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Mixed Cellulose Ester (MCE) Membrane Filters

The standard filter for most aerosol sampling in industrial hygiene applications, mixed cellulose ester (MCE or MEC) membrane filters are comprised of pure, biologically inert mixtures of cellulose acetate and cellulose nitrate. MCE membranes are naturally low in metal background and are compatible with dilute bases and acids and aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. MCE filters are hydrophilic and autoclavable.

Mixed Cellulose Ester (MCE) Membrane Filters
  • Meet NIOSH and OSHA method specifications for monitoring airborne metals, and other fibres
  • Biologically inert
  • Complete dissolution and clearing
  • Purity — low artifacts
  • Minimal interference in fibre counting
  • Standard digestion procedures
  • Gridded filters for fibre counting
  • Ideal for air monitoring, AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy analysis), ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma analysis) and transmitted light microscopy applications
  • NIOSH is using MCE membranes to study nanoparticle morphology and elemental makeup

Airborne Metals — NIOSH 7300, OSHA ID121, 125G

SKC MCE membranes meet NIOSH specifications for the collection and analysis of airborne metals. MCE is easily digested by dilute nitric acid which makes it ideal for atomic absorption spectroscopic analysis. Specifically Part number 225-19 is most commonly used with the IOM and the specifications match those referenced in a significant number of MDHS's.

Asbestos Fibres — NIOSH 7400, OSHA ID160

MCE pore structure collapses when exposed to acetone vapour and offers minimal interferences in fibre counting. This makes it highly suitable for the collection and analysis of asbestos and other fibres. See Preloaded MCE filters for asbestos.

Additional applications include monitoring for some pesticides and fluorides. See the Sampling Solutions for further applications.

MCE Filters
Diameter (mm) Pore Size (µm) Support Pad included    Notes Pack Size Part Number  
13 5.0 No Use with Mini-Sampler 100 225-8050  225-8050 Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters, diameter 13mm, Pore Size 5.0 µm 
25 0.45 No   100 225-1911  225-1911 Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters, diameter 25mm, Pore Size 0.45 µm 
25 0.8 No Use with IOM Sampler 100 225-1930  225-1930 Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters, diameter 25mm, Pore Size 0.8 µm 
25 0.8 Yes Use with IOM Sampler 100 225-19  225-19 Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters, diameter 25mm, Pore Size 0.8 µm 
25 0.8 No Black grid, principally used for asbestos sampling in UK 100 225-1913  225-1913 Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters, diameter 25mm, Pore Size 0.8 µm, used for asbestos sampling in the UK 
25 1.2 No Cellulose, ashless, recommended for use with the Button Sampler 100 225-1912  225-1912 Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters, diameter 25mm, Pore Size 1.2 µm 
25 1.2 No Black grid, low asbestos fibre background 100 225-1917  225-1917 Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters, diameter 25mm, Pore Size 1.2 µm, Black grid, low asbestos fibre background 
37 0.45 Yes   100 225-9  225-9 Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters, diameter 37mm, Pore Size 0.45 µm 
37 0.45 No   100 225-1914  225-1914 Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters, diameter 37mm, Pore Size 0.45 µm 
37 0.8 Yes   100 225-5  225-5 Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters, diameter 37mm, Pore Size 0.8 µm 
37 0.8 No   100 225-1939  225-1939 Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters, diameter 37mm, Pore Size 0.8 µm 
37 0.8 No Black grid 100 225-334  225-334 Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters, diameter 37mm, Pore Size 0.8 µm 
37 5.0 No   100 225-1938  225-1938 Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters, diameter 37mm, Pore Size 5.0 µm 
47 0.45 No   100 225-506  225-506 Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters, diameter 47mm, Pore Size 0.45 µm 
47 0.8 No   100 225-504  225-504 Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters, diameter 47mm, Pore Size 0.8 µm 

Filter supports available

Matched-weight MCE Filters for Gravimetric Determination

Matched-weight MCE filter pairs are certified as matched in weight to within 50 µg. Load the filters into a cassette; the top filter collects the contaminant, the bottom filter acts as a control. No preweighing or conditioning is required. After sampling, both filters are weighed and the difference between weights is the sample weight. Note these are not in preloaded cassettes.

Diameter (mm) Filter Specifications Pack Size Part Number  
37 MCE, 0.8 µm, matched-weight within 50 µg, filter pairs only.  50 Pairs 225-532  225-532 Matched-weight Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters for Gravimetric Determination, diameter 37mm 
47 MCE, 0.8 µm, matched-weight within 50 µg, filter pairs only.  50 Pairs 225-531  225-531 Matched-weight Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters for Gravimetric Determination, diameter 47mm 
Pre-loaded MCE Filters

All SKC preloaded filters include filter supports and are in SureSeal leak-free cassettes which require a SureSeal Cassette Opener.

