ASTM E1731-11(2018)

Standard Test Method for Gravimetric Determination of Nonvolatile Residue from Cleanroom Gloves

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The NVR obtained by this test method is that amount which is available for release by the gloves onto handled surfaces.  
5.2 Evaporation of solvent at the stated temperature is to quantify the NVR that can be expected to exist at room temperature, since the slight difference between room temperature and the test temperature is not likely to result in significant variances.  
5.3 This method may be more aggressive than necessary to determine the suitability of cleanroom gloves that are restricted to dry operations only.  
5.4 Various other methods exist for determining NVR, for example Practice G120 and IEST-RP-CC005. This test is not intended to replace test methods used for other purposes.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of solvent extractable nonvolatile residue (NVR) from gloves used in cleanrooms where spacecraft are assembled, cleaned, or tested.  
1.2 The NVR of interest is that which can be extracted from gloves using a specified solvent that has been selected for its extracting qualities, or because it is representative of solvents used in the particular facility. Alternative solvents may be used, but since their use may result in different values being generated, they must be identified in the procedure data sheet.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2018
• ICS: 49.025.99 - Other materials
• ICS: 71.040.50 - Physicochemical methods of analysis
• Technical Committee: E21 - Space Simulation and Applications of Space Technology
• Drafting Committee: E21.05 - Contamination

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1731-11 - Standard Test Method for Gravimetric Determination of Nonvolatile Residue from Cleanroom Gloves
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2018
• Refers: ASTM E2217-12(2019) - Standard Practice for Design and Construction of Aerospace Cleanrooms and Contamination Controlled Areas
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2019
• Refers: ASTM F50-12 - Standard Practice for Continuous Sizing and Counting of Airborne Particles in Dust-Controlled Areas and Clean Rooms Using Instruments Capable of Detecting Single Sub-Micrometre and Larger Particles
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2012
• Refers: ASTM E2217-12 - Standard Practice for Design and Construction of Aerospace Cleanrooms and Contamination Controlled Areas
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2012
• Refers: ASTM G120-01(2008) - Standard Practice for Determination of Soluble Residual Contamination in by Soxhlet Extraction
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2008
• Refers: ASTM F50-07 - Standard Practice for Continuous Sizing and Counting of Airborne Particles in Dust-Controlled Areas and Clean Rooms Using Instruments Capable of Detecting Single Sub-Micrometre and Larger Particles
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2007
• Refers: ASTM E2217-02(2007) - Standard Practice for Design and Construction of Aerospace Cleanrooms and Contamination Controlled Areas
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Refers: ASTM D1193-06 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2006
• Refers: ASTM E2217-02 - Standard Practice for Design and Construction of Aerospace Cleanrooms and Contamination Controlled Areas
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2002
• Refers: ASTM G120-95 - Standard Practice for Determination of Soluble Residual Contamination in by Soxhlet Extraction
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2001
• Refers: ASTM G120-01 - Standard Practice for Determination of Soluble Residual Contamination in by Soxhlet Extraction
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2001
• Refers: ASTM G120-95(2001) - Standard Practice for Determination of Soluble Residual Contamination in by Soxhlet Extraction
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2001
• Refers: ASTM D1193-99e1 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-1999
• Refers: ASTM D1193-99 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-1999
• Refers: ASTM F50-92(2001)e1 - Standard Practice for Continuous Sizing and Counting of Airborne Particles in Dust-Controlled Areas and Clean Rooms Using Instruments Capable of Detecting Single Sub-Micrometre and Larger Particles
• Effective Date: 15-May-1992

Overview

ASTM E1731-11(2018), "Standard Test Method for Gravimetric Determination of Nonvolatile Residue from Cleanroom Gloves," is an internationally recognized ASTM standard developed to provide a consistent method for quantifying nonvolatile residue (NVR) levels that can be extracted from gloves used in controlled cleanroom environments. This standard is particularly critical in industries such as aerospace, semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and any sector where contamination control is essential for product quality and performance.

The method focuses on determining the amount of solvent-extractable, nonvolatile molecular contaminants present on glove surfaces, which may be transferred to sensitive equipment or components during handling. The process provides vital information for the assessment and selection of cleanroom gloves to ensure compliance with the stringent cleanliness requirements found in high-technology sectors.

Key Topics

• Nonvolatile Residue (NVR) Measurement: Defines the test method for assessing the residue left by gloves after exposure to a specified solvent, with results expressed either in terms of mass per unit area or mass per unit weight.
• Applicability: Intended for gloves used in environments where satellites, spacecraft, or high-tech devices are assembled, cleaned, or tested. It is especially relevant where the prevention of molecular, particulate, or outgassed contamination is critical.
• Flexible Solvent Choice: Allows alternative solvents to be used, but requires clear documentation, as results may vary. The standard solvent must meet strict purity requirements.
• Test Procedures and Accuracy: Covers procedures such as glove sampling, solvent extraction, filtration, and gravimetric residue determination under controlled conditions. It emphasizes proper blanking, accuracy of measurement, and environmental control.
• Limitations: The method may be more aggressive than necessary for gloves used strictly in dry applications and is not a substitute for other contamination assessment techniques where different parameters are required.

