PVDF filters are a trustworthy and increasingly popular form of filtration that have a wide range of applications and benefits. However, there are a variety of factors that determine the specific size and type of PVDF membrane filter that your situation may call for. Keep reading to discover all of the characteristics, benefits, and common applications of PVDF filters and how to choose the correct one for your needs.
What to Know About PVDF Filters
Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a thermoplastic fluoropolymer that is created by the polymerization of vinylidene difluoride. This means that PVDF filters is solvent-resistant and exhibits low levels of UV absorbing extractables resulting in diverse use within high-purity, high-strength, and high-chemical-resistance products throughout a variety of industries. While hydrophobic is natural, hydrophilic PVDF can be utilized within applications where aqueous solutions are deemed necessary.
As a fluropolymer resin, PVFD shows little reactivity to common substances and was primarily designed for applications that called for intense chemical resistance. As such, it is commonly utilized as a lining or protective barrier within chemical industry uses.
Where to Use PVDF Filters
PVDF’s chemical inertness, high temperature and high pressure sustainability, positive mechanical properties, and highly efficient filtratration ability lends industrial filtration applications specifically within food and beverage, chemical and petrochemical, biopharmaceutical, processing and other various industries where exposure to corrosive elements while coming into contact with gasses, solvents, and alkalloid solutions is a given.
Demand for PVDF membrane is high within growing markets such as China, India, Brazil, and Argentina according to Market Research Reports released in November 2020 by Markets & Markets Research.
Benefits of PVDF Filtration
- Availability of Hydrophobic and Hydophillic Options
- High Tensile Strength and Durability
- Resistance to Oxidizing Agents
- Omnidirectional Substrate Pore Structure
- Excellent Chemical Compatibility
- Versatile Size Availability
- Piezoelectric Properties
Availability of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Options
PVDF filters are able to be both hydrophobic and hydrophilic. Hydrophilic polyvinylidene fluoride filters are designed to be used with aqueous solutions, such as blood, blood products, and water. They are made from a polymer that has been chemically modified to become hydrophilic or water-loving. This allows the filter to attract and bind to water molecules, making it a useful addition to any medical application that requires filtering fluids.
Hydrophobic filters, on the other hand, are designed for use with non-aqueous solutions and liquids, such as oil or diesel fuel. They are made from a polymer that has been chemically modified to become hydrophobic.
High Tensile Strength and Durability
PVDF maintains the highest tensile strength of all fleurocarbons allowing for broader use in various applications and improved durability.
Resistance to Oxidizing Agents
PVDF demonstrates inherent resistance to ozone oxidation reactions, nuclear radiation, UV damage, and microbial fungal growth, which allows for useful application within nuclear waste management.
Omnidirectional Substrate Pore Structure
The omnidirecional substrate pore structure of PVDF filters is used in almost sponge-like applications for increased durability, strength, and high achieving filtration.
Excellent Chemical Compatibility
PVDF is a fluoropolymer, which means that it consists of at least 85% fluorine by volume. It is inert to polar and nonpolar solvents and can withstand temperatures up to 200°C without degrading.
Versatile Size Availability
PVDF is available in a variety of sizes for broader application use. The most common size is 1/4″ but this material can also be found in 1/8″, 3/16″, and 1/16″ and more, thus allowing it to be used in a large variety of industrial, medical, and mechanical applications.
Piezoelectric Properties
Piezoelectricity is the ability of certain materials to generate an electric charge when they are deformed.
When a piezoelectric material is placed under stress, it will deform and generate a potential difference (voltage) between its ends. Conversely, if a voltage is applied across the ends of the material, it will deform. This means that piezoelectric materials can be used as sensors for mechanical pressure and vibration.
Applications of PVDF Filters
PVDF Filters are able to be utilized in a wide variety of applications. However the most common applications tend to be:
- Chemical processing
- Electricity and electrical battery components
- Construction and Architecture
- Biomedical research (Particularly within immunoblotting as a artificial membrane throughPVDF Membrane Roll Stock Filters0
- Nuclear Waste Handling
- Food and beverage processing
- Water/ Wastewater Management
PVDF Syringe Filters Vs. PVDF Membrane Filters
PVDF Syringe Filters and PVDF Membrane Filters are two of the most common types of filters used in the pharmaceutical industry. Both are high-quality, reliable, and effective at removing impurities from water, but they differ in a number of ways.
The main difference between a PVDF syringe filter and a PVDF membrane filter is that a syringe filter is installed in-line, while a membrane filter is installed as part of an upstream process. A PVDF syringe filter contains multiple levels of filtering media and can be cleaned, which makes it suitable for use in all sorts of applications including chemical manufacturing, oil refining, and wastewater treatment. A PVDF membrane filter has only one layer of filtering media which cannot be cleaned; instead, it must be replaced when the filter becomes clogged with contaminants or when its flow rate drops below an acceptable level.
Another important difference between these two types of filters is that they have different flow rates: The flow rate through a PVDF membrane filter will typically be higher than that through a PVDF syringe filter due to its larger size and because it uses less pressure to move its media elements along their flow paths than does a smaller-sized
PVDF Membrane Roll Stock Filters
PVDF membrane roll stock filters are microporous allowing a high efficiency for applications requiring elevated particulate removal. PVDF membranes offer excellent chemical resistance and are not affected by most acids or bases. As with other polymers, these membranes can be easily cleaned using standard cleaning methods.
How to Select the Proper PVDF Filter Characteristics
When looking to select a filter there is a simple-to-follow process of four steps that can be utilized to discover the filter most suited to your unique needs.
- Consider the prefilteration needs of your application
- Decide on the suitable membrane filtration media by considering aqueous, non polar, and protein qualities
- Choose the correct diameter by considering the volume of your samples (most usually either <10mL, <100mL, or <250mL)
- Determine the suitable pore size based off the applications need for less than or greater than 3µm.
Although PVDF is highly regarded for its chemical reaction stability it is important to ensure that chemical compatibilities are followed. Consider this chart to determine that compatibility. Generally, PVDF is considered incompatible with:
- Concentrated Sulphuric Acid
- Amyl Propyl/Butyle Acetate
- Propyl Acetate
- Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)
- Dimethyl Formamide
- Pyridine
- Ketones
There is also an amount of chemicals that are not currently backed by research and thus outcomes are not able to be shared with certainty.
PVDF Filters Provide the Assurance You Need
While PVDF filters have many uses, one of their most important uses is providing assurance and peace of mind for businesses within a wide range of industries. Our selection of PVDF membrane filter, PVDF syringe filters, and PVDF membrane roll stock poverty the clarity and peace of mind that only a high-quality and accurate filter can.