Membrane Filter

MCE Membrane Filter

MCE membrane filters are designed for high-purity sample preparation in analytical and research laboratories. Made from mixed cellulose ester, they offer high porosity, consistent pore structure, and high protein binding for reliable filtration of aqueous and solvent-based samples. The smooth surface and uniform thickness reduce membrane distortion during filtration, while the high internal surface area enhances adsorption capacity. Available in multiple formats and pore sizes, they support routine HPLC sample clean-up, sterile filtration, and particle analysis across pharmaceutical, environmental, and life-science applications.

High porosity and high throughput enable fast filtration of aqueous and solvent samples without clogging
Uniform pore structure and consistent thickness ensure reproducible results across batches
Smooth surface and high internal surface area improve particle detection and adsorption capacity
High protein binding supports recovery of biomolecules in bioassays and protein analysis

Key Benefits

What This Product Gives You

High porosity and high throughput enable fast filtration of aqueous and solvent samples without clogging
Uniform pore structure and consistent thickness ensure reproducible results across batches
Smooth surface and high internal surface area improve particle detection and adsorption capacity
High protein binding supports recovery of biomolecules in bioassays and protein analysis
Available in non-sterile and sterile options, including grid and pad variants for microbiological and particle analysis
White, black, grid, and plain surface options improve visual contrast for particle detection and reduce eye fatigue

Membrane material: Mixed Cellulose Ester (MCE) composed of cellulose acetate and cellulose nitrate
Hydrophilic wettability suitable for aqueous and mixed solvent applications
Available in disc, roll, sheet, strip, and customizable formats
Pore sizes from 0.1 to 8.0 micron, covering fine particulate removal to coarse clarification
Water flow rate at 25°C and 0.07 MPa: 7 to 480 ml/min/cm² depending on pore size
Bubble point ≥0.03 MPa at 8.0 micron, indicating structural integrity across all pore sizes
Maximum operating pressure of 4.2 bar at 23°C for disc and roll formats
pH range: 4 to 8, suitable for most aqueous and buffer applications
Sterilization compatible with autoclave, ethylene oxide, E-beam, and gamma irradiation
Available in non-sterile and sterile configurations with white, black, grid, and pad variants

Where It Is Used

Applications And Buyers

Application Scenarios

Filtering aqueous mobile phases and buffer solutions before HPLC injection
Sterile filtration of cell culture media and biological buffers in life-science labs
Clarifying environmental water samples for particle count and analysis
Preparing samples for microbiological testing in pharmaceutical and food safety labs
Filtering fluid from tanks and pipelines during QC and process monitoring

Who It Is For

Pharmaceutical and biotech laboratories requiring high-purity filtration for assay and QC
Environmental testing labs handling water, soil, and air samples with variable particulate loads
Food and beverage labs performing residue and microbial analysis on complex matrices
Research labs conducting bioassays and protein recovery where binding efficiency matters
Laboratory distributors seeking a versatile membrane filter with multiple formats and sterilization options

Problems It Solves

Low throughput in filters with inconsistent pore size or rough surface leading to slow filtration
Poor particle detection due to low contrast in membrane surface, increasing analyst fatigue
Inconsistent results from membranes with variable thickness or non-uniform pore structure
Sample loss in protein-based assays due to low protein binding capacity
Inadequate filtration of viscous or particle-laden samples due to low porosity or weak structural integrity
Difficulty in tracking particle distribution without grid or pad markers on the membrane

Data

Specifications

Membrane Material	Mixed Cellulose Ester (MCE)
Wettability	Hydrophilic
Membrane Format	Disc, Roll, Sheet, Strip, Customizable
Pore Size	0.1, 0.22, 0.45, 0.8, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, 8.0 micron
Water Flow Rate	≥7 ml/min/cm² (0.1 μm) to ≥480 ml/min/cm² (8.0 μm) at 25°C, p=0.07 MPa
Bubble Point	≥0.47 MPa (0.1 μm) to ≥0.03 MPa (8.0 μm)
Max Operating Pressure	4.2 bar at 23°C
pH Range	4 to 8
Sterilization Compatibility	Autoclave, Ethylene Oxide, E-beam, Gamma irradiation
Membrane Thickness	80±10 μm (disc), 100±10 μm (roll)

Materials

Mixed Cellulose Ester (MCE) membrane composed of cellulose acetate and cellulose nitrate
Filter surface: White, Black, Grid, Plain, or with adsorbent pad
Sterile variants include gamma-irradiated or ethylene oxide sterilized membranes

Customization Options

Custom membrane formats including strips, sheets, and rolls
Custom pore sizes and diameters available upon request
Custom surface finishes: white, black, grid, or pad options
Private-label packaging and printing for OEM and distributor customers
OEM contract manufacturing and membrane die-cutting services available

How It Is Made

Manufacturing And Quality Control

Manufacturing Process

Membrane die-cutting from MCE sheet or roll stock
Precision cutting to specified diameter and format (disc, strip, etc.)
Sterilization via gamma irradiation, ethylene oxide, or autoclave as per order
Assembly of grid or pad variants if required
Packing in accordance with order specifications: 200, 100, 50, or 25 pieces per pack

Quality Control

Membrane thickness verified within ±10 μm tolerance
Pore size and bubble point tested for consistency across batches
Wettability and flow rate checked at 25°C and 0.07 MPa pressure
Sterility confirmed for sterile-grade filters using appropriate validation methods
Visual inspection for surface defects, color uniformity, and grid alignment

Comparison

Compared With The Alternatives

Versus Pure Nitrocellulose (NC) Membrane

MCE has a smoother, more uniform surface than pure NC, reducing membrane distortion and improving particle detection

Versus Glass Fiber Filters

MCE has higher porosity and better particle retention than glass fiber for fine particulates, but glass fiber handles higher pressure and temperature

Use Guide

How To Use It

Select pore size based on particle size: 0.22 μm for sterile filtration, 0.45 μm for routine HPLC clean-up, 1.0 μm or higher for coarse clarification
Use hydrophilic MCE for aqueous and mixed solvent samples; avoid use outside pH 4-8
For particle analysis, choose grid or pad variants to facilitate counting and location tracking
Pre-wet the membrane with water or compatible solvent before filtration to ensure even wetting
Apply consistent pressure during filtration; do not exceed 4.2 bar at 23°C to avoid membrane damage
Discard the first few drops if the method is sensitive to wetting solvent or extractables

Photos

Product Gallery

Also In This Category

Related Industries And Guides

Membrane Filter Material Selection Guide

FAQ

Questions Buyers Ask

What is the difference between MCE and pure nitrocellulose membranes?

MCE has a smoother, more uniform surface than pure nitrocellulose, reducing distortion and improving particle detection and reproducibility.

Can MCE filters be used for sterile filtration?

Yes. Sterile versions are available and compatible with autoclave, ethylene oxide, E-beam, and gamma irradiation sterilization.

What pore sizes are available?

Pore sizes range from 0.1 to 8.0 micron, including 0.1, 0.22, 0.45, 0.8, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, and 8.0 micron.

What is the maximum operating pressure?

Maximum operating pressure is 4.2 bar at 23°C for disc and roll formats.

Are the filters compatible with HPLC mobile phases?

Yes. MCE is hydrophilic and stable in pH 4-8, making it suitable for most aqueous and mixed solvent mobile phases used in HPLC.

Can I get custom formats or sizes?

Yes. Custom formats including strips, sheets, and rolls, and custom diameters are available through the OEM division.