100 |
| PCTF0447100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 0.4 Micron, 47mm | 100 |
| PCTF0420030-30 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 0.4 Micron, 200x250mm | 30 |
| PCTF1013100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 1.0 Micron, 13mm | 100 |
| PCTF1025100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 1.0 Micron, 25mm | 100 |
| PCTF1047100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 1.0 Micron, 47mm | 100 |
| PCTF1020030-30 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 1.0 Micron, 200x250mm | 30 |
| PCTF3013100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 3.0 Micron, 13mm | 100 |
| PCTF3025100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 3.0 Micron, 25mm | 100 |
| 1270010-20 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, PVP-Free, 3.0 Micron, 293mm | 20 |
| PCTF30258050-50 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 3.0 Micron, 25x80mm | 50 |
| PCTF3020030-30 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 3.0 Micron, 200x250mm | 30 |
| PCTF5013100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 5.0 Micron, 13mm | 100 |
| PCTF5025100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 5.0 Micron, 25mm | 100 |
| PCTF5047100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 5.0 Micron, 47mm | 100 |
| PCTF509030-30 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 5.0 Micron, 90mm | 30 |
| PCTF50344150-50 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 5.0 Micron, 34 X 41mm | 50 |
| PCTF50258050-50 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 5.0 Micron, 25x80mm | 50 |
| PCTF5020030-30 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 5.0 Micron, 200x250mm | 30 |
| PCTF8013100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 8.0 Micron, 13mm | 100 |
| PCTF8025100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 8.0 Micron, 25mm | 100 |
| PCTF8047100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 8.0 Micron, 47mm | 100 |
| PCTF80258050-50 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 8.0 Micron, 25x80mm | 50 |
| PCTF8020030-30 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, PVP-Free, 8.0 Micron, 200 X 250mm | 30 |
| PCTF10013100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 10.0 Micron, 13mm | 100 |
| PCTF10025100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 10.0 Micron, 25mm | 100 |
| PCTF10047100-100 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, Hydrophobic, 10.0 Micron, 47mm | 100 |
| PCTF10020030-30 | Polycarbonate (PCTE) Membrane Filters, 10.0 Micron, 200x250mm | 30 |
