Resources – Campagins
Virtek PTFE comparison with competitive membranes
Successfully Degass Air Bubbles in Microfluidic Devices
If you need an alternative a discontinued or hard-to-source membrane, make the switch to POREX Virtek® PTFE membranes for added benefits that are not possible with many cast or expanded membranes.
The changing global healthcare environment requires differentiated, reliable and reproducible medical materials for increased precision, accuracy and consistency in current and next-generation medical devices. POREX Virtek Medical PTFE membranes are 100% pure PTFE, maintaining the purity of PTFE along with its natural chemical resistance and other material benefits. Our portfolio of Medical PTFE membranes is performance tested and specifically designed for medical-surgical device applications with optimal airflow, bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) and fluid barrier features.
Easy to assemble due to sintered pore structure
- Omni-directional
- Safe to handle during assembly without fear of damaging
- Can be mounted inside or outside of enclosure
- No scrim or support backing required
- Wide range of bonding techniques – adhesive backing, ultrasonic, insert molding, heat welding, or mechanical clamping
Design engineered for medical-surgical device applications
- 100% pure PTFE with no interfering support layers
- Hydrophobic surface naturally sheds water
- >99.999% Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE)
- ASTM F 2638 conformity
- ETO & steam sterilization compatible
- Batch ID and date code printing available
- Broad range of flow and filtration capabilities
Contact us for more information or to request a sample of POREX Virtek Medical PTFE
POREX Virtek PTFE Membrane Comparison to Pall® Versapor® R & Versapor® Membranes
| Feature | POREX Virtek PTFE Membrane | Versapor® R Membrane | Versapor® Membrane |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naturally extremely hydrophobic | Yes | No (1) | No (1) |
| 100% pure PTFE | Yes | No | No |
| Durable sintered porous structure (2) | Yes | No | No |
| High temperature resistance (continuous up to 260°C) | Yes | No | No |
| Low thickness variation (3) | Yes | No | No |
| UL 94 flammability (V0) Certified (4) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Water naturally runs off either surface (5) | Yes | No | No |
| PFOA free | Yes (6) | ID | ID |
| Over 25 years of product availability (without reformulation) (7) | Yes | No | No |
ID = Insufficient Data
(1) Requires secondary treatment to reach highest levels of hydrophobicity – Virtek does not
(2) Virtek has no shelf life or special handling instructions while Pall states 5 years and special handling instructions on some data sheets
(3) Virtek has much tighter published thickness specifications
(4) See ul.com under Porex for complete list of UL certified products
(5) Post hydrophobic treatment required and some supporting layers may retain water even after treatment
(6) Meets REACH regulations as PFOA free
(7) Virtex has always been 100% PTFE, Versapor has discontinued and reformulated their product over the past 25 years
WITH THE DIFFERING STRUCTURES COME DIFFERENT FEATURES AND BENEFITS
| Feature | POREX Virtek PTFE | Expanded PTFE with no support* | Expanded PTFE with support* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naturally hydrophobic (IP-rated) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sintered porous structure | Yes | No | No |
| High Temperature (>260 C) | Yes | Yes | No |
| High tensile strength in all directions | Yes | No | ID |
| Precise porosity and thickness control | Yes | ID | Yes |
| High UV and outdoor weather resistance (UL 746C) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Meets UL 94 flammability (V0) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Secondary oleophobic treatment meets AATCC | Yes | ID | U |
| Water naturally runs off surface | Yes | ID | ID |
| Benefit | POREX Virtek PTFE | Expanded PTFE with no support* | Expanded PTFE with support* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low flex fatigue | Yes | No | Yes |
| Omni-directional (can be installed any direction) | Yes | ID | No |
| Heat welding | Yes | Yes | ID |
| Vibrational welding | Yes | No | No |
| Robust pore structure; safe to handle during assembly | Yes | No | ID |
| Can plate metallic or other secondary layers | Yes | ID | ID |
| Mounting inside or outside of enclosure | Yes | Yes | ID |
* There are numerous suppliers, variations and quality levels within these classes of materials and exeptions will occur.
U – Unknown
ID – Insufficient Data or can vary over life of product
Related Resources:
Datasheet:
Porex Virtek PTFE vs Pall Versapor Membrane
Demonstration video:
Comparing sintered Porex Virtek® PTFE vs expanded PTFE (ePTFE)
Learn more about typical medical PTFE applications
Infection Control
Materials for sterilization containers
Urology and Ostomy Care
Materials for urine drainage & ostomy collection systems
Drug Delivery
Materials for wearables and IV/safety catheters
Medical & Pharmaceutical Packaging
Materials for sterile container vents