Let’s start by understanding the materials used to make cleanroom wipes. The chart below introduces the general characteristics of the common materials used.
Wiper Material Selection
| Knit Polyester | Biosorp Wipe | Poly/Cellulose | Cotton | Foam | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleanliness | Excellent | Very Good | Good | Moderate | Good |
| Durability | Excellent | Very Good | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Water Absorption | Moderate | Excellent | Very Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Solvent Absorption | Good | Excellent | Very Good | Good | Excellent |
| Heat Resistance | Moderate | Good | Moderate | Excellent | Moderate |
| Cost | $$$ | $$ | $ | $ | $$ |
Knit Polyester
Knit polyester wipes are made with 100% continuous filament knit polyester and are sometimes referred to as woven wipes due to how they are constructed. The construction of these wipes lends themselves to have a low particle release, thus giving you a cleaner wipe. Typically offered in single knit, light weight material or double knit heavy weight material. The double knit polyester is more durable and less likely to snag. Polyester absorbs solvents well, however it absorbs water poorly. Polyester can also be cleanroom laundered in order to reach higher levels of cleanliness.
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Cotton
Cotton wipes are another woven wipe option making them very durable and absorbent . They also are the wipe with the highest heat tolerance. Cotton does have its downfalls, this material tends to break down creating lint, making it not suitable for extremely critical applications. With this in mind, cotton wipes are usually the highest in particulate release , generally making them best for cleanrooms with less restrictive air particulate requirements.
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Poly-cellulose
Poly-cellulose wipes are a non-woven wipe, they are constructed of a blend of polyester fibers and cellulose fibers. Non-woven wipes are the most common general purpose material used in cleanrooms due to their diversity. These are very popular as they blend the cleanliness of polyester, a moderate particle release, with the absorbent characteristic of cellulose.
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Biosorb
Biosorb wipes are very unique. They bridge the gap in cost and performance between Polyester and most Nonwoven wipers. They provide excellent absorption of water and solvents . These wipes are constructed of continuous filament Rayon, giving them a low particle release . These wipes also have a good heat tolerance, not as high as cotton, but higher than most other materials.
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Foam Wipes
Foam wipers are made with open-cell polyurethane, making them a non woven wipe. Foam wipers are very absorbent of chemicals and water based liquids , however they are not as durable as other cleanroom wiper materials. Similar to poly-cellulose wipes, these wipes have a moderate particle release.
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To learn more about what other factors should play into your clean room wipe decision, read our post Cleanroom wipes: How to choose what is right for you. Always remember, Angstrom supply brings you unique products and education, we want you to love what you buy. Contact us for a free sample today.
