How to read a filter part number and spec sheet
Filter part numbers and product names are usually dense with encoded specifications—material, pore size, diameter, sterility, pack size. Here's how to decode them so you're comparing apples to apples.
The common encoded fields
Most manufacturer part numbers and product names pack in some combination of: material (PES, PTFE, PVDF, NY/nylon, MCE, PP, GF/glass fiber), pore rating (in µm), diameter (in mm), sterility status, and pack quantity. A name like "DISC 25MM PP 0.45UM 100/PK" is telling you diameter (25mm), material (PP), pore size (0.45µm), and pack (100 per pack)—all in the name itself.
Why this matters when comparing products
Two filters with similar-sounding names can differ in a field that matters for your application—same pore size, different material; same material, different diameter. Reading the full encoded spec, not just the product family name, is how you catch a mismatch before you order rather than after it doesn't fit your funnel or isn't compatible with your solvent.
What abbreviations commonly mean
Common abbreviations you'll encounter: PES (polyethersulfone), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), NY or NYL (nylon), MCE (mixed cellulose ester), GF (glass fiber), PP (polypropylene), NC (nitrocellulose), Supp (supported). If an abbreviation on a specific listing is ambiguous, request confirmation before ordering rather than assuming.
When the description and product family disagree
Occasionally a product's stated family or general category (e.g., "PCTE Membrane Discs") and its literal encoded description (e.g., a material code suggesting a different polymer) won't perfectly match, especially across a large catalog assembled from supplier data. Don't resolve that kind of conflict by guessing—ask for the specification sheet or confirmation before you standardize on the SKU.
What a part number can't tell you
Part numbers rarely encode extractables data, exact retention efficiency, burst pressure, or full chemical compatibility—those live in the actual specification sheet or certificate of analysis, not the name. For any application where those details matter, request the documentation rather than inferring it from the product name.
Need help decoding a specific part number?
Send us the manufacturer part number or product name and we'll help you confirm exactly what it specifies.