Diameter (mm) Pore Size (µm) Description Pack Size Part Number  
25 0.8 3-piece clear plastic, banded 50 225-3100  225-3100 Pre-loaded Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters in 3-piece clear plastic cassette, diameter 25mm, Pore size 0.8 µm 
25 1.2 3-piece black conductive polypropylene (goblet style with extension cowl), banded 50 225-507  225-507 Pre-loaded Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters in 3-piece black conductive cassette , diameter 25mm, Pore size 1.2 µm  
37 0.45 3-piece black conductive, banded 50 225-1924  225-1924 Pre-loaded Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters in 3-piece black conductive cassette , diameter 37mm, Pore size 0.45 µm  
37 0.45 4-piece clear styrene, banded, BestChek® quality tested for low asbestos fibre background; Certificate of Analysis included 50 225-1925  225-1925 4-piece clear styrene, banded, BestChek® quality tested for low asbestos fibre background; Certificate of Analysis included 
37 0.8 2-piece clear styrene, banded 50 225-508  225-508 Pre-loaded Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters in 2-piece clear plastic cassette, diameter 37mm, Pore Size 0.8 µm 
37 0.8 3-piece clear styrene, banded 50 225-3-01  225-3-01 Pre-loaded Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters in 3-piece clear plastic cassette, diameter 37mm, Pore Size 0.8 µm 
37 0.8 3-piece clear styrene, not banded 50 225-3-01NB  225-3-01NB Pre-loaded Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filters in 3-piece clear plastic cassette, diameter 37mm, Pore Size 0.8 µm 
37 0.8 2-piece clear styrene; filter sealed to Solu-CAP cellulose acetate dome insert to eliminate sample loss for metal analysis 50 225-8517  no image 50x50
Cassette Opener, stainless steel, suitable for 25, 37, and 47-mm filter cassettes.
Required for all SureSeal Cassettes.
Each 225-13-5B  225-13-5B SureSeal Cassette Opener, for opening 25 or 37 mm cassettes 
Preloaded MCE Filters

225-3100

Preloaded MCE Filters

225-507

Preloaded MCE Filters

225-1924

Preloaded MCE Filters

225-1925

Preloaded MCE Filters

225-508

Preloaded MCE Filters

225-3-01/01NB

SureSeal Cassette Opener

225-13-5B

Nano-Neat MCE Filter Cassettes

Ultra-pure for sampling workplace chromium. Cassettes are tinted purple for easy identification. Each box contains a Certificate of Conformance. All SKC preloaded filters include supports and are in SureSeal leak-free cassettes that require a SureSeal Cassette Opener

Diameter (mm) Cassette Description Filter Specifications Pack Size Part Number  
25 2-piece purple styrene, banded 0.8 µm MCE, Nano-Neat 50 225-8402  225-8402 Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filter in 2-piece Nano-Neat purple Cassettes, diameter 25mm, Pore size 0.8µm 
25 3-piece purple styrene, banded 0.8 µm MCE, Nano-Neat 50 225-8404  225-8404 Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filter in 3-piece Nano-Neat purple Cassettes, diameter 25mm, Pore size 0.8µm 
37 2-piece purple styrene, banded 0.8 µm MCE, Nano-Neat 50 225-8408  225-8408 Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filter in 2-piece Nano-Neat purple Cassettes, diameter 37mm, Pore size 0.8µm 
37 3-piece purple styrene, banded 0.8 µm MCE, Nano-Neat 50 225-8410  225-8410 Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filter in 3-piece Nano-Neat purple Cassettes, diameter 37mm, Pore size 0.8µm 
SureSeal Cassette Opener, for opening 25 or 37 mm SureSeal cassettes 225-13-5A  225-13-5A SureSeal Cassette Opener, for opening 25 or 37 mm SureSeal cassettes 
Nano-Neat MCE

225-8402/8408

Nano-Neat MCE

225-8404/8410

Preloaded Matched-weight MCE Filter Cassettes

All SKC preloaded filters include supports and are in SureSeal leak-free cassettes that require a SureSeal Cassette Opener.

Diameter (mm) Cassette Description Filter Specifications Matched Weight Pack Size Part Number  
25 2-piece clear styrene, banded 0.8 µm MCE with support within 50 µg 50 225-525  225-525 Preloaded Matched-weight Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filter in 2-piece clear Cassettes, diameter 25mm, Pore size 0.8µm 
37 3-piece clear styrene, banded 0.8 µm MCE within 100 µg 50 225-3-02  225-3-02 Preloaded Matched-weight Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filter in 3-piece clear Cassettes, diameter 37mm, Pore size 0.8µm 
37 2-piece clear styrene, banded 0.8 µm MCE within 50 µg 50
12
225-502
225-527
 225-502 Preloaded Matched-weight Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filter in 2-piece clear Cassettes, diameter 37mm, Pore size 0.8µm 
37 3-piece clear styrene, banded 0.8 µm MCE within 50 µg 50
12
225-503
225-528
 225-503 Preloaded Matched-weight Mixed Cellulose Membrane (MCE) Filter in 3-piece clear Cassettes, diameter 37mm, Pore size 0.8µm 
SureSeal Cassette Opener, for opening 25 or 37 mm SureSeal cassettes Each 225-13-5B  225-13-5B SureSeal Cassette Opener, for opening 25 or 37 mm cassettes 
Preloaded MCE Filters

225-525

Preloaded MCE Filters

225-3-02

Preloaded MCE Filters

225-502/527

Preloaded MCE Filters

225-503/528

SureSeal Cassette Open

225-13-5B