ASTM E1216-06

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:E1216–06
Standard Practice for
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Sampling for Particulate Contamination by Tape Lift
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1216; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This practice covers procedures for sampling surfaces to
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
determine the presence of particulate contamination, 5 µm and
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
larger. The practice consists of the application of a pressure-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
sensitive tape to the surface followed by the removal of
particulate contamination with the removal of the tape. The
2. Referenced Documents
tape with the adhering particles is then mounted on counting
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
slides.Countingandmeasuringofparticlesisdonebystandard
E595 Test Method for Total Mass Loss and Collected
techniques.
Volatile Condensable Materials from Outgassing in a
1.2 This practice describes the materials and equipment
Vacuum Environment
required to perform sampling of surfaces for particle counting
F312 Test Methods for Microscopical Sizing and Counting
and sizing.
Particles from Aerospace Fluids on Membrane Filters
1.3 The criteria for acceptance or rejection of a part for
2.2 Federal Standard:
conformance to surface cleanliness level requirements shall be
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Federal Standard 595 Color
determined by the user and are not included in this practice.
1.4 This practice is for use on surfaces that are not damaged
3. Significance and Use
by the application of adhesive tape. The use of this practice on
3.1 The tape lift provides a rapid and simple technique for
any surface of any material not previously tested or for which
removing particles from a surface and determining their
the susceptibility to damage is unknown is not recommended.
number and size distribution.
Ingeneral,metals,metalplating,andoxidecoatingswillnotbe
3.2 By using statistically determined sample size and loca-
damaged. Application to painted, vapor deposited, and optical
tions, an estimate of the surface cleanliness level of large areas
coatings should be evaluated before implementing this test.
can be made. The user shall define the sampling plan.
1.5 Thispracticeprovidesthreemethodstoevaluatetapelift
3.3 The sampling plan shall consider the importance of
tests, as follows:
surface geometry and surface orientation to gas flow, gravity,
Sections
obstructions, and previous history of hardware. These factors
Practice A—This method uses light transmitted through the tape 4to6 influence particle fallout and entrapment of particles on the
and tape adhesive to detect particles that adhere to it.
surface. The geometry of joints, recessed areas, fasteners, and
the correspondence of particle-count data to area can be
Practice B—This method uses light transmitted through the tape 7to9
adhesive after bonding to a base microscope slide, dissolving
maintained.
the tape backing, and a cover slide. The particles are embedded
3.4 The selection of tape and the verification of its effect on
in the adhesive, and air bubbles are eliminated with acrylic
the cleanliness of the hardware is very important. The tape
mounting media.
adhesive should have sufficient cohesion to avoid transfer of
Practice C—This method uses light reflected off the tape adhesive 10 to 12
the adhesive to the surface under test. The impact of adhesive
to detect particles that adhere to it.
transfer should be evaluated by laboratory testing before using
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
the tape on the hardware. Since potential for adhesive transfer
standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for
exists, cleaning to remove any adhesive might be required. In
information only.
addition, the tape should have low outgassing characteristics,
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This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E21 on Space For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Simulation andApplications of Space Technology and is the direct responsibility of contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Subcommittee E21.05 on Contamination. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved April 1, 2006. Published April 2006. Originally the ASTM website.
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approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as E1216 – 99 (2005). AvailablefromStandardizationDoc
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