Applications

This standard is widely applied in the following settings:

• Aerospace and Spacecraft Assembly: Used to test and qualify gloves to ensure minimal transfer of contaminants during spacecraft assembly, cleaning, or testing. Compliance helps prevent performance degradation of sensitive equipment.
• Cleanroom Environments: Essential for industries such as microelectronics, optoelectronics, or pharmaceutical manufacturing, where even minimal molecular contaminants can compromise product functionality or quality.
• Quality Control and Supplier Qualification: Maintains stringent standards for incoming materials by certifying glove cleanliness prior to introduction into the cleanroom workflow.
• Process Validation and Contamination Control: Provides consistent metrics for tracking and reducing potential contamination sources, supporting best practices in cleanroom management.
• Regulatory Compliance: Assists facilities in meeting international contamination control protocols as referenced in ISO 14644-1 and ISO 14644-2.

Related Standards

• ASTM G120: Practice for Determination of Soluble Residual Contamination by Soxhlet Extraction
• IEST-RP-CC005: Gloves and Finger Cots Used in Cleanrooms and Other Controlled Environments
• ISO 14644-1 & ISO 14644-2: Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments - Air cleanliness classification and monitoring
• ASTM E2217: Practice for Design and Construction of Aerospace Cleanrooms and Contamination Controlled Areas
• ASTM F50: Practice for Continuous Sizing and Counting of Airborne Particles in Dust-Controlled Areas and Clean Rooms

