TechnologIES – POROUS MEMBRANES
Track-Etched Membranes
Precision Excellence Above All Membrane Technologies
Precision by Design in Membrane Technologies
Porex™ track-etched membranes deliver unmatched precision in pore size, density, and performance, enabling highly controlled airflow and filtration in demanding applications.
Built on our Oxyphen® track-etched membrane technology platform, these membranes feature a uniform cylindrical pore structure that ensures predictable flow rates and consistent water entry pressure (WEP). This level of control supports critical applications across automotive, medical, electronics, and industrial markets.
Our portfolio includes both unlaminated and laminated membrane constructions, with customizable surface treatments and formats to meet your exact design requirements.
Oxyphen® Technology Platform
Oxyphen® is Porex’s advanced track-etched membrane technology platform, engineered to deliver exceptional control over pore geometry and distribution.
Unlike traditional porous materials, track-etched membranes use a controlled, two-step process to create straight, cylindrical pores with tight tolerances, enabling:
- Highly predictable airflow
- Stable and repeatable WEP performance
- Consistent filtration accuracy
This platform supports both standalone membranes and integrated venting solutions, allowing Porex to deliver complete, application-ready components, not just materials.
Membrane Technologies
There are two membrane technologies for customers to choose from: Unique-Mem® and RoTrac®. Unique-Mem® track-etched membranes are a single, unlaminated membrane layers that are available as hydrophobic or hydrophilic. Depending on pore density, they can also be transparent or translucent. RoTrac® membranes are laminated Unique-Mem® track-etched membranes that are supported with nonwovens (PP or PET) to create a more robust laminated membrane structure. They, too, are available as either hydrophilic or hydrophobic. All of our track-etched membranes are 100% free of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and 98% free of PFAS.
A full spectrum of membrane assembly options is available to our customers, including rollstock, pre-punched discs, self-adhesive pads, pressure compensation units, as well as custom assemblies and modules for specific applications.
Custom & Standard Assembly Options
Oxypad®
Self-adhesive Membrane Pads
Hydrophobic or hyrophilic self-adhesive membrane pads on liner material. Easily integrated to promote consistent pressure equalization and protection against the ingress of water, dust, or other harmful particulates.
Oxydisc®
Self-adhesive Membrane Pads
Pre-punched hydrophobic or hydrophilic membrane discs in various dimensions. Easily mounted and produced using either hydrophobic or hydrophilic membranes for any filtration or venting application.
Oxyseal®
Pressure Compensation Units
Pressure compensation venting plugs with hydrophobic or oleophobic treated membranes. Easily deployed to prevent the ingress of oily liquids, water, dust, dirt, salts, or other contaminants. Can also be fully customizable.
Rollstock
Track-etched rollstock membrane that can be laminated, unlaminated, or fiber-based, is supplied from polyester (PET) or polycarbonate (PC) high quality raw materials. Membranes can be treated with hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or oleophobic properties.
Assemblies & Modules
To meet specific product solution requirements within the life-science and automotive spaces, Porex engineers partner with leading OEMs to develop highly tailored components and assemblies for specific applications.
Customized Solutions
As a team of scientists, problem solvers, engineers, and strategic thinkers, Porex is passionate about partnering with our customers to create high-value solutions that bring their product design or concept to life.
Manufacturing process
Track-etched membrane technology is created using a two-step process. Using proprietary beaming equipment operated only by our employees, we begin by performing heavy ion beaming of the polymer film. This allows for 100% control of the pore density. Each ion creates a laten track, which we then etch cylindrical pores along. This allows for 100% control of the pore sizes. Optional surface treatments and lamination processes are also available which can expand functionality as well as mechanical stability if it is needed for the application.
Options for customizing track-etched membranes
Common applications for track-etched membranes
This list of application examples is just a small selection of what is possible.
Filter
Our track-etched membranes offer ultra-precise flow control and filtration efficiency. They have been used for many years to support tissue engineering, pharmaceutical research, and IV drug delivery among other filtration applications.
Vent
Whether to relieve pressure, allow for cooling, or protect contents from the external environment, our track-etched membranes and membrane assemblies can help to solve venting challenges in automotive, life science, industrial, and consumer applications.
Why do pore size and flow matter?
Learn more in our new technical article
Related Resources
Membrane Design Guide
Discover how to effectively design a membrane solution to navigate complex venting and filtration challenges.
Oxyphen Track-Etched Membranes
Explore how track-etched membranes are manufactured and the breadth of technology options offering a unique pore structure that offers the smallest pore size and pore density tolerances.
Learn More
OxyDisc Track-Etched Membrane Discs Brochure
Effortlessly assemble pre-punched hydrophobic or hydrophilic Oxyphen track-etched membranes into housings. Learn more about the benefits and available options.
Oxyphen Rollstock Membrane Brochure
Discover the multiple benefits and available options offered by Oxyphen’s rollstock track-etched membrane, the ideal cost-effective solution for high-volume, next-generation products.
Select Samples
Explore our most common functional sample library and see for yourself the possibilities of custom materials.
Ask an Engineer
The first step is a quick consultation with one of our experienced Application Engineers.