Example Applications

• Water Air / Gas Filtration

  A classic application for sintered porous plastics. A depth filter which can be moulded or cut from sheet material exactly to the desired shape and size - washable and available from FDA / USP approved polymers.

• Silencing / Venting

  Sound can be attenuated (eg on pneumatic exhaust ports or on car seat systems) to safe levels whilst venting exhaust gases safely to the atmosphere. Ingress of extraneous matter is also prevented.

• Fluidisation

  Using SPC Technologies porous sheets typically >4.5mm thick (eg in hoppers and powder transport systems) a uniform distribution of air which is pressurised from below allows for even fluidisation / aeration of powders above the plate.

• Wicking

  By capillary action, liquids will travel along the pores of our porous plastic, transporting them to the required destination at a controllable rate. Used in medical diagnostic tests and equipment, and also fragrance release applications. Material is available in either natural hydrophobic, or hydrophilic form.

• Medical & Diagnostic

  Many of our products are available from FDA / USP approved polymers and are suitable for various medical applications eg self-sealing hospital vacuum canister filter valves, and filtration of bodily fluids.

• Syringe Vents

  Another application of our self-sealing material: The self-sealing plug seals immediately upon contact with blood, preventing withdrawal of excess blood and the potential risk of the blood contact to healthcare workers.

• Pipette Filters

  A naturally hydrophobic porous plastic disc is used in air displacement pipette tips, allowing air to be withdrawn while preventing air born particles from entering the pipettor. The hydrophobic nature of the material resists the flow of excess fluid once the tip is filled. The possibility of cross-contamination between samples is also reduced.

• Chromatography / SPE Frits

  In the preparation of samples for chemical analysis, our material is used in disc form as a support for the active sorbent media in SPE columns. The pore size is selected to ensure particle retention whilst maximising flow rates. Recommended materials are HDPE & UHMW PE, available in hydrophobic or hydrophilic form.

• Super-hydrophobic / Oleophobic Frits

  These are used typically during protein precipitation to support organic solvents such as acetonitrile. The solvent / serum is supported above the hydrophobic frit prior to the solution being drawn through the filter frit by vacuum. (see surface modified materials)

• Fragrance Release

  Using capillary action to draw fragrance solutions from a reservoir, the pore size, component size and geometry can be carefully selected to control the release of fragrance into the atmosphere.

• Bacterial Barrier

  Our finer materials (fine grade in >4.0mm thickness, ultra-fine grade in all thicknesses) provide an effective barrier to bacteria in many applications (typically to an efficiency of >99.9%). Please note it is the customers’ responsibility to ensure suitability for use of any of our materials through their own application-specific testing, however we can arrange BFE testing tailored to customer requirements and individual product specifications.

• Battery Vents / Flame Arrestors

  Possibly the first industrial use of porous plastics is in the application of battery vents / flame arrestors. These filters (typically a small circular porous disc) are selected to have sufficient permeability to allow the escape of Hydrogen during an over-charging situation, while preventing leakage of battery fluids and the possibility of explosion from an external ignition source. Polymers used include PE & PP.

• Sensor Protection

  Delicate sensor equipment may be protected behind our porous plastic material. While allowing the movement of gases between both sides of the material the porous plastic can protect the sensor from physical damage and dust / liquid contamination.

• Overflow Protection Filters / Clinical Suction Device Canister Valves

  Overflow Protection Filters / Clinical Suction Device Canister Valves

  Our self-sealing materials provide a dual-purpose safety valve (eg in hospital vacuum canisters) by preventing upstream contamination in vacuum systems and also preventing flow when in contact with liquid (ie when the canister is full). The filters have been shown to remove typically >99.9% of bacteria during our increased challenge BFE testing. Contact us for detailed test conditions.

• Vacuum Hold Down

  Our porous sheet materials (typically >4.5mm thick) are used to hold down work pieces in precision cutting / machining operations. A vacuum is applied to the under-surface of the sheet, holding objects placed on the working side of the sheet steady during machining or other operations.

• Dialysis Filters and Support

  Our porous materials (either in the form of a flat disc or moulded component) provide an excellent way to support dialysis media whilst maintaining efficient flow rates and offering chemical resistance against dialysis media eg sodium bicarbonate.

• Topical Applicators

  Applicators from our sintered porous PE allow precise, controlled delivery of liquids (eg sealing agents or adhesives for wound closure, drugs or cosmetics) providing consistent, leak-free application to skin or other surfaces. Our material offers advantages like self-supporting rigidity, customization, and integration into automated systems.

• Activated Carbon Retention

  Either affixed to the valve inside an aerosol device or as a retaining element in an activated Carbon cartridge, our material can provide a filter to retain the activated Carbon granules and keep them separate from the gas/propellant. The pore size can be optimised making the filter suitable for removing specific particle sizes in addition to the chemical adsorption provided by the carbon.

• Foaming Mechanisms

  Our porous materials are used internally in foaming soap dispensers. The liquid soap/water mixture is forced through the porous material, mixing it with air to create foam. The tightly controlled permeability and pore size combined to control flow and generate the desired texture of foam.