What to Look For in Cleanroom Foam Swabs
Cleanroom foam swabs are the ideal way to clean and sanitize your equipment. They are available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and textures to meet your needs. Some of the features you’ll find on a quality swab are Absorbency, Textured Microfiber, Anti-static, Solvent-holding capacity, and Open-cell polyurethane foam.
Open-cell polyurethane foam
Open-cell polyurethane foam for cleanroom foam swabs is a great solution for critical sampling purposes, removal of excess production materials and cleaning grooved or recessed areas. This type of swab is cleanroom-compatible and ISO Class 4-7. It’s non-abrasive, able to absorb solvents and aqueous liquids, and can be re-used.
Foam swabs are made from 100 ppi polyurethane foam and are packaged in polypropylene plastic. These swabs are ideal for fast elution, rapid wicking and collecting large quantities of liquids. They are also well-adopted in microbiology and antigen tests.
Enviro-Swabs are made of superior grade open-cell polyurethane foam and feature a reticulated design. They are hot-wire cut and are non-silicone formulated. The swab has an internal cotton core for added sorbency.
The Texwipe TX700B Seamless Foam-Covered Cotton Swab has a cushioned cotton core and an open-cell polyurethane foam head. It is an abrasion resistant swab and can be used for a variety of industrial applications.
Cleanfoam swabs are made of open-cell polyurethane foam with low levels of non-volatile residue. These swabs are perfect for surface sampling and precision cleaning. Also, they feature low particle generation and nonvolatile residue.
These swabs are available in different sizes, ranging from small to large. Large rectangular swabs are especially handy in confined areas and offer maximum dexterity. Small open-cell swabs are good for general purpose swabbing. You can choose from a wide variety of Foamtec’s foams. All of them are manufactured in an ISO Class 4 cleanroom.
Foamtec’s cleanroom swabs are excellent for cleaning, dispersion, elution and coating. They are made to meet cytotoxicity and purity requirements, and are FDA-registered. Their products can be automated for speedy, consistent application of adhesives.
Textured microfiber
Microfiber cleanroom foam swabs are designed for precision assembly and cleaning applications. The soft textured sponges are made from fine polyester knit and feature laser cut sealed edges that ensure the wipe is free of contaminants. They are suitable for ISO 4 and above critical environments. Their tiny microfibers are able to remove even the smallest of particles.
The MiraSAT(tm) is a woven microfiber wiper that features a super durable weave. Its unique non-symmetrical microfiber structure allows for the removal of stubborn contamination. In addition, its ultrasonic sealed edge minimizes shedding. This non-abrasive swab is a great choice for all of your ultra-critical applications.
TekniSwabs are a family of high-strength, high-solvent-capacity, high-performance cleaning products suited for hard to reach areas, and are manufactured to stringent specifications. These high-quality swabs come in various standard configurations. Some of the better known models include the TekniSwab polyester knit, the TekniSwab with ESD handle, and the TekniSwab sonic swab.
ACL ESD Microfiber Foam Swabs are ideal for cleaning ESD static sensitive surfaces and medical device assembly. The wipe is made from medical grade foam wrapped in microfiber knit and is ideal for holding liquid and dry contaminants. They are designed to hold and remove lubricants, and are suitable for use in Class 100 cleanrooms.
TekniSwabs and other products by Harmony Lab & Safety Supplies are available in a variety of sizes and colors. They are stocked in an ISO Class 5 cleanroom, which means you can be assured your orders will be packaged and shipped in a controlled environment. If you are interested in more sophisticated swab types, you can also browse our selection of Teknipure, Puritan, MegaClean, and Coventry swabs.
Anti-static
Anti-static cleanroom foam swabs are used for a variety of applications. They are effective in humid conditions and can be used with a wide range of static control products. The ridged head design and rigid tip provide good swabbing performance.
Typical uses for anti-static cleanroom swabs are for cleaning printer heads, optical-electronics, semiconductors, and hard disk drives. The tips can be made from non-woven materials, conductive foam, cotton, and more. In addition, these swabs feature a thermal bonding process that eliminates the risk of contaminating adhesives and coatings.
ESD safe foam swabs are made from high-quality open cell foam that is non-abrasive and lint-free. These swabs are also available with an anti-static handle. This is particularly beneficial in sensitive areas such as keyboards and piezoelectric photo machine print nozzles.
Harmony Lab & Safety Supplies offers a number of top-notch anti-static swabs for a wide variety of uses. Some of these include:
ACL ESD Microfiber Foam Swab – ACL ESD Microfiber Foam Swab is a great choice for cleaning ESD static sensitive surfaces, such as medical devices. It is made of medical grade foam wrapped in microfiber knit. It is ideal for cleaning and applying lubricants.
ITW Texwipe TX757E – ITW Texwipe’s TX757E is an anti-static swab that is manufactured to strict tolerances. It is packaged in an anti-static bag and has a patented, inherently dissipative polymer handle.
SSTX707A – SSTX707A Large Rectangula head foam swabs are constructed of the highest quality 100 PPI polyurethane foam. They are designed to absorb solvent, solvent-based solutions, and particulate. They are particularly useful in confined spaces where a firm support is needed.
These foam swabs are packaged in silicone-free bags. They are suitable for use with all humidities, making them an ideal choice for semiconductors and optics.
Absorbency
Absorbency is essential for the use of cleanroom foam swabs. These swabs are made from medical-grade polyurethane foam and can be used with a wide variety of cleaning compounds. Foam swabs also have a non-abrasive surface and are chemical-resistant.
A cleanroom foam swab is an excellent choice for hard-to-reach areas. These swabs can be found in a variety of materials, including polyester and hydrophilic foam. They are perfect for cleaning small slots, as well as removing precision assemblies.
Polyester swabs are a synthetic fiber that offers good release properties and excellent cleaning performance. Originally developed for medical applications, they are ideal for PCR analysis and test diagnostics. Their exceptional cleanliness is an important attribute to keep in mind.
Hydrophilic foam swabs are a highly absorbent, cotton-like material that is ideal for cleaning surfaces and removing precision assemblies. Foam swabs can be used with a variety of compounds, including aqueous cleaners.
Cleanroom swabs are designed to be hygienic, so they are not susceptible to particulate contamination. The swab head is thermally bonded to the handle, and the entire surface of the swab is cleaned in a cleanroom environment. This ensures that contamination is not transferred from one part of the swab to another.
ESD swabs are specially manufactured to ensure that they do not transfer static electricity to sensitive electronics. They are most often used to clean and test components that are in a static-sensitive environment. Texwipe is an expert in supplying cleanroom products, and their swabs are available in a wide range of varieties, including ESD.