0.1–0.2 µm PVDF filters
Fine membrane configurations for applications requiring a high level of particulate retention. A 0.2 µm configuration is also relevant to pharmaceutical and biotechnology process development.
PVDF Membrane Capsule Filter – Low Protein Adsorption
Filtra International supplies hydrophilic PVDF membrane capsule filters for precision filtration of aqueous solutions, biological process liquids and other compatible fluids. PVDF combines hydrophilic membrane behaviour with low protein adsorption, making it particularly relevant where product recovery and interaction between the process fluid and filter membrane are important.
Available pore sizes range from 0.1 to 3.0 µm, with multiple capsule lengths and connection options for laboratory filtration, biotechnology development, pharmaceutical R&D and pilot-scale process filtration.
Membrane
Hydrophilic PVDF
Pore sizes
0.1–3.0 µm
Key characteristic
Low protein adsorption
Compact filter area
Approx. 300 cm²*
*Configuration note: approximately 300 cm² is documented for the compact PVDF capsule configuration. Filtra also offers larger capsule formats. Effective filtration area, flow capacity and other technical limits depend on the exact capsule size and configuration.
PVDF capsule filter technical overview
| Filter type | Disposable hydrophilic PVDF membrane capsule filter |
|---|---|
| Filter membrane | PVDF – polyvinylidene fluoride |
| Membrane behaviour | Hydrophilic |
| Protein interaction | Low protein adsorption |
| Media support | Polypropylene |
| Capsule hardware / housing | Polypropylene |
| Optional filling bell | Polycarbonate, configuration-dependent |
| Available pore sizes | 0.1, 0.2, 0.45, 0.65, 1.0 and 3.0 µm |
| Filtra selectable capsule lengths | 1.5", 2.5", 5", 10" and 20" |
| Compact configuration filter area | Approx. 300 cm² |
| Compact configuration working pressure | Up to 5 bar at 20 °C |
| Documented maximum operating temperature | 80 °C |
| Integrity testing | 100% integrity tested for the documented compact capsule range |
| Biological safety | Documented components meet USP Class VI-121°C specifications for plastics |
| Hot-water sanitisation | 90 °C for 30 minutes, multiple cycles |
| Autoclaving | 121 °C for 30 minutes, multiple cycles for the documented compact configuration |
| Material compliance | Documented FDA 21 CFR and EU 10/2011 food-contact material compliance |
How does a PVDF membrane capsule filter work?
Process liquid enters the capsule through the selected inlet connection and passes through the PVDF membrane. The controlled membrane pore structure retains particulate and colloidal contamination according to the selected pore-size rating, while filtered liquid exits through the outlet connection.
Because the membrane and housing are supplied as one enclosed capsule, the filtration device can be installed without a separate cartridge-filter housing. This makes the format useful for laboratory equipment, pilot systems, process development and other compact filtration installations.
Why use hydrophilic PVDF for low protein adsorption?
One of the distinguishing characteristics of this PVDF membrane is its low protein adsorption. This can be important when filtering valuable biological or protein-containing process liquids where unnecessary adsorption onto the filter membrane may reduce product recovery.
The documented hydrophilic PVDF membrane also provides good wetting with aqueous solutions and is described as having stable filtration flux, resistance to clogging and anti-fouling characteristics.
Actual product recovery and membrane interaction depend on the specific protein, formulation, concentration and process conditions. Compatibility and recovery should therefore be evaluated for sensitive applications.
0.1 to 3.0 micron PVDF capsule filters
The PVDF capsule range includes six selectable pore sizes for different fine-filtration and clarification requirements.
0.45–0.65 µm PVDF filters
Useful for fine clarification, laboratory filtration and compatible biological or aqueous process solutions.
1.0–3.0 µm PVDF filters
Larger-pore options for particulate reduction and applications where lower flow resistance or higher solids tolerance is required.
