Wipers
02/01/2004
Your wiper purchase is one to take seriously, since microbial and particle contamination can lead to expensive loss of product. But no one wiper is right for all cleanroom applications. Choose one that is suitable for use in the ISO Class specification of your work environment, and one that has the properties and features essential to your cleanroom applications. Here's a sampling of the latest wipers available.
Low-cost polyester
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The Novation line of private-label supplies includes a low-cost, high-quality 9x9-inch polyester wiper. The product is laser cut, laundered, double-bagged, and available in various quantities. The company's catalog also offers a diverse mix of wipers from other leading manufacturers.
Cintas Cleanroom Resources
Cincinnati, OH
www.CintasCleanroom.com
Sterile polyester/cellulose
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Comprised of durable hydroentangled polyester/ceullulose, and sterilized using gamma irradiation, SterileSorb nonwoven wipers are designed for general purpose cleaning in sterile environments. The extra-absorbent fabric features low levels of particles and extractables. Wipers, available in 9x9-inch and 12x12-inch sizes, are packaged in peelable outer bags and linear tear inner bags. Embossed lot numbers on both bags ensure lot traceability, and sterile validation reports are available upon request.
Contec
Spartanburg, SC
www.contecinc.com
Nonwoven additions
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Anticon by Milliken has added nonwoven wipers to its portfolio, including the Matrix and Captura brands. Matrix is designed to provide what the manufacturer calls "unparalleled" wiping performance, while the Captura family are billed as the most sorbent nonwovens available.
Anticon by Milliken
LaGrange, GA
www.milliken.com
Thermally-sealed wipers
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ThermaSeal 60 hot-cut polyester wipers are for all-purpose cleaning in critical environments. Thermally-sealed edges provide fiber control. Products are available in 9x9-inch and 4x4-inch sizes, and feature what the manufacturer claims is good absorbency, wiping efficiency and abrasion resistance. Recommended for ISO Class 3-5 cleanrooms where fiber control is essential, ThermaSeal wipers are produced and packaged in an ISO Class 4 cleanroom laundry. Double-knit construction is designed for durability and allowing for rigorous wiping with minimal release of particles and fibers.
ITW Texwipe
Upper Saddle River, NJ
[email protected]
Validated wipes
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Validated sterile wipes are gamma irradiated with Cobalt-60 to a sterility assurance level of 10-6 in accordance with procedures outlined in Standard AAMI/ISO 11137-Method 1. Each shipment is lot-traceable and accompanied by Certificates of Processing and Sterility. Linear-tear packaging is designed for easy use while wearing gloves.
Lymtech Scientific
Chicopee, MA
www.lymtech.com
Testing for quality assurance
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The line of cleanroom wipers from Berkshire is subjected to test properties that contamination-control professionals identify as most critical. To ensure cleanliness, a tested wiper is "washed" in water using a biaxial shaker for five minutes. Particles released into the water are counted by a liquid-borne particle counter. By dividing the total number of particles released by the area of the wiper, results are expressed as particles ≤0.5 µm per square centimeter of wiper. Special tests are also conducted for absorbency, specific absorbency, and time to half-sorption. Purity testing includes extractables and metallic ions.
Berkshire Corporation
Great Barrington, MA
www.berkshire.com