Category Archives: Knowledge Base

Particles on Surfaces: Part 1 – Next to Godliness

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Surely cleanrooms qualify. Air filtered everywhere. Operators garbed from head to foot with only a portion of their faces exposed.  Spotless stainless steel and plastic surfaces everywhere. No paper or cardboard anywhere. Manufactured product protected. Surely this is cleanliness next to Godliness. Appearances are deceiving. Despite the advances made in the High Efficiency Particle Air [Read More…]

Powder Coating: Surface Preparation Solutions

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The Customer An aluminum wheel manufacturer is currently using Choice® SuperSorb 12×12″ (30x30cm) disposable wipes for their powder coating applications. The Applications Oil, aluminum oxide and other contaminants in the pre-treatment (surface preparation) process can adversely affect the quality of the final product. Wiping down the bare metal after cleaning and prior to coating will [Read More…]

Proper Cleanroom Wiper Folding & Surface Cleaning Poster

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DOWNLOAD POSTER: An updated guide to properly folding and utilizing a low-linting wiper for maximum cleaning efficiency in a cleanroom, controlled or critical environment.

Pre-Wetted Wipers Optimized for Application-Specific Cleaning

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HERE’S A LOOK at the three optimum isopropyl alcohol (IPA) concentrations found in pre-wetted cleanroom wipers. What is the Optimum IPA Concentration based on your specific application? This Technical Brief presents an overview of: Cleaning liquids: Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) Flammability ratings Transportation and storage concerns Healthcare vs. Microelectronics cleaning applications Volatile Organic Carbons (VOCs) Thank you [Read More…]

Big Problems with Small Ions

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The Issue Of Ion Contamination In Electronics Manufacturing Processes Is Of Critical Importance. Therefore It Is Incumbent On Manufacturers To Be Vigilant In Detecting And Minimizing Ionic Contamination. By Howard Siegerman, Ph.D BIG PROBLEMS WITH SMALL IONS THE ISSUE OF ION CONTAMINATION in microelectronics is of critical importance because electronic device failures have been directly linked [Read More…]

Why Is Isopropyl Alcohol the Choice for Cleanroom Cleaning?

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ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL (IPA) is widely accepted as a good liquid for keeping cleanroom surfaces in pristine condition. But what about methyl, ethyl, or butyl alcohol? Why aren’t these types of alcohols considered for cleanroom cleaning, too? It all comes down to performance, safety, and price. Methyl Alcohol And Evaporation At room temperature, methyl alcohol has three [Read More…]

Cleanroom Supply Standards in Aseptic Manufacturing Environments

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IF YOU ARE MANUFACTURING in an aseptic environment, it’s important for your cleanroom supplies to be sterilized with a validated process. This whitepaper, written by Lynn Stanard, Berkshire’s Senior Quality Manager, will help you understand the sterilization methods used by consumables suppliers and what to look for when procuring supplies Sterile Cleanroom Management This whitepaper provides [Read More…]

How and When to Use Bleach in Cleanroom Cleaning

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HOUSEHOLD BLEACH is well known for its ability to remove stains and whiten clothes during laundering. Bleach also finds application in health care facilities with cleanrooms. Such applications include aseptic pharmaceutical suites, biomedical device manufacturing and compounding pharmaceutical facilities that require the biocidal and sterilant capabilities of bleach. Bleach solutions, which are active against bacteria, viruses, [Read More…]

Should Cleanroom Cleaning Supplies Come From a Hardware Store?

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YOU CAN BUY SOLVENTS like acetone and turpentine from a hardware store, but you really shouldn’t. Solvents sold in the hardware store are not refined to the level required for cleanroom cleaning. When applied to surfaces, the hardware store variety of solvents will leave visible residues behind after they have evaporated. Cleaning With Acetone Or Turpentine [Read More…]

Phenolic Solutions: Are They Cleaners or Disinfectants?

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THOUGH PHENOLIC SOLUTIONS are often referred to as “cleaning solutions,” they actually deviate somewhat from the typical cleaning solution. Generally, cleaning solutions are characterized by their ability to remove soils (contaminants) from surfaces. Phenolic solutions don’t really do this. Cleaning solutions remove soils from surfaces by lowering the surface tension of the thin water layer that [Read More…]