Syringe filters

Match the membrane to your solvent. Cellulose acetate (CA) has low protein binding and suits aqueous samples, such as the CA filter, 0.22 µm, 25 mm. Nylon suits many aqueous and organic HPLC samples (0.45 µm, 30 mm). Hydrophilic PVDF works for aqueous and mild organic samples (0.22 µm, 13 mm). Hydrophobic PTFE is the choice for aggressive solvents and gases (0.22 µm, 30 mm). Glass fibre is a prefilter for loaded samples (1 µm, 25 mm). All come in packs of 100 pieces.

Choose 0.45 µm to remove particles before HPLC or other analysis; it filters faster and clogs less. Choose 0.22 µm when you also need to retain bacteria, or for UHPLC columns with very small particles. Note that the filters in this collection are supplied non-sterile, so they are not ready for sterile filtration as delivered. Examples: the CA filter, 0.45 µm, 30 mm, and the CA filter, 0.22 µm, 30 mm, both 100 pieces. For sterile work, ask us for a sterile option at sales@luminixhealth.com.

The diameter sets the filtration area, so choose it by sample volume. Small 4 mm filters suit micro-volumes in HPLC vials and keep dead volume low, such as the hydrophilic PTFE filter, 0.22 µm, 4 mm, 200 pieces. A 13 mm filter suits a few millilitres, like the hydrophilic PVDF filter, 0.45 µm, 13 mm, 100 pieces. 25 and 30 mm filters suit larger volumes and loaded samples. A larger filter also needs less pressure, which is easier on your hand. See all syringe filters.

A filter clogs when the sample carries more particles than the membrane can hold. First let the sample settle or centrifuge it and filter only the supernatant. Then use a larger diameter for more area, or put a glass-fibre prefilter in front of the fine membrane, for example the glass fibre filter, 0.7 µm, 30 mm, 100 pieces. Do not press harder: too much pressure can rupture the membrane or push the housing apart. If the membrane does not suit your solvent, it can also swell and block. Advice: sales@luminixhealth.com.

A hydrophilic membrane wets with water, so aqueous samples pass through it straight away. A hydrophobic membrane repels water: it suits organic solvents, gases and venting, and lets an aqueous sample through only after pre-wetting with a suitable solvent. PTFE is hydrophobic; PVDF comes in both versions, so always check which one the product title states. Examples: PVDF syringe filter, hydrophilic, 0.22 µm and PTFE syringe filter, hydrophobic, 0.22 µm. The chemical compatibility of each membrane is on its product page.

Base the pore size on the column. For UHPLC and for columns with particles smaller than 3 µm, filter at 0.2/0.22 µm. For HPLC columns with particles of 3 µm or larger, 0.45 µm is usually enough. Choose a membrane that is compatible with your solvent: nylon and RC are broadly used for HPLC samples, PTFE for aggressive solvents. If extractables matter for your method, check the information on the product page or ask us. Our HPLC columns page explains column particle sizes. Example: nylon syringe filter, 0.22 µm, Ø 25 mm.

Choose a prefilter when you know in advance that the sample is turbid or carries a high particle load: soil and food extracts, cell debris, or suspensions. The glass-fibre layer in front of the membrane catches the coarse particles first, so the membrane underneath keeps filtering. For very particle-rich samples, a separate glass-fibre syringe filter can go first. Examples: syringe filter with glass-fibre prefilter, PVDF, 0.45 µm and glass-fibre syringe filter, 1 µm. The pore size of the main membrane still decides what ends up in your filtrate.

Sterile syringe filters are for sterile filtration of small volumes: media supplements, buffers and additives in cell culture and microbiology, where a filter with a 0.2/0.22 µm membrane retains bacteria. They are sterilised and individually packed, so you open one per use at the bench or in the safety cabinet. Example: PES syringe filter, 0.22 µm, Ø 25 mm, sterile. Sterility is stated on each product page. For a sterile filtration step in a regulated process, validate the filter together with your own procedure.

A syringe filter is a membrane in a plastic housing on a Luer fitting. Pore size, membrane polymer and diameter are the three choices. 0.2 µm is the sterilising and the HPLC-particle cut. 0.45 µm is the coarser clarification. Aqueous and solvent-resistant membranes are different polymers.

Filtration holds back what is larger than the pores and lets the rest through. Paper is the ordinary laboratory filter. A membrane has a stated pore size and a polymer that must survive the solvent. A syringe filter is that membrane in a housing on a syringe. Glass fibre takes a higher dirt load. Ultrafiltration holds back macromolecules and passes salts. The pore size, the chemical compatibility and the volume are the three choices. Laboratory apparatus around filtration is indexed under ISO laboratory apparatus.

This shelf belongs to Filtration, inside Lab consumables. Luminix Health distributes this range for laboratory use.

The neighbouring shelves are Filter paper, Sintered glass filter plates & discs, Filter cartridges & capsules, Membrane filters, Glass & quartz fibre filters, Bottle-top & vacuum filtration units, Ultrafiltration & concentrators, Filtration accessories, Extraction thimbles and Dialysis tubing & devices. The category above this shelf is Filtration.

Luminix Health distributes this range from the heart of Europe. We deliver across the EU in two to five days if in stock. Standard delivery is free from €250 excl. VAT. Cold-chain goods and dangerous goods under ADR are never included in that free delivery. The terms are in the Shipping Policy. Send a quote request, contact the team, or read who we are. The full brand index is on shop by brand.

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