Strong and Durable Hydrophilic Microporous Membranes
PES Membranes for Filtration Applications
PES membrane technology consists of a unique asymmetric pore structure that enables controlled rejection at the surface while promoting maximum throughput of the membrane. These hydrophilic membranes have high flow rates, good pH resistance, and low protein and drug binding characteristics, making this technology ideal for nanofiltration and ultrafiltration applications. These semi-permeable membranes are available in a flat sheet configuration at pore sizes ranging from 0.01 to 0.1 microns. The product conforms to 3-A, FDA, and USDA sanitary standards.
When designing your polyethersulfone (PES) membrane, it’s critical to understand these key physical properties that impact the materials and functionality of the part:
Pore size: the size of the voids in the porous media. To support nanofiltration and ultrafiltration applications, PES membranes have small pore size options, ranging from 0.01 to 0.1 microns. Porex can help you to determine what size is right for you to optimize your device’s performance.
Operating temperature: the temperature range at which the final porous fiber part will be required to operate. For PES membranes, operating temperatures can go up to 130ºF.
Polymer
Pore Sizes (microns)
Pore Volume (%)
Operating Temperature (◦F)
Polyethersulfone (PES)
0.01 to 0.1
n/a
130
Polyethylene (PE)
5 to 250
25-60
180
Polypropylene (PP)
100 to 300
30-40
250
Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)
20 to 30
30-40
300
Polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE)
<1 to 60
30-70
400
Track-Etched Membrane (PET)
0.02 to 8
n/a
350
Chemical properties
Polyethersulfone (PES) membrane is transparent and amorphous in structure, exhibiting superior oxidative, thermal, and hydrolytic strength in both hot and wet environments. It is one of the most well-known materials used in ultrafiltration, microfiltration, and gas separation applications. Below is a chart illustrating the chemical compatibility of PES versus our other readily available polymer technologies:
Chemicals
PES
PE
PP
PTFE
PVDF
TEM (PET)
Acids (non-oxidizing)
Fair-Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Poor
Bases
Good
Good
Good
Good
Poor
Poor
Oils
Fair-Good
Fair-Good
Fair-Good
Good
Good
Good
Aromatic solvents
Good
Poor
Poor
Good
Good
Fair-Good
Non-polar aliphatic solvent
Good
Fair
Fair
Good
Good
Good
Polar-aprotic solvents
Good
Fair-Good
Fair-Good
Good
Poor
Good
Polar-Protic solvents
Fair-Good
Fair-Good
Fair-Good
Good
Good
Poor
Halogenated solvent
Good
Poor
Poor
Good
Good
Fair-Good
Oxidizing agents
Fair-Good
Poor
Poor
Good
Good
Fair-Good
Porex’s PES membrane filters are available as standard sheets or rolls ranging in pore size from 0.01 to 0.1 microns.
Polyethersulfone (PES)
For life science applications requiring nanofiltration and ultrafiltration, PES membrane filters are a perfect choice due to their chemical stability, mechanical and thermal resistance, superior flow rate, high throughput, and low protein and drug binding functions. Whether it be hemodialysis, blood apheresis, blood glucose testing, sterile pharmaceutical filtration, lateral flow assays, infusion therapy, or microbial analysis, our PES membranes are there to reliably support you with pore sizes ranging from 0.01 to 0.1 microns.
When you partner with Porex, our team works closely with yours to better understand your device and application so we can select the most appropriate material that suits your needs. In addition to PES membranes, we also have other porous polymers and membrane technologies available to you depending on your pore size, pore volume, operating temperature, or other applicational requirements.
Common applications for PES membranes
Filter
PES membrane filters are commonly used in life science applications, such as hemodialysis, blood apheresis, blood glucose testing, sterile pharmaceutical filtration, lateral flow assays, infusion therapy, or microbial analysis. Their small pore sizes allow for nanofiltration and ultrafiltration to take place.