ASTM E1216-21

Standard Practice for Sampling for Particulate Contamination by Tape Lift

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 The tape lift provides a rapid and simple technique for removing particles from a surface and determining their number and size distribution.  
3.2 By using statistically determined sample size and locations, an estimate of the surface cleanliness level of large areas can be made. The user shall define the sampling plan.  
3.3 The sampling plan shall consider the importance of surface geometry and surface orientation to gas flow, gravity, obstructions, and previous history of hardware. These factors influence particle fallout and entrapment of particles on the surface. The geometry of joints, recessed areas, fasteners, and the correspondence of particle-count data to area can be maintained.  
3.4 The selection of tape and the verification of its effect on the cleanliness of the hardware is very important. The tape adhesive should have sufficient cohesion to avoid transfer of the adhesive to the surface under test. The impact of adhesive transfer should be evaluated by laboratory testing before using the tape on the hardware. Since potential for adhesive transfer exists, cleaning to remove any adhesive might be required. In addition, the tape should have low outgassing characteristics, and as a minimum, it should meet the requirements of less than 1.0 % total mass loss (TML) and 0.1 % collected volatile condensable materials (CVCM), as measured by Test Method E595.  
3.5 Care should be exercised in deciding which surfaces should be tested by this practice. The tape can remove marginally adhering paint and coatings. Optical surfaces should not be tested until verification has been made that the surface coating will not be damaged. The minimum effectiveness of particle removal from smooth surfaces and angles down to 90° for all practice methods is 90 % for particles larger than 5 μm. Rough surface finishes result in low removal efficiencies. Surface finishes up to approximately 3.20 μm (125 μin.) have been tested and found to give satisfactory results.  
3.6 T...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers procedures for sampling surfaces to determine the presence of particulate contamination, 5 μm and larger. The practice consists of the application of a pressure-sensitive tape to the surface followed by the removal of particulate contamination with the removal of the tape. The tape with the adhering particles is then mