Component Cleanliness Testing for Liquid Systems - Application Notes

Introduction

Contamination from fluid handling components can eventually reach the processing environment either in the form of solid particulates or, through chemical reaction, as a form of ionic contamination. Due to the cost associated with any yield impacts, components must be ensured clean prior to their use in production equipment, which will interact with the final product. Establishing a simple component test program that will confirm initial and long-term cleanliness of critical fluid handling components down to 20 nm for plastic contaminants and < 9 nm for metallic contaminates using a Particle Measuring Systems Ultra DI® 20 or Chem 20™ is discussed here. This simple step can save both time and money in the production environment by selecting the best components for the designated task.