Filter paper

Filter paper is a semi-permeable paper barrier placed perpendicular to a liquid or air flow. It is used to separate fine substances from liquids or air.

Overview

Filter paper comes in various porosities and grades depending on the applications it is meant for. The important parameters are wet strength, porosity, particle retention, flow rate, compatibility, efficiency and capacity.

Types of Filter Paper

There are two main types of filter paper: qualitative and quantitative.

Qualitative Filter Paper

Qualitative filter paper is used in qualitative analytical techniques to determine and identify materials. It is made of cellulose and is not intended for use in quantitative analysis.

Quantitative Filter Paper

Quantitative filter paper, also known as ashless filter paper, is made of refined pulp and cotton linters that have been acid washed to remove any impurities. It is used for quantitative and gravimetric analysis.

Applications

Filter paper is used in a variety of applications including, Chemistry, Biology, Pharmaceuticals, Food and Beverage, Environmental Testing, and Air Pollution Monitoring.

See Also

• Chromatography
• Filtration
• Qualitative Analysis
• Quantitative Analysis

References

• Round filter paper
  Round filter paper
• 
  Air filter from Opel Astra
• Cutaway view of an engine oil filter
  Cutaway view of an engine oil filter
• Filter paper
  Filter paper
• Whatman filter paper
  Whatman filter paper
• Chromatography paper
  Chromatography paper