TEM – Track Etched Membranes
Unique technology - Precise Features - Advanced Performance
n Polycarbonate / PC
n Polyethylene Terephthalate / PET
n Polyimide / PI
Track-etched membranes (TEM) are manufactured from either Polycarbonate (PC), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or Polyimide
(PI) with such precise and accurate pore size distribution that they are perfect for a varied range of applications from selective
bacterial determination in the food and beverage industry to selective particle removal for further assessment.
These membranes are manufactured using the latest production methods and following strict procedural methods in a clean
room atmosphere (as per ISO 5 and 7): A high purity polymeric film is in the first instance subjected to a tightly controlled high
energy beam of heavy particles which leave the film with a known density of holes. The film is then subjected to chemical
etching with the resultant film having cylindrical ‘holes’ of a uniform diameter. The whole process being controlled by state of
the art technology so the resultant product’s physical properties can be modified to be precisely the pore size and distribution
required by each application.
Key Features:
„„ Surface:
„„ Pore Size:
The standard version of all membranes shows a
The accurate pore size of 0.01 to 30µm ensures that
100% of the larger than nominal pore size liquid or
gas particles are captured on the surface and do not
penetrate the membrane facilitating easy capture and
harvesting.
translucent opacity and two shiny and smooth
surfaces. The optional transparent membrane surface
allows excellent visibility, which is ideal for analyzing
microorganisms and particles under the microscope
using transmitted light.
„„ Pore Density:
„„ Physical Properties:
Pore densities available range from 1x104 to 6x109/cm²
with a porosity of up to 30%.
Polycarbonate, Polyethylene terephthalate and
Polyimide membranes all have inherently high
tensile strengths and good solvent, acid and base
„„ Purity:
The extremely low level of extractable components
resistance - with PET having a slightly higher
and the inherent chemical inertness of the membrane
resistance to most organic solvents, amides,
materials result in a product with high biological
halogenated hydrocarbons and corrosive agents -
compatibility: non-cytotoxic and non-bactericidal
making PC, PET and PI membranes a reliable
behavior, with low binding of proteins (< 5µg/cm²)
alternative to PVDF and PTFE membranes.
and chemicals (like dyes) which guarantee low
The maximum operating temperatures of PC and
background levels after staining cells on the membrane.
PET being 140ºC and 150ºC respectively whereas
The polymeric base material of the TEM does not leach
the PI membrane has an additional advantage of
particles like some other filtration membranes.
being operational in temperatures up to 400ºC.
„„ Appearance:
The PC and PET polymers are also both available as
truly black membranes allowing the best possible
contrast and visibility for evaluating microorganisms
stained with fluorescent dyes under epifluorescence
microscopy.
Accurate pore size
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Typical Applications
The smooth membrane with glossy surfaces allows retained particles to be easily viewed under a microscope or electron
microscope. The optional highly transparent membrane, which is recommended in this case, is an ideal medium for a broad
range of analyses as they assure homogenous transillumination with high contrast.
„„ Environmental Analysis, Cell Biology,
Microbiology, Parasitology, Air Analysis
Our black PC and PET membranes are
made for rapid detection and enumeration
of particles and microorganisms in
epifluorescence microscopy, which requires a
pitch black background. They are treated using
a unique manufacturing process, ensuring a
membrane that although visually grey in colour
appear true black under the microscope with
zero auto-fluorescence that does not stain, for
high visibility and contrast, yielding to superior
results compared to results obtained with other
grey membranes.
„„ Microorganism Detection in Water, Food and Dairy Products, Wine and Beverages, Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics
Being manufactured from pure polymeric film gives exceptional chemical cleanliness. They are free of contaminants and have
a very low level of nonspecific protein binding and a low tare weight. These properties give a clear advantage for sampling, cell
enrichment, bacteria and microorganism capture prior to any further analysis.
„„ Microorganism capture, concentration and fractionation
ƒƒ Yeast
ƒƒ Mould
ƒƒ Legionella
ƒƒ Serratia
ƒƒ Shistosoma
ƒƒ Coliform bacteria etc.
„„ Healthcare
ƒƒ Biosensors: flow control and protection from potential
contaminants
ƒƒ Diagnostic assays: flow control of reagents, sample preparation and
blood separation
ƒƒ Sterility testing
ƒƒ Blood filtration and cell analysis: red blood cell (RBC) deformability, leukocyte removal, chemotaxis, rare cell detection
Bacteria collected on PC-membrane
„„ Water Analysis
ƒƒ Absorbable organic halides (AOX) in waste water, drinking water,
soil - even total organic halide (TOX).
ƒƒ Marine biology
ƒƒ Dissolved phosphates and nitrates
„„ Air Monitoring
Tumor cells after filtration
ƒƒ Airborne particle analysis: pollen, dust, asbestos
ƒƒ Trace elements
„„ Analytical Methods
ƒƒ Gravimetrical analysis
ƒƒ Qualitative analysis
ƒƒ HPLC and GC sample preparation
Plastic cylinder with a transparent and a black
PC membrane as customised design
„„ Cell Culture
ƒƒ Membranes of PC and PET are available with a special surface treatment for cell culture,
promoting an exceptional cellular growth and adhesion for a wide range of cell lines.