Available ratings are 0.1, 0.2, 0.45, 0.65, 1.0 and 3.0 µm. Final selection should consider required retention, fluid composition, solids loading, product recovery and allowable pressure drop.
Pharmaceutical note: a nominal 0.2 µm pore size does not by itself establish validated sterilizing-grade performance. Where sterile filtration or validated microbial retention is required, confirm the exact filter grade and its supporting validation documentation.
PVDF capsule filters for protein and biological solutions
Low protein adsorption makes PVDF an important membrane option to evaluate for protein-sensitive filtration duties. Potential applications can include biotechnology process development, compatible biological solutions, pharmaceutical R&D and laboratory filtration.
For valuable proteins, enzymes or other biological products, filter selection should include recovery testing under representative process conditions. The correct membrane cannot be selected from pore size alone.
PVDF filtration of aqueous solutions and compatible solvents
The documented PVDF membrane is suitable for aqueous solutions and selected organic-solvent applications. This can make PVDF useful where a combination of hydrophilic behaviour, low protein adsorption and chemical compatibility is required.
Chemical compatibility: suitability with an organic solvent depends on the complete capsule construction, solvent concentration, temperature and exposure time. Always confirm compatibility for the actual process fluid rather than relying on membrane material alone.
PVDF capsule filter connection options
The current Filtra PVDF capsule range includes multiple inlet and outlet configurations for laboratory, pilot and process integration.
| NPT connections | 1/4" NPT male, 3/8" NPT male, 1/2" NPT male and 3/8" NPT female |
|---|---|
| Swagelok connections | 1/4", 5/16", 3/8" and 1/2" selectable configurations |
| CPC quick-connect | 1/4" CPC PLC male and female configurations |
| Hose barb | 3/8", 1/2" and 1/4"–3/8" stepped hose-barb options |
| Sanitary connection | 1" Tri-Clamp / Tri-Clover |
Exact fitting availability can depend on capsule size and configuration. Confirm the required inlet and outlet combination when specifying the filter.
PVDF capsule lengths from 1.5 to 20 inches
Filtra's current selectable PVDF capsule configurations include 1.5", 2.5", 5", 10" and 20" formats.
Capsule size influences available filtration area, flow capacity, pressure drop and total process throughput. The documented 300 cm² filter area applies to the compact configuration and should not be extrapolated automatically to larger capsule formats.
Typical PVDF capsule filter applications
- Protein-sensitive liquid filtration
- Biotechnology process development
- Compatible biological-fluid filtration
- Pharmaceutical research and pilot filtration
- Aqueous process-solution filtration
- Laboratory sample preparation
- Fine particle and colloid reduction
- Pure-water filtration
- Compatible fine-chemical filtration
- Selected compatible organic-solvent applications
PVDF vs PES and Nylon capsule filters
| PVDF | PES | Nylon | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wettability | Hydrophilic | Hydrophilic | Hydrophilic |
| Key selection characteristic | Low protein adsorption | Strong hydrophilicity and low protein adsorption | Alcohol resistance |
| Typical starting point | Protein-sensitive and compatible biological/process liquids | Aqueous buffers and general aqueous-process filtration | Aqueous and compatible alcohol-containing liquids |
| Final selection | Compare chemical compatibility, protein recovery, required retention, process conditions and validation requirements. | ||
Integrity Testing, Biological Safety & Material Compliance
The documented compact PVDF capsule configuration includes quality and material-safety characteristics relevant to laboratory, biotechnology and process filtration.
100% integrity tested
The documented compact PVDF capsule range is individually integrity tested
during manufacturing.
USP Class VI
Documented components meet biological-safety specifications for
USP Class VI-121°C plastics.
Autoclave compatible
The documented compact configuration supports autoclaving at
121 °C for 30 minutes over multiple cycles.
Material compliance
Documented construction materials have FDA 21 CFR and EU 10/2011
food-contact material compliance.
