Intergrity testing sterilizing filter is a fundamental requirement of critical process filtration applications in the pharmaceutical industry.

There are two classifications of integrity testing, destructive and non-destructive. Finetech's practice is to perform destructive testing as a lot release criteria on samples from each manufacturing lot of all fabricated sterilizing-grade filter products, and non-destructive testing on each sterilizing-grade filter prior to sale to insure its integrity. Destructive challenge testing is the best way to determine a sterilizing filter's ability to retain bacteria.

While Non-destructive testing may be done on filters before and after use. Integrity testing sterilizing filters before use monitors filter integrity prior to batch processing, preventing use of a non-integral filter. There are three types of non-destructive testing which are the bubble point test, the diffusion test, and the water flow integrity test for hydrophobic filters.