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Filters and Cassettes Selection Guide

Filters are one of the types of sampling media used in air sampling, onto/into which the contaminant is collected. Other sampling media includes the sorbent in sorbent tubes and gas sample bags.

Please also check out the Solvent Compatability Guide.

Material Common Pore Sizes Main Properties Applications
Mixed Cellulose Ester (MCE) Membranes 0.45 μm
0.8 μm
1.2 μm
5.0 μm
  • Hydrophilic
  • Ready Soluble for atomic absorption analysis
  • Readily rendered transparent for light transmitted microscopy
  • Dissolve and clear easily
  • Metal Dust Analysis
  • Asbestos
  • Man-made fibres
GLA 5000 PVC Membrane Filters
Polyvinyl Chloride (Pure Homopolymer)		 0.2 μm
0.5 μm
0.8 μm
2.0 μm
5.0 μm
  • Hydrophilic
  • Non-oxidising surface
  • Silica free
  • Low tare weight for gravimetric analysis
  • Low ash
  • Gravimetric analysis
  • Hexavalent chromium
PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) Membrane Filters 0.5 μm
1.0 μm
2.0 μm
5.0 μm
  • Hydrophilic
  • Inert to solvents, acids and bases
  • Autoclavable
  • Alkaline dusts
  • Polynuclear aromatics
  • Isocyanates
  • Pesticides
Polycarbonate Membrane Filters 0.4 μm
0.8 μm
  • Microscopically smooth surface
  • Extremely thin (10-20 μm) and transparent
  • Non-Autoclavable
  • Scanning electron microscopy
  • Asbestos fibres
Silver Membrane Filters 0.45 μm
0.8 μm
  • Wide solvent compatibility
  • Higher temperature tolerance
  • Autoclavable
  • Uniform porosity and thickness
  • Bromine
  • Asbestos by TEM
  • Silica by x-ray diffraction
Glass Fibre Depth Filters Liquid
Nominal
Rating 1 μm
  • Partially hydrophobic
  • Higher temperature tolerance
  • High particulate retention
  • Pesticides
  • Coarse gravimetric
  • Isocyanates
  • Ethylene glycol
Quartz Depth Filters Liquid
Nominal
Rating 1.2 μm
  • Same as glass fibre
  • Low level metals content
  • Autoclavable
  • Gases
  • Aerosols
  • PM10
  • Diesel particulates
Cellulose Depth Filters Nominal
  • Autoclavable
  • Uniform Strength
  • Ashless (Type 40)
  • AA
  • HPLC
Gelatin Filters Nominal
  • Maintain viability of microorganisms
  • Microorganisms
DPM Cassettes Nominal
  • Tamper evident seal
  • Single use
  • Diesel Particulates
BestChek Asbestos Cassettes 0.45 μm
0.8 μm
1.2 μm
  • Preloaded including cellulose supports
  • With cowl
  • Banded
  • Asbestos
Coated (Treated) Filters Various
  • Ready to use
  • Isocyanates
  • Gases and vapours