For regulated pharmaceutical or biotechnology applications, documentation should always be confirmed against the exact membrane grade, capsule size and selected configuration.
PVDF capsule filters for pharmaceutical and biotechnology applications
Hydrophilic PVDF can be considered for pharmaceutical development and biotechnology filtration where low protein adsorption and compatible liquid filtration are important.
For regulated production, filter selection should also consider microbial retention requirements, integrity-test specifications, sterilisation method, material compliance, extractables requirements and any application-specific validation documentation.
How to select a PVDF capsule filter
Correct PVDF filter selection should consider membrane interaction as well as pore size and flow.
- Required pore size from 0.1 to 3.0 µm
- Process liquid and complete chemical composition
- Protein, enzyme or biological-product recovery requirements
- Required particulate or microbial retention level
- Flow rate and total process volume
- Expected solids or colloidal loading
- 1.5", 2.5", 5", 10" or 20" capsule size
- NPT, Swagelok, CPC, hose-barb or Tri-Clamp connection
- Operating pressure and temperature
- Sanitisation or autoclaving requirements
- Integrity-testing and pharmaceutical documentation requirements
Compare PVDF with other capsule filter membranes
Unsure whether PVDF, PES, Nylon or PTFE is the correct membrane? Send us the fluid composition, pore size, process volume, protein-recovery requirements and connection details for technical selection support.
PVDF Membrane Capsule Filter FAQ
What is a PVDF membrane capsule filter?
A PVDF membrane capsule filter is a self-contained disposable filtration device containing a polyvinylidene fluoride membrane inside a polymer capsule housing. Hydrophilic PVDF is used for fine filtration of compatible aqueous, biological and process liquids.
Is this PVDF membrane hydrophilic?
Yes. The documented PVDF membrane is hydrophilic, making it suitable for wetting and filtration with compatible aqueous solutions.
Does PVDF have low protein adsorption?
Yes. Low protein adsorption is a documented characteristic of this hydrophilic PVDF membrane. This makes PVDF useful to evaluate for protein-sensitive filtration, although actual product recovery should be confirmed under representative process conditions.
Which PVDF capsule filter pore sizes are available?
Available pore sizes include 0.1, 0.2, 0.45, 0.65, 1.0 and 3.0 µm.
Is a 0.2 micron PVDF capsule filter available?
Yes. A 0.2 µm hydrophilic PVDF configuration is available. A nominal 0.2 µm rating alone should not be interpreted as proof of validated sterilizing-grade performance.
Can PVDF capsule filters be used for protein solutions?
PVDF can be considered for compatible protein-containing and biological solutions because the membrane has low protein adsorption. For valuable products, actual compatibility and recovery testing is recommended.
Which PVDF capsule lengths are available?
Filtra currently offers selectable 1.5-inch, 2.5-inch, 5-inch, 10-inch and 20-inch PVDF capsule configurations.
Which connection types are available?
Current Filtra options include NPT, Swagelok, CPC quick-connect, hose-barb and 1-inch Tri-Clamp / Tri-Clover configurations.
What is the filtration area of a PVDF capsule filter?
The documented compact PVDF capsule configuration provides approximately 300 cm² of filtration area. Larger capsule formats can have different effective filtration areas.
Can PVDF capsule filters be autoclaved?
The documented compact configuration supports autoclaving at 121 °C for 30 minutes over multiple cycles. Confirm the applicable sterilisation limit for the exact selected configuration.
Are PVDF capsule filters integrity tested?
The documented compact PVDF capsule range is 100% integrity tested during manufacturing. For regulated processes, confirm the applicable integrity-test method and acceptance specification for the exact filter grade.
What is the difference between PVDF and PES capsule filters?
Both are hydrophilic membrane options. PVDF is particularly useful to evaluate where low protein adsorption and product recovery are important, while PES is commonly selected for a broad range of aqueous buffer and process-liquid applications. Final selection should be based on the actual process fluid and required filtration performance.