Choosing the Best Swab for Aggressive Solvents

In precision cleaning applications, swabs can be used on their own to remove contamination. MHowever, more often though swabs are used together with a solvent to remove contamination. The success of the cleaning effort depends in part on the compatibility between the swab and the cleaning solvent.  Using the wrong solvent can break down the swab head material and lead to more contamination instead of less.

Swab Head Material Compatibility

Most of the time solvent/swab compatibility is not a problem. The most common solvent for all types of cleaning is isopropyl alcohol (IPA), which is generally compatible with all types of swab materials. But sSometimes a stronger, less common, or even exotic solvent is required to remove stubborn contaminants like excess adhesive, stains, coatings, baked-on fluxes, and some biological materials.

When the swab head material starts to absorb a solvent, starts to attach the swab head material, most commonly an issue with foam, the material it will initially start to swell (most commonly an issue with foam). If the head is simply heat-staked to the handle (, melted to a single point on the front and back), it canwill tend to come loose quickly. With extended exposure to the harsh solvent, the foam willth then starts to break down and fall apart, creating a mess of particulates all over your project.

Keep in mind that standard cotton bud swabs are compatible across the board. It is sSynthetic materials that have solvent incompatibilitiesy concern, however they may be preferred for other reasons.

If you are in the process of selecting a swab, the following chart is a quick reference guide to what synthetic swab materials are compatible with which commonthe various solvents:

Key:
OK = no change with exposure
S = swelling/softening; acceptable in limited exposure might be ok if exposure is limited
X = incompatible, not recommended

Swab & Solvent Contact Time

Contact time with the between swab and solvent is a critical factor too. Some swabs are tolerant of aggressive solvents for a short period but break down over time. This is especially true when the swabs are used to apply adhesive, bonding solvent, or lubricants. Technicians often use a single swab forto make multiple applications, so the contact time is longer. The consequences are also higher because they are intentionally transferring fluid from the swab to the part.

Specific Example:

Aggressive solvents like acetone can destroy a polyurethane foam swab head. The acetone penetrates, swells and softens the foam making it very susceptible to any abrasion, tearing, shredding andwhich would shedding lots of particles and NVR (non-volatile residue). Over time the acetone will start separating the individual polymer molecules and the foam could even become sticky and leave behind residue.

However, acetone will have little or no effect on most polyester swabs. But acetone is aggressive and low in surface tension, so it can penetrate between weakly bound fibers, which may include the seams . The seams on some of the more delicate cleanroom polyester swabs may be more prone to weakening by acetone. With extended use, the swab seam may split. Coventry™ branded swabs from Chemtronics, are much stronger in both material and construction and, by design, will not be affected by acetone.

What About Swab Handles?

The swab handle material can also be susceptible to solvent attack but that is usually less critical and easily addressed by selecting swabs with polypropylene, nylon and polyethylene handles.

If ESD swab handles are required, aggressive solvents may have more of a tendency to soften the material or affect the dissipative properties. The blue material used for the Coventry ESD Swabs however is highly resistant to even aggressive solvents.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Associated links:

• Foam swabs -
  https://www.chemtronics.com/chemtronics-flextip-swabs
  https://www.chemtronics.com/chemtronics-foamtip-swabs-2
  https://www.chemtronics.com/chemtronics-super-flextip-swabs
  https://www.chemtronics.com/coventry-sealed-foam-swabs
  https://www.chemtronics.com/coventry-wrapped-foam-swabs
• Polyester swabs -
  https://www.chemtronics.com/coventry-diamond-swabs
  https://www.chemtronics.com/coventry-pillow-tip-swabs
  https://www.chemtronics.com/coventry-sealed-polyester-swabs
• ESD swabs -
  https://www.chemtronics.com/coventry-esd-static-control-swabs