Among the various types of cleanroom wipes, polyester and microfiber wipes are the most commonly used. The key difference lies in their material structure—polyester wipes are suitable for general cleanroom cleaning, while microfiber cleanroom wipes, due to their superior structure and performance, have become the top choice for cleaning high-sensitivity surfaces. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the core advantages of microfiber wipes and their recommended applications.
I. Core Advantages of Microfiber Cleanroom Wipes
1. Microfiber Structure
Microfiber typically has a diameter less than 0.2 dtex—hundreds of times finer than a human hair. This creates a dense fiber network with a large surface area that effectively captures submicron and even nanometer-sized dust, oil, particles, and liquids through physical adsorption and capillary action.
2. Ultra-low Particle Shedding and Linting
Advanced edge sealing methods such as laser cutting and ultrasonic sealing minimize fiber shedding and particle generation, helping prevent secondary contamination.
3. Outstanding Cleaning and Absorption Performance
The capillary effect of microfiber provides excellent hydrophilicity and absorption, allowing it to rapidly capture and retain cleaning solvents or contaminants.
4. Broad Chemical Compatibility
High-quality microfiber wipes are compatible with common cleaning solvents such as IPA (isopropyl alcohol), ethanol, acetone, and deionized water.
5. High Cleanroom Compatibility
Microfiber wipes are generally suitable for ISO Class 1000 cleanrooms and are commonly used in ISO Class 100 and higher environments.
II. Application Scenarios for Microfiber Cleanroom Wipes
1. Semiconductor & Microelectronics Manufacturing
-
Wafer Cleaning: Used before and after processes such as photolithography, etching, and deposition to clean wafer backs, trays, and carriers. Even the smallest particles can cause circuit defects or shorts.
-
Photomasks & Reticles: Delicate master patterns require ultra-gentle cleaning in high-grade cleanrooms to avoid contamination or damage.
-
Chip Packaging & Testing: Clean lead frames, substrates, sockets, and probe cards to prevent poor contact or failed tests.
-
Equipment Maintenance: Clean internal non-critical surfaces of equipment like track systems, etching chambers, ion implanters, robotic arms, and sensors.
2. Flat Panel Display (FPD) Manufacturing (LCD, OLED, Micro LED)
-
Glass Substrate Cleaning: In array, cell, and module processes, microfiber wipes remove particles and residues to avoid Mura or dead pixels.
-
Optical Films (Polarizers, Diffusers, Light Guides): Clean fingerprints and light smudges with no scratches or residue.
-
Mold & Roller Cleaning: Used to clean precision molds used for microstructure imprinting.
3. Optical Instruments & Precision Equipment
-
Optical Lenses & Glass: Clean camera lenses, microscope eyepieces/objectives, telescopic optics, projector lenses, etc. Microfibers safely remove oils, fingerprints, and dust.
-
Laser Optics & Components: Ensure clean mirrors, prisms, and filters to maintain laser transmission efficiency.
-
Precision Measuring Instruments: Wipe components of interferometers, spectrometers, microscopes, coordinate measuring machines, etc.
-
Medical Optical Devices: Clean endoscope lenses, surgical microscope optics, and various sensor windows.
4. Medical & Biotech Environments
-
High-value Surgical Instruments: Clean laparoscopic tools, implants, IVD equipment with minimal residue.
-
Laboratories & Clean Benches: Wipe petri dishes, reagent bottles, PCR equipment, centrifuge rotors inside biosafety cabinets.
-
Cell Culture & Genetic Workstations: Wipe microscope stages and biosafety cabinets to avoid particulate contamination.
5. Data Storage Devices
-
HDD Heads & Platters: Used in manufacturing and repair to clean delicate disk heads and surfaces, where any particle can cause read/write errors or crashes.
6. Aerospace & High-end Manufacturing
-
Gyroscopes & Inertial Navigation Systems: Clean precision mechanical or optical components.
-
Satellite Optics & Communication Modules: Wipe sensitive components during cleanroom assembly or maintenance.
-
Precision Mechanical Parts: Clean bearings, gears, hydraulic valve cores before assembly.
7. Cleanroom Facility Maintenance
Used as a regular wiping material for surfaces such as workstations, FFU/laminar flow units, equipment enclosures, chairs, and tools. Their low particle generation is essential for maintaining the overall cleanliness of the room.
Conclusion
Microfiber cleanroom wipes stand out for their high cleanliness level, excellent absorption capacity, low shedding, and broad solvent compatibility. They are indispensable in industries such as semiconductors, optics, biotechnology, and medical equipment manufacturing, where contamination control is mission-critical.
UST (优斯特) is a professional manufacturer of microfiber cleanroom wipes in China, offering sample testing services to help clients validate product performance and ensure risk-free procurement.