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Standard-Products of Polycarbonate (PC), Polyimide (PI) and Polyester (PET)
„„ Membrane diameter 25 mm and 47 mm „„ Translucent or deep black
„„ Pore sizes from 0,20 μm to 10 μm
„„ Both sides with shiny surface, hydrophilic
Pore size
[µm]
Thickness
PC, PI/PET [µm]
Air flow
[ml/min/cm²]
Water flow*
[ml/min/cm²]
Bubble point
Water [psi]
Pore density (± 15 %)
[Pores/cm²]
0.20
25 / 23
3,5*
10
58
5 × 108
0.40
25 / 23
8.5*
45
32
1,5 × 108
0.60
25 / 23
7.5*
45
17
4 × 107
0.80
24 / 22
16*
90
13
4 × 107
1.0
24 / 22
14*
150
10
2,2 × 107
3.0
22 / 20
18**
350
3
3 × 106
5.0
20 / 18
21**
800
2
4 × 105
8.0
17 / 15
24**
1000
1,3
1 × 105
10.0
15 / 13
30.5**
1150
1
1 × 105
*at 10 psi, **at 2.5 psi
Special Order Products of PC, PET and PI
„„ Pore sizes: 0.01 μm to 0.10 μm and 12 μm to 30 μm
„„ Rectangular cuts, rolls
„„ Membrane diameters: 13 mm, 76 mm, 90 mm, 142 mm and 293 mm
„„ Thinner layer or customised pore density
„„ Opacity: Transparent
„„ Hydrophobic or specially treated for cell culture
Please note: If you are intended to use the PC membrane for AOX, you will require a special controlled quality with 10 µm
thickness. PC, PET and PI membranes can be autoclaved or sterilized by using Ethylene Oxide (EtO) or Gamma irradiation.
Broad Range of Available Characteristics
Feature
Polycarbonate (PC)
Polyester (PET)
Polyimide (PI)
Thickness (µm)
6 – 50
9 – 50
7 – 25
Burst strength (psi)
> 10
> 10
>10
Weight (mg/cm²)
0.7 – 6.0
1.2 – 7.0
1.3 – 3.5
Specific gravity (g/cm³)
1.21
1.39
1.43
Heat sealing range (°C)
230 – 275
250 – 265
-
Max. service temp. (°C)
140
150
400
Ash weight (μg/cm²)
0.6
2.3
-
Porosity (%) according to pore size/density
0.1 – 20
0.1 – 20
0.1 – 20
Pore density (pores/cm²) depending on pore size 104 – 6 x 109
104 – 6 x 109
104 – 6 x 109
Pore size (µm)
0.01 -30
0.02 – 30
0.01 –10
Opacity
Translucent; optional:
Translucent; optional:
Translucent
transparent, black
transparent, black
Refractive index
1.58 – 1.63
1.55 – 1.66
Surface treatment
Hydrophilic; optional: hydro- Hydrophilic; optional: hydro- Hydrophilic; optional: hydro-
1.70
phobic or cell culture treated phobic or cell culture treated phobic or cell culture treated
Water absorption (% wt)
< 0.35
< 0.5
<1.0
Fibre release
No
No
No
Leachables
Negligible
Negligible
Negligible
Autoclavable (30 min, 120 °C)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Biological compatibility
Inert
Inert
Inert
Polymer structure
Amorphous
Stretched (crystalline)
Amorphous
Ordering information for PC Membranes
Part number
Pore size
Diameter
Quantity per box
PC02025NL
0.2 μm, black
25 mm
100
PC02025TL
0.2 μm, translucent
25 mm
100
PC02047NL
0.2 μm, black
47 mm
100
PC02047TL
0.2 μm, translucent
47 mm
100
PC04025TL
0.4 μm, translucent
25 mm
100
PC04025TLX
0.4 μm, translucent, for AOX
25 mm
100
PC04025NL
0.4 μm, black
25 mm
100
PC04047TL
0.4 μm, translucent
47 mm
100
PC04047NL
0.4 μm, black
47 mm
100
PC04047TLX
0.4 μm, translucent, for AOX
47 mm
100
PC30047TL
3.0 μm, translucent
47 mm
100
PC50047TL
5.0 μm, translucent
47 mm
100
PC80047TL
8.0 μm, translucent
47 mm
100
PC100047TL
10.0 μm, translucent
47 mm
100
Other membrane types like PET and PI, other pore sizes, diameters, design and pack sizes are available on request.
Please contact our sales office for information on order size and lead time.
Germany
United Kingdom
Hahnemühle FineArt GmbH
Hahnemühle FineArt UK
Hahnestrasse 5
Suite 6, St. Mary‘s Court
D-37586 Dassel
Carleton Forehoe
GB-Norwich,
Sales area
NR9 4AL
Germany, Austria, Suisse
and the Netherlands:
Phone: + 44 (0) 845 3300 129
Phone: + 49 5561 791 687
Fax: + 44 (0) 1603 757 915
[email protected]
Sales area
www.hahnemuehle.com
Rest-Europe and other Countries:
Phone: + 49 5561 791 688
Fax: + 49 55 61 79 13 77
[email protected]
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