Wipes

Cleanroom wipes are essential tools in controlled environments like semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, aerospace, and other industries where maintaining a clean and sterile environment is critical. Different materials are used to make cleanroom wipes, each with specific properties suited for various tasks. Some common cleanroom wipe materials include:

• Polyester: Polyester cleanroom wipes are made from continuous filament polyester fibers. They are low in particles and fibers, providing excellent cleanliness and abrasion resistance. Polyester wipes are suitable for general cleaning purposes and critical wiping tasks in cleanrooms.
• Polypropylene: Polypropylene cleanroom wipes are made from 100% melt-blown polypropylene fibers. They offer high absorbency, low particle generation, and chemical compatibility. These wipes are often used for absorbing spills and cleaning sensitive surfaces.
• Microfiber: Microfiber cleanroom wipes are made from ultrafine synthetic fibers, usually a blend of polyester and polyamide. They are known for their high absorbency and ability to capture and trap smaller particles effectively. Microfiber wipes are suitable for wiping delicate surfaces without scratching them.
• Cellulose: Cellulose cleanroom wipes are made from natural wood pulp fibers and synthetic binders. They are soft, absorbent, and non-abrasive, making them suitable for gentle cleaning of surfaces and equipment. Polyester fibers are often added (commonly called ""poly-cellulose"") to increase the strength of the material, especially when wet.
• Cotton: Cotton cleanroom wipes are made from natural cotton fibers. They are soft and absorbent, but they can produce more particles compared to synthetic materials, making them less common in critical cleanroom applications.
• Knit: Knit cleanroom wipes are made by knitting together synthetic fibers. They are strong, soft, low-linting, and provide good wiping performance.
• Nonwoven: Nonwoven cleanroom wipes are made from fibers that are mechanically or chemically bonded together without weaving. They come in various materials, such as polyester, cellulose, polypropylene, rayon, and blends, offering different levels of absorbency and cleanliness.

When choosing a cleanroom wipe material, consider factors such as the level of cleanliness required, compatibility with cleaning agents, absorbency, abrasion resistance, and the type of surfaces to be cleaned. Different cleanroom classifications and applications may demand specific materials to meet their cleanliness and contamination control needs.

Proper cleanroom wiping techniques are essential to maintain the cleanliness and integrity of the controlled environment. Cleanrooms are used in various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, aerospace, and biotechnology, where even the tiniest contaminants can be detrimental to the processes or products being produced. Here are some key steps and guidelines for cleanroom wiping:

1. Use the right materials: Select appropriate wiping materials that are compatible with the cleanroom environment. Common materials include non-woven wipes, microfiber wipes, and polyester wipes. They should have low particle generation, low linting, and be free from contaminants.
2. Wear proper cleanroom attire: Before starting any wiping procedure, ensure you are wearing the appropriate cleanroom garments, including gloves, a gown, and a face mask, to prevent the introduction of particles and skin oils.
3. Prepare the wiping solution: If a wiping solution is necessary, use a cleanroom-approved cleaning agent. Some cleanrooms use isopropyl alcohol or other specialized cleaning solutions. Ensure the solution is properly diluted according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
4. Follow a wiping pattern: Adopt a systematic wiping pattern to ensure complete coverage of the area. Start from the cleanest area and work towards the dirtier zones. Avoid cross-contamination between different surfaces.
5. Use gentle pressure: Apply only light pressure while wiping to avoid damaging sensitive surfaces or releasing particles into the air.
6. One-directional wiping: Whenever possible, use one-directional wiping, moving from one side to the other, to prevent particles from being redistributed.
7. Change wipes regularly: Replace wipes frequently to avoid spreading contaminants. Dispose of used wipes properly according to cleanroom protocols.
8. Avoid wiping overhead surfaces: Wiping overhead surfaces can release particles downward, contaminating lower surfaces. Use alternative cleaning methods for these areas.
9. Follow cleanroom class-specific protocols: Different cleanrooms have different cleanliness classifications (ISO Class 1 to 9, for example), each with its specific protocols. Ensure you follow the appropriate procedures for your cleanroom class.
10. Perform regular training: All cleanroom personnel should receive proper training on cleanroom wiping techniques to ensure consistency and effectiveness.

Always adhere to the cleanroom's specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines while performing any cleaning tasks. Proper cleaning and wiping techniques are critical to maintaining a controlled environment and ensuring the quality of products or processes within the cleanroom.

Cleanroom wipes, also known as cleanroom wipers, are specialized cleaning materials used in environments that require high levels of cleanliness and contamination control. These environments are typically found in industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, aerospace, medical device manufacturing, and other fields where even minute particles or contaminants can negatively impact the final product or research outcomes.

Cleanroom wipes are designed to be low-linting, non-abrasive, and made from materials that minimize the release of particles or fibers. They come in various sizes and materials, including polyester, microfiber, polypropylene, cellulose, and blends of these materials. The choice of material depends on the specific cleaning requirements of the cleanroom or controlled environment.

Some key features and characteristics of cleanroom wipes include:

• Low Particulate Generation: Cleanroom wipes are manufactured to have low particle and fiber release to avoid contamination of sensitive equipment and products.
• Absorbency: They are designed to efficiently absorb liquids and clean surfaces without leaving residues or streaks.
• Non-scratching: Cleanroom wipes are soft and non-abrasive to prevent damage to delicate surfaces or equipment.
• Compatibility: Some cleanroom wipes are pre-saturated with cleaning solutions that are compatible with the specific requirements of the cleanroom environment.
• Cleanroom Classification: Cleanroom wipes are available in different classes based on their particle generation and cleanliness level. The class designation corresponds to the ISO cleanroom classification system, such as ISO Class 1, Class 10, Class 100, etc., indicating the number of particles allowed per cubic meter of air.

Solvent compatibility is another factor to consider when choosing a wipe. If the wipe is to be used with a solvent in the cleaning application, then the wipe must be selected with the solvent in mind. Solvent retention and absorbency may also be required. The wipe must the able to absorb a given solvent and retain the solvent within the fabric of the wipe for a sufficient amount of time, without premature release of the solvent. Knitted polyester and nylon wipes have the highest compatibility with a wide range of organic solvents and weak acids. Coventry Poly-Wipes and Cleanroom Chamois have good absorbency, excellent durability when cleaning rough surfaces, and low ionic and organic residue contamination. The polyester/cellulose blended Chemtronics Controlwipes and Coventry Econowipes have excellent resistance to solvents and weak acids, good durability when cleaning rough, abrasive surfaces, high particle entrapment and low particle and ionic contamination.  They are an economical choice for general cleaning and spill clean-up.

Any wipe will produce particulates depending on the amount of abrasion it receives in use, so abrasion resistance should be considered. Wipes usually release the most particulates from their edges, so using a sealed-edge wipe will greatly reduce the particulate burden.  Heat cutting is a common method of creating a sealed edge. A hot knife cuts the edge and simultaneously fuses all the loose ends on the wipe, as in the Coventry Poly-Wipes. The texture of the wipe should also be considered when critical or sensitive surfaces are involved in the application. Some wipes can abrade some critical coated optical surfaces and should therefore be avoided in such applications. Chemtronics Twillwipes (C900) are knit cotton wipers that are also very good on abrassive surfaces.

Chemtronics general purpose wipes are meant to be used for wiping and in non-critical or controlled environments. By cleanroom standards, Chemtronics general purpose wipes would be acceptable in Class 10,000 cleanrooms or in “controlled environments”. Chemtronics ControlWipes (C910) and Coventry Econowipes (6709) have a non-woven blend of polyester and cellulose, with the best properties of each. The cellulose gives it good solvency and strong cleaning strength, and polyester it gives it good wet strength and then a high degree of cleanliness. Because of absorbency, strength, and lower cost, TechClean Wipers are commonly used in electronic assembly on SMT stencils for removing solder pastes and adhesives.

Cleanroom wipes used for critical applications are almost always knitted synthetic fibers. Knitted polyester fabric, like used for Coventry Poly-Wipes (part #6209), is the most popular wipe material for cleanrooms. Knitted polyester is made clean, contaminants can easily be removed from knitted polyester in a cleanroom laundry, and polyester is relatively inexpensive. Non-woven wipes do not offer the advantage of ease in cleaning as their composition causes them to disintegrate in a cleanroom washing machine or cleanroom drier.