A commonly used filtration membrane, nylon is naturally hydrophilic, flexible,durabile, and suitable for a wide range of applications. When searching for an appropriate nylon filter to use, however, there are specific considerations that must be addressed and the more you know about nylon filters, the more you are able to make an informed decision. So keep reading to discover all there is to know about the characteristics, benefits, and common application of nylon membrane and syringe filters.
What to Know About Nylon Filters
Nylon filters are created by infusing the synthetic polymer, nylon into polyester webs. Nylon filters are created by infusing the synthetic polymer, nylon into polyester webs. The resulting membrane filter has high mechanical strength and chemical resistance. This makes it ideal for use in a variety of applications; however, it is most commonly used in water treatment, for example, in reverse osmosis systems or as a prefilter for reverse osmosis membranes.
Nylon mesh filters are incredibly durable and resistant to aggressive solvents. They can be used in a wide range of applications, including the removal of particulates and gasses from air streams. Their melting point is between 410℉ -482℉ allowing for an even broader range of applications and uses.
Where to Use Nylon Filters
Thanks to their ability to stand up to aggressive solvents, nylon membranes can be utilized for use with HPLC solvents and ultracleaning solutions. Additionally, They are useful for the sterilization and clarification of buffers and culture media.
Nylon membranes are made from a synthetic polymer material that is less brittle than cellulosics, making them easier to handle. They also contain no wetting agents, which means they will not interfere with your solution or waste time rinsing them off after use.
They are autoclavable at 121°C (250°F), thus can be used in laboratories without worry about contamination or cross-contamination issues.
Benefits of Nylon Filtration
Nylon filters have a wide range of filtration options and benefits, this can include:
- Hydrophilic Nylon Filters
- Strong Thermal Stability
- Usable with Aqueous and Alcoholic Solutions/ Solvents
- Stong Chemical Stability
Hydrophilic Nylon Filters
Nylon filters are naturally hydrophilic. Hydrophilic membranes are generally easier to wet with water than hydrophobic ones. They require less pressure to allow for the intrusion of water into their pores with a surface tension of 72 dynes/cm² under ideal circumstances.
Strong Thermal Stability
Because of their high thermal stability, nylon membrane filters are able to stand up to 410℉ heat at minimum. This expands the capabilities and functions of the filter is various applications and make it well-suited to industries and applications that function with high temperatures.
Usable with Aqueous and Alcoholic Solutions/Solvents
Nylon filters are able to effectively be used with a large variety of aqueous and alcoholic solvents resulting in improved filtration with high pH solutions. Thus, allowing for enhanced versatility.
Strong Chemical Stability
Nylon filters maintain strong chemical stability in the face of harsh chemicals. This allows them to be used in a wide variety of applications, including chemical manufacturing, food and beverage production, and waste water treatment.
Nylon Syringe Filters vs Nylon Membrane Filters
Nylon membrane filters are used in the pharmaceutical industry to filter small particles from liquids. They can be made from a wide range of materials, including polypropylene and cellulose acetate, depending on the desired application. Nylon membrane filters can withstand high temperatures and pressures without becoming damaged or brittle, making them ideal for use in chemical applications such as pharmaceutical processes or distillation processes that require heating or pumping of hot liquids. The main disadvantage of nylon membrane filters is that they are not very selective—they allow some larger particles through while blocking smaller ones—so they must be cleaned after each use to prevent clogging.
Nylon syringe filters have many similar properties to nylon membrane filters but are designed specifically for use with liquids under pressure—meaning they need to withstand high pressure without leaking or bursting. This means they can be used in more varied applications than nylon membrane filters alone (such as vacuum filtration) but are less versatile than other options like glass wool columns because they cannot tolerate heat (which means they cannot
Nylon Membrane Roll Stock
A nylon membrane roll stock filter is a type of membrane filter that uses a thin sheet of nylon as the filter medium. This type of filter is commonly used in industrial applications where high purity water is needed, and where contamination from particulate matter is a concern.
Nylon membrane roll stock filters are made by cutting a sheet of nylon into strips or rolls, which are then mounted on a frame and sealed with another layer of nylon. The top layer acts as a sealant to prevent dirt and other contaminants from leaking through the filter during normal use.
The main advantage of this type of filter over others like polypropylene or polyester ones is that it has a higher flow rate than any other material available today–up to 100 times faster than polypropylene filters. This makes it ideal for use on large-scale systems like municipal water treatment plants, where large volumes must be processed quickly but reliably day after day without sacrificing quality standards.
Types of Nylon Filters
Nylon Membrane Filters
A nylon membrane filter is a type of filter that uses a porous material to remove impurities from a liquid. The material is usually made of nylon, which is a type of synthetic fiber.
Nylon membrane filters are commonly used in the food industry for filtering out impurities from liquids such as milk, beer, or wine. They can also be used for other things like water purification and sterilization.
Nylon Syringe Filters
A nylon syringe filter is a type of filter that can be used to remove particles from a solution. Nylon filters are usually made of a thin, porous material called polyamide. The materials used in the construction of these filters vary depending on their intended use. For example, if you’re using your nylon syringe filter to strain out particulate matter from a solution, you will want to make sure that it is constructed from a material that is strong enough to withstand the pressure of whatever substance you’re filtering.
Nylon Applications
There is a wide range of suitable applications for nylon filters. These can include:
- Filtration of mobile phases and samples within chromatographic analysis
- Liquid sterilization including clarification and particle filtration
- Sterilization (general)
- Biomedical filtration especially when working with tissue collection
- Nanotechnology filtration
- Smoke filtration
- Biochemistry industry
- Food and beverage industry
How to Select the Proper Nylon Filter Characteristics
When considering a nylon filter there is a demonstrated process that requires just four simple steps. It is recommended to follow these steps with a filter media selector. These steps include:
- Decide if your filtering needs require prefiltration or not
- Choose a membrane material based on the following qualities: aqueous, non-polar, and protein.
- Select the accurate diameter. This will typically be <10mL, <100mL, or <250mL. Ultimately, this will determine the mm diameter of your filter.
- Based on the micron size of your column either >3um or <3um, determine your pore size.
It is equally important to ensure that chemical compatibilities are followed. Although nylon membrane is particularly adept with all types of materials, it does have some incompatibilities, including but not limited to:
- Most acids
- Ethanol, 70%
- Dimethyl Formamide
- Methylene Chloride
Be sure to cross check incompatibilities with this chemical compatibility guide. Ultimately, nylon filters and nylon syringe filters are extremely compatible with a broad range of chemicals which, in turn, allows for a broader use of applications.
Are Nylon Filters Right for You?
Nylon filters are a great choice for you if you are looking for a filter that has strong thermal and chemical stability. With a wide range of applications, nylon filters offer affordable, quick, and accurate testing. Tisch Scientific nylon filters are expertly designed to provide high quality filtering at an affordable price point, allowing you to increase your filtering capabilities.