Mixed Cellulose Ester Membranes
A Gold Standard for IH Sampling

Hydrophilic, autoclavable, standard filter for fibers and metals

Economical Meet NIOSH and OSHA method specifications for monitoring airborne metals, asbestos, and other fibers Biologically inert Complete dissolution and clearing Purity — low artifacts Minimal interferences in fiber counting Standard digestion procedures Gridded filters for fiber counting Ideal for air monitoring, AAS, and transmitted light microscopy applications NIOSH is using MCE MEmbranes to study nanoparticle morphology and elemental makeup

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.

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.

Asbestos Fibers - NIOSH 7400, OSHA ID160

MCE pore structure collapses when exposed to acetone vapor and offers minimal interferences in fiber counting. This makes it highly suitable for the collection and analysis of asbestos and other fibers. See preloaded MCE filters for asbestos.

Additional applications include monitoring some pesticides and fluorides. See the SKC Air Sampling Guides for further applications.

Ordering Information        

  MCE Filters

Diameter (mm)	Pore Size (µm)	Support Pad† Included	Notes	Qty.	Cat. No.
20	0.8	No		100	225-1915
25	0.45	No		100	225-1911
25	0.8	No	Use with IOM	100	225-1930
25	0.8	No		100	225-19P
25	0.8	Yes	Available in ready-to-use preloaded cassettes	100	225-19
25	0.8	No	black grid	100	225-1913
25	1.2	No	Cellulose, ashless Recommended for use with the Button Sampler	100	225-1912
34	0.45	No	MCE filters with radial slits for Marple Impactor	50	225-1932
37	-	No	Cellulose, ashless Type 40	500	225-18A
37	-	No	Cellulose, ashless Type 4	500	225-18B
37	0.45	Yes		100	225-9
37	0.45	No		100	225-1914
37	0.8	Yes	Available in ready-to-use preloaded cassettes	100	225-5
37	0.8	No		100	225-1939
37	0.8	No	Black grid	100	225-334
37	1.2	No		100	225-1923
37	5.0	No		100	225-1938
47	0.45	No		100	225-506
47	0.8	No		100	225-504
47	1.2	No		100	225-1921
102	0.8	No		25	225-1916

†	Filter supports available

  Matched-weight MCE filters

Diameter (mm)	Specifications	Qty.	Cat. No.
37	MCE, 0.8 µm, matched-weight within 50 µg, filter pairs only not in preloaded cassettes	50	225-532
47	MCE, 0.8 µm, matched-weight within 50 µg, filter pairs only not in preloaded cassettes	50	225-531

ACCU-CAP MCE Filter Inserts ACCU-CAP inserts are dome-shaped filter capsules molded of clear static-dissipative plastic and heat-sealed to a filter. ACCU-CAPS fit in between the parts of a two-piece cassette with support pad. Containment of the sample within the capsule prevents cassette wall losses

Diameter (mm)	Pore size	Qty.	Cat. No.
25	0.8 um	60	225-8506
37	0.8 um	60	225-8514

  Specialty MCE Filters for the Respicon™ Sampler

Specialty MCE Filters
Diameter (mm)	Pore Size (µm)	Support Pad Included	Notes	Qty.	Cat. No.
37	0.8	No	with hole for Respicon	100	225-1941
37	5.0	No	with hole for Respicon Sampler	100	225-1922

 

Preloaded MCE Filters All SKC preloaded filters include support pad and are in SureSeal leak-free cassettes that require a SureSeal Cassette Opener

Diameter (mm)	Pore Size (µm)	Cassette Description	Qty.	Cat. No.
25	0.8	3-piece, clear plastic, banded	50	225-3100
25	1.2	3-piece, black conductive polypropylene (Goblet style with extension cowl) banded	50	225-507
37	0.45	3-piece black conductive, banded	50	225-1924
37	0.45	4-piece clear styrene, banded BestChek ® Quality tested for low asbestos fiber background. Certificate of analysis included.	50	225-1925
37	0.8	2-piece clear styrene, banded	50	225-508
37	0.8	3-piece, clear styrene, banded	50	225-3-01
			500	225-3-01A
37	0.8	3-piece, clear styrene, not banded	50	225-3-01NB

Preloaded Matched-weight MCE Filter Cassettes All SKC preloaded filters include support pad and are in SureSeal leak-free cassettes that require a SureSeal Cassette Opener

Diameter (mm)	Cassette Description	Filter Specifications	Matched-weight	Qty.	Cat. No.
25	2-piece clear styrene, banded	0.8 µm MCE with support	within 50 µg	50	225-525
37	3-piece clear styrene, banded	0.8 µm MCE	within 100 µg	50	225-3-02
37	2-piece clear styrene, banded	0.8 µm MCE	within 50 µg	50	225-502
37	3-piece clear styrene, banded	0.8 µm MCE	within 50 µg	50	225-503
37	2-piece clear styrene, banded	0.8 µm MCE with support	within 50 µg	12	225-527
37	3-piece clear styrene, banded	0.8 µm MCE with support	within 50 µg	12	225-528

Click here for Preloaded MCE Filter Cassettes for Asbestos Sampling

 

  Specialty MCE Filters for the Marple series 290 Personal Cascade Impactor

Specialty MCE Filters
Diameter (mm)	Pore Size (µm)	Support Pad Included	Notes	Qty.	Cat. No.
34	0.45	No	MCE filters with radial slits for Marple Impactor	50	225-1932

Nano-Neat MCE Filter Cassettes Ultra-pure for sampling workplace chromium; chromium content is <01 µg per filter. Cassettes are tinted purple for easy identification. Each box contains a Certificate of Conformance. All SKC preloaded filters include support pad and are in SureSeal leak-free cassettes that require a SureSeal Cassette Opener

Diameter (mm)	Filter Specifications	Cassette Description	Qty.	Cat. No.
25	MCE, 0.8 µm, Nan0-Neat	2-piece, purple styrene, banded	50	225-8402
25	MCE, 0.8 µm, Nan0-Neat	3-piece, purple styrene, banded	50	225-8404
37	MCE, 0.8 µm, Nan0-Neat	2-piece, purple styrene, banded	50	225-8408
37	MCE, 0.8 µm, Nan0-Neat	3-piece, purple styrene, banded	50	225-8410

 

A typical filter will have a rough side and a shiny side. The shiny side is easier to read under a microscope, therefore, expose the shiny side to the air for microscopic analysis. The rough side holds dust more effectively; expose the rough side for gravimetric analysis.

Filter/Cassette Solvent Compatibility Chart (HTML)

Filter/Cassette Solvent Compatibility Chart (PDF)

Filter FAQs

MSDS — MCE Filters (PDF)

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Custom Filters Available

For specific applications, SKC will manufacture filters to meet your specific requirements. Download the Custom Filter Order Form in PDF format. Complete the form and fax it to your SKC representative, contact your SKC representative, or call the SKC Sales Department at 724-941-9701 for more information.

Custom Filters Order Forms (PDF)

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This page was last modified March 3, 2010