ASTM E1343-90 (2001) PDF

Full title and description

Standard Test Method for Molecular Weight Cutoff Evaluation of Flat Sheet Ultrafiltration Membranes — designated ASTM E1343-90 (reapproved 2001). The method describes a laboratory procedure to evaluate the molecular weight cutoff (MWCO) of flat-sheet ultrafiltration membranes using nonadsorbing test penetrants and gel-permeation/HPLC analysis to compare feed and permeate molecular-weight distributions.

Abstract

ASTM E1343-90(2001) defines a reproducible bench-scale test to determine the MWCO of flat-sheet ultrafiltration membranes (nominally covering the range from about 4 500 to 1 000 000 daltons). The method uses calibrated dextran fractions (and associated gel-permeation analysis) under controlled low-transmembrane-pressure conditions to minimise fouling and polarization, producing a characteristic rejection vs. molecular-mass curve used to report MWCO values for material comparison and characterization. The standard was later withdrawn.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (withdrawal action recorded February 2010).
• Publication date: Original designation 1990; current edition/reapproval dated May 10, 2001 (listed as E1343‑90R01 / 2001 reapproval).
• Publisher: ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials).
• ICS / categories: Laboratory apparatus and related apparatus — ICS code cited in catalog listings as 71.040.20.
• Edition / version: E1343‑90 (R2001) — shown as the 1990 standard reapproved in 2001.
• Number of pages: 9 pages (catalog listing).

Scope

This test method covers evaluation of MWCO for flat-sheet ultrafiltration membranes with nominal cutoffs between approximately 4 500 and 1 000 000 daltons. It is intended for membrane materials that do not strongly adsorb the dextran test penetrants; it is not applicable to microfiltration membranes with pore sizes ≥0.01 μm nor to reverse‑osmosis or dialysis membranes with MWCO below the lower stated limit. The method can be adapted to extend the MW range in special cases but is written for flat-sheet ultrafiltration membranes and excludes membrane substrates that strongly adsorb the chosen test polymers.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and purpose of molecular weight cutoff (MWCO) for ultrafiltration membrane comparison and characterization.
• Use of non‑fouling dextran T‑fractions (multiple molecular-mass fractions such as T‑10, T‑40, T‑70, T‑500) as test penetrants.
• Test apparatus: stirred flat‑membrane ultrafiltration cell (e.g., modified Amicon stirred cell), low transmembrane pressure operation, controlled temperature bath, pulse dampener, peristaltic/diaphragm pumping and accurate flow measurement.
• Analytical method: gel‑permeation chromatography / HPLC (with appropriate detectors and calibration) to compare molecular‑weight distributions of feed and permeate and calculate rejection vs. molecular mass.
• Test procedure elements: membrane rinsing/preparation, steady flux control (very low flux rates to reduce polarization), collection of permeate and feed samples, computation of rejection slices and plotting rejection as a function of molecular mass to determine MWCO.
• Limitations and precautions: not valid for membranes that adsorb dextrans; low recovery/pass and low pressures are chosen to reduce fouling effects; correlation with field performance depends on feed/fouling conditions and may be limited.

Typical use and users

Used primarily by membrane manufacturers, membrane R&D laboratories, academic researchers studying membrane characterization, and quality‑control or validation laboratories that compare intrinsic MWCO properties of flat-sheet ultrafiltration membranes. The method is intended as a comparative laboratory assay rather than a direct substitute for operational performance testing on a specific feed stream.

Related standards

ASTM E1343 is part of the family of ASTM methods and guides addressing membrane characterization, filtration testing, and biotechnology/membrane process validation under Committee E48 (Biotechnology) and related committees. Users should consult the ASTM database for currently active/replacement standards for MWCO and membrane performance testing, since E1343 was withdrawn and may have been superseded or replaced by later/alternative procedures.

Keywords

molecular weight cutoff; MWCO; ultrafiltration; flat sheet membrane; dextran; gel permeation chromatography; HPLC; membrane characterization; membrane testing; ASTM E1343.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM E1343‑90(2001) is a standard test method that described laboratory procedures to evaluate the molecular weight cutoff of flat‑sheet ultrafiltration membranes using dextran test penetrants and gel‑permeation/HPLC analysis.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers bench‑scale evaluation of MWCO for flat‑sheet ultrafiltration membranes (nominal range ~4 500 to 1 000 000 daltons), detailing apparatus, reagents (dextran fractions), analytical techniques, test conditions, and data analysis for rejection versus molecular mass.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Membrane manufacturers, R&D and analytical laboratories, membrane performance researchers, and QC/validation groups that need a reproducible laboratory comparison of membrane intrinsic MWCO characteristics.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: It has been withdrawn (withdrawal recorded February 2010). Users should not assume it is an active ASTM standard and should check the ASTM standards catalogue for any active replacement or more recent MWCO test methods.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: E1343 sits within ASTM’s body of standards related to biotechnology and membrane testing (Committee E48 jurisdiction historically). It is one of several ASTM methods/guides dealing with membrane evaluation; consult ASTM committee listings for related designations and updates.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include molecular weight cutoff (MWCO), ultrafiltration, flat sheet membrane, dextran, gel permeation chromatography, HPLC, membrane testing, ASTM E1343.