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.
- Economical
- Meet NIOSH and OSHA method specifications for monitoring airborne metals, and other fibres
- Biologically inert
- Complete dissolution and clearing
- Purity — low artifacts
- Minimal interference in fibre counting
- Standard digestion procedures
- Gridded filters for fibre counting
- Ideal for air monitoring, AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy analysis), ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma analysis) and transmitted light microscopy applications
- NIOSH is using MCE membranes to study nanoparticle morphology and elemental makeup
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. Specifically Part number 225-19 is most commonly used with the IOM and the specifications match those referenced in a significant number of MDHS's.
Asbestos Fibres — NIOSH 7400, OSHA ID160
MCE pore structure collapses when exposed to acetone vapour and offers minimal interferences in fibre counting. This makes it highly suitable for the collection and analysis of asbestos and other fibres. See Preloaded MCE filters for asbestos.
Additional applications include monitoring for some pesticides and fluorides. See the SKC Air Sampling Guides for further applications.
| Diameter (mm) |
Pore Size (µm) |
Support Pad included † |
Notes |
Pack Size |
Part Number |
| 13 |
5.0 |
No |
Use with Mini-Sampler |
100 |
225-8050 |
| 25 |
0.45 |
No |
|
100 |
225-1911 |
| 25 |
0.8 |
No |
Use with IOM Sampler |
100 |
225-1930 |
| 25 |
0.8 |
Yes |
Use with IOM Sampler |
100 |
225-19 |
| 25 |
0.8 |
No |
Black grid, principally used for asbestos sampling in UK |
100 |
225-1913 |
| 25 |
1.2 |
No |
Cellulose, ashless, recommended for use with the Button Sampler |
100 |
225-1912 |
| 34 |
0.45 |
No |
|
50 |
225-1932 |
| 37 |
- |
No |
Cellulose, ashless, Type 40 |
500 |
225-18B |
| 37 |
- |
No |
Cellulose, ashless, Type 4 |
500 |
225-18A |
| 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 for Gravimetric Determination
Matched-weight MCE filter pairs are certified as matched in weight to within 50 µg. Load the filters into a cassette; the top filter collects the contaminant, the bottom filter acts as a control. No preweighing or conditioning is required. After sampling, both filters are weighed and the difference between weights is the sample weight.
| Diameter (mm) |
Filter Specifications |
Pack Size |
Part Number |
| 37 |
MCE, 0.8 µm, matched-weight within 50 µg, filter pairs only,
not in preloaded cassettes |
50 Pairs |
225-532 |
| 47 |
MCE, 0.8 µm, matched-weight within 50 µg, filter pairs only,
not in preloaded cassettes |
50 Pairs |
225-531 |
Pre-loaded Solu-CAP® MCE Filter Inserts
Solu-CAP inserts are dome-shaped filter capsules moulded of clear static-dissipative dissoluble cellulose acetate that are heat-sealed to a filter; the entire sampler is completely soluble following NIOSH Method 7300 digestive procedure. Solu-CAPs are supplied preloaded in two-piece SKC Cassettes with support pads. The Solu-CAP captures all partiles for metal analysis, and eliminates the need to wipe cassette walls for analysis. Solu-CAPs are ideal for metal determinations and provide for the inclusion of non-filter deposits as specified in several NIOSH elemental analytical methods.
| Diameter (mm) |
Pore Size (µm) |
Cassette Description |
Pack Size |
Part Number |
| 37 |
0.8 |
2-piece, clear styrene |
50 |
225-8517 |
Speciality MCE Filters for the Respicon™ Sampler
| Diameter (mm) |
Pore Size (µm) |
Support Pad included † |
Notes |
Pack Size |
Part Number |
| 37 |
0.8 |
No |
with hole for Respicon Sampler |
100 |
225-1941 |
| 37 |
0.5 |
No |
with hole for Respicon Sampler |
100 |
225-1922 |
† Filter supports available
Preloaded MCE Filters
All SKC preloaded filters include supports and are in SureSeal leak-free cassettes that require a SureSeal Cassette Opener.
| Diameter (mm) |
Pore Size (µm) |
Cassette Description |
Pack Size |
Part Number |
| 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 fibre 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
500 |
225-3-01
225-3-01A |
| 37 |
0.8 |
3-piece clear styrene, not banded |
50 |
225-3-01NB |
| SureSeal Cassette Opener, for opening 25 or 37 mm SureSeal cassettes |
225-13-5A |
Preloaded Matched-weight MCE Filter Cassettes
All SKC preloaded filters include supports and are in SureSeal leak-free cassettes that require a SureSeal Cassette Opener.
| Diameter (mm) |
Cassette Description |
Filter Specifications |
Matched Weight |
Pack Size |
Part Number |
| 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 |
| SureSeal Cassette Opener, for opening 25 or 37 mm SureSeal cassettes |
225-13-5A |
Nano-Neat MCE Filter Cassettes
Ultra-pure for sampling workplace chromium. Cassettes are tinted purple for east identification. Each box contains a Certificate of Conformance. All SKC preloaded filters include supports and are in SureSeal leak-free cassettes that require a SureSeal Cassette Opener
| Diameter (mm) |
Cassette Description |
Filter Specifications |
Pack Size |
Part Number |
| 25 |
2-piece purple styrene, banded |
0.8 µm MCE, Nano-Neat |
50 |
225-8402 |
| 25 |
3-piece purple styrene, banded |
0.8 µm MCE, Nano-Neat |
50 |
225-8404 |
| 37 |
2-piece purple styrene, banded |
0.8 µm MCE, Nano-Neat |
50 |
225-8408 |
| 37 |
3-piece purple styrene, banded |
0.8 µm MCE, Nano-Neat |
50 |
225-8410 |
| SureSeal Cassette Opener, for opening 25 or 37 mm SureSeal cassettes |
225-13-5A |