Adhering to ASTM E1731-11(2018) for the gravimetric determination of nonvolatile residue helps organizations standardize glove selection, ensure compliance, and maintain the highest levels of cleanliness in critical cleanroom operations.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E1731 − 11 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Test Method for
Gravimetric Determination of Nonvolatile Residue from
Cleanroom Gloves
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1731; 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 Rooms Using Instruments Capable of Detecting Single
Sub-Micrometre and Larger Particles
1.1 This test method covers the determination of solvent
G120 Practice for Determination of Soluble Residual Con-
extractable nonvolatile residue (NVR) from gloves used in
tamination by Soxhlet Extraction
cleanrooms where spacecraft are assembled, cleaned, or tested.
2.2 Federal Standards:
1.2 The NVR of interest is that which can be extracted from
Fed-Std-209E Airborne Particulate Cleanliness Classes in
gloves using a specified solvent that has been selected for its
Cleanrooms and Clean Zones
extracting qualities, or because it is representative of solvents
2.3 Other Documents:
usedintheparticularfacility.Alternativesolventsmaybeused,
IEST-RP-CC001 HEPA and ULPA Filters
but since their use may result in different values being
IEST-RP-CC005 Gloves and Finger Cots Used in Clean-
generated, they must be identified in the procedure data sheet.
rooms and Other Controlled Environments
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Industrial Ventilation,AManual of Recommended Practice
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
ISO 14644-1 Cleanrooms and Associated Controlled
standard.
Environments, Classification of air cleanliness
ISO 14644-2 Cleanrooms and Associated Controlled
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Environments,Specificationsfortestingandmonitoringto
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
prove continued compliance with ISO 14644-1
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3. Terminology
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- 3.1 Definitions:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.1 contaminant, n—unwanted molecular or particulate
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
matter that could affect or degrade the performance of the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
components upon which they are deposited.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1.2 contamination, n—a process of contaminant transport
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
or accretion, or both.
3.1.3 environmentally controlled area, n—cleanrooms,
2. Referenced Documents
cleanfacilities,controlledworkareas,andotherenclosuresthat
2.1 ASTM Standards:
are designed to protect hardware from contamination. See
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
Industrial Ventilation,AManual of Recommended Practice for
E2217 Practice for Design and Construction of Aerospace
suggestions on facility operation. Cleanliness is achieved by
Cleanrooms and Contamination Controlled Areas
F50 Practice for Continuous Sizing and Counting of Air-
borne Particles in Dust-Controlled Areas and Clean
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,
Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http://
dodssp.daps.dla.mil.
1 4
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E21 on Space Fed-Std-209E has been replaced by ISO 14644-1 and -2, but may continue to
Simulation andApplications of Space Technology and is the direct responsibility of be used by mutual agreement.
Subcommittee E21.05 on Contamination. Available from the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology, 2340
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2018. Published December 2018. Originally South Arlington Heights Road, Suite 100, Arlington Heights, IL 60005-4516,
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as E1731 – 11. DOI: http://www.iest.org.
10.1520/E1731-11R18. Available from Committee on Industrial Ventilation, American Conference of
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1330 Kemper Meadow Dr., Suite 600,
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Cincinnati, OH 45240, http://www.acgih.org/about/committees/c_indvnt.htm.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1731 − 11 (2018)
controlling airborne particulate matter, temperature, relative temperature, since the slight difference between room tempera-
humidity, materials, garments, and personnel activities. Guide- tureandthetesttemperatureisnotlikelytoresultinsignificant
lines for controlled areas can be found in Practice E2217. variances.
3.1.4 high effıciency particulate air (HEPA), n—a term
5.3 This method may be more aggressive than necessary to
describing filters having an efficiency of 99.97 % for removal
determinethesuitabilityofcleanroomglovesthatarerestricted
of 0.3-µm and larger particles. For this application, filters shall
to dry operations only.
meet the requirements of IEST-RP-CC001 (2.3 and 6.1 of this
5.4 Various other methods exist for determining NVR, for
test method).
example Practice G120 and IEST-RP-CC005. This test is not
3.1.5 molecular contaminant (nonparticulate), n—may be
intended to replace test methods used for other purposes.
in a gaseous, liquid, or solid state. It may be uniformly or
6. Apparatus and Materials
nonuniformly distributed or be in the form of droplets. Mo-
lecular contaminants account for most of the NVR.
6.1 Unidirectional Airflow Work Station, 100 % exhaust, for
handling solvents. Must meet the particulate air cleanliness
3.1.6 NVR, n—that quantity of molecular matter remaining
Class 5 (100) or better in accordance with ISO 14644-1 and
after the filtration of a solvent containing contaminants, and
ISO 14644-2 (Fed-Std-209). HEPA filters in the work station
evaporation of the solvent at a specified temperature.
must not have been tested with Di-Octyl Phthlate (DOP) at any
3.1.7 particle (particulate contaminant), n—a piece of mat-
time. Filters should conform to IEST-RP-CC001 HEPA and
ter in a solid state, with observable length, width, and thick-
ULPA Filters. See Practice F50 for information on airborne
ness. The size of a particle is defined by its greatest dimension
particle counting methods. Temperature shall be controlled
and is expressed in micrometres.
within a range of 20 to 25°C and relative humidity to less than
60 %.
4. Summary of Test Method
6.2 Solvent, Acetone, Reagent grade A.C.S.
4.1 A glove to be tested is cut into several standard-sized
6.3 Analytical Balance, 0.01-mg readability, 0.1-mg preci-
pieces. The pieces are placed in a clean blanked container and
sion. Capacity to be determined by the user.
a measured volume of solvent is added to the container. (See
Note 1.)
6.4 Vacuum Filtration System, 25-mm diameter, consisting
ofamembranefilterfunnelandvacuumpumpthatwillprovide
4.2 The container is placed in a heated ultrasonic cleaner, or
a pressure of 250 torr (20 in. Hg vac.). Other size filtration
a heated water bath, and heated (and agitated if in an ultrasonic
systems may be used as needed. All items that will come in
bath) for a specific length of time, after which the pieces of
contact with solvents during analysis shall be made of glass,
glove are removed from the container.
stainless steel, or other materials that will not affect the
4.3 The solvent in the container is filtered into another clean
analysisviainducedcontamination.Anyhousevacuumsystem
container and allowed to evaporate to a low volume.
may be used.
4.4 The solvent is transferred to a clean preweighed weigh-
6.5 Solvent-Resistant Membrane Filters, Fluorocarbon,
ing dish and evaporated to a constant weight.
25-mm diameter, 0.2-µm nominal pore size. The use of
4.5 The results are expressed in mg/cm of glove surface
supported membrane filters is not recommended because of
area or in mg/unit mass of glove sections.
possible adverse effects of the solvent on support media.
4.6 Acontrolled blank shall be run on all solvents, filtration
6.6 Teflon-Coated Tweezers, or Hemostat, unserrated tips.
components, and all other equipment associated with the
6.7 Beakers, low form glass, 500 mL.
analysis. In the event that more than one determination is run
6.8 Laboratory Detergent, liquid.
the same day, additional blanks will not be necessary, but will
rely on the value from the first test.
6.9 Methanol, Reagent grade, A.C.S.
4.7 NVR samples thus obtained may be used for analysis
6.10 DeionizedWater,organicfree,TypeIIperSpecification
such as IR or FTIR to identify contaminant species if required.
D1193, with a minimum resistivity of 1.0 megohm-cm.
NOTE 1—Some cleanroom gloves are of a coated or layered construc- 6.11 Gloves, barrier type, low particle-generating, low
tion or have different textures applied to the inside and outside surfaces.
outgassing, per IEST-RP-CC005.
Because the inside and outs
...