PES filters are one of the most durable filter materials available and as such are used for a variety of applications. When considering if a PES filter is right for your filtration needs it is important to understand the specific considerations that must be addressed to ensure that your PES filter is accurate, durable, and affordable.
What to Know About PES Filters
PES aka polyethersulfone (systematic name poly(oxy-1,4-phenylsulfonyl-1,4-phenylene)) is a high-performance thermoplastic that is well known for its ability to maintain its unique properties between -148℉ and 302℉.
Additionally, PES filters maintain a high dimensional stability. When presented with boiling water or air and steam at 302℉, size change was less than 0.1%. PES is highly resistant to mineral acids, alkali, and electrolytes in pH that ranges from 2 -13.
Despite degrading over time, PES filters are additionally resistant to oxidizing agents as well as hydrocarbon oils, and surfactants, and are stable in aqueous acids, and bases in non-polar solvents.
Where to Use PES Filters
Because of their capability to provide accurate results between a wide range of temperatures, PES filters are particularly suited for filtration of extreme liquids, gas, and air. Its durability is one of its strongest benefits and as such, PES filters are particularly well-suited for use with automated handling or other aggressive instruments.
Additionally, thanks to their uniform porosity, PES filters are well suited to provide drug filtration to maximize recovery of IV and chemotherapy drugs.
Benefits of PES Filtration
- Hydrophilic
- Low Protein Adsorption
- Heat Resistance
- Durable
- High Dirt Loading Capacity
Hydrophilic PES Filters
PES is naturally hydrophilic resulting in a membrane that wets out quickly and is adept at fast filtration with ideal flow rates and strong throughputs. Allowing you to filter quickly and accurately.
Low Protein Adsorption
Because PES filters do not absorb protein, its filtration is a useful mechanism of PES FIlters. This can be especially useful within medical applications such as when filtering blood, enzyme solutions, tissue culture media and serums, and other applications where maximum protein recovery is prioritized.
Heat Resistance
Sulfonyl groups within PES are able to attract electrons thus creating an electron deficiency that results in the polymer opposing further electron loss. This means that PES shows strong oxidation resistance in the face of high temperatures.
Durable
Because of the rigid configuration of polymer chains (a byproduct of mesomerism), PES is able to absorb higher amounts of energy, heat, and radiation while the ether bond creates improved flexibility and durability. Thus, PES is particularly suitable for applications that require the use of vigorous machines and motions.
High Dirt Loading Capacity
PES filters have an extremely asymmetrical pore structure which allows increased dirt loading capacity. Thereby increasing flow rates and performance of the filter.
PES Membrane Filters vs PES Syringe Filters
PES membrane filters are used to remove coarse particulate from the sample stream. They do this by using physical pores in a polymer mesh, selectively passing particles of a certain size while rejecting smaller particles. This technology is useful when there are large amounts of particulate material in the sample stream, where syringe filters cannot remove enough material due to their small pore sizes.
PES syringe filters are used for filtration of samples in medical, analytical, molecular biology and biological system applications. The most prominent characteristic of PES syringe filters is their “soft” mechanical properties which are maintained even after repeated use.
PES Membrane Roll Stock
PES Membrane roll stock is a thin and flexible sheet of PES that can be used in a variety of applications. They are naturally hydrophilic and are most often recommended for use within life science and pharmaceutical industries.
Types of PES Filters
Tisch Scientific has a wide range of PES filters that offer additional capabilities based on pore size, diameter, and prefilter options available. These options can range from 0.05um to 5.00um in pore size and 25m to 293mm.
There are further options for pore size, mm, and prefiltration within PES syringe and PES roll stock, allowing for an increased ability of applications.
PES Applications
PES filters maintain a wide range of applications thanks to their durability, stability, and chemical resistance. Most often PES filters are used in the following applications, however this list is by no means exhaustive.
- Hemodialysis treatments
- Waste water recovery
- Food and beverage processing
- Gas separation
- Filtration needs within automotive and electronic industries
- Filter sterilization
How to Select Proper the Proper PES Filter Characteristic
Selecting the correct PES filter for your needs does not have to be a complicated process. To ensure that the filter you choose is able to meet your filtration needs follow these four simple steps and pick-out your filter with a filter media selector. These four steps include:
- Consider whether your application requires prefiltration
- Consider the various qualities required for membrane filtration. These can include aqueous, non-polar, and protein subcategories.
- Select your diameter type from our wide range of options. Generally, most diameters are available from <10mL, <100mL, or, <250mL to determine the mm size of the filter.
- Determine the pore size based off of the micron size of the column of >3um or <3um.
While not the fifth step, it is essential to ensure the chemical compatibility of the filter. Consider the Membrane Filter Chemical Compatibility Guide to determine the different types of materials that PES is compatible with. In general, it is compatible with the following:
- Most acids save Phospheric 25%, Formic 25%, Trichloroacetic, 10% and Sulfuric, Concentrated
- Base Chemicals
- Alcohols
- Ethyl Ether
- Isopropyl Ethyl
- Formaldehyde, Aqueous, 30%
It is important to choose a filter based on the chemical compatibility of the membrane and housing of your sample mix, the size and amount of particulates in the sample, any potential interactions, and any special considerations such as prefiltration.
When you follow these steps and ensure chemical compatibility you are setting your sampling process up for success.
PES Filters for Your Applications
PES filters have a wide range of capabilities and will offer the ability for those in scientific or medical communities to perform fast and accurate testing. Tisch Scientific’s selection of membrane and syringe PES filters are designed to provide affordable and accurate filtration while delivering high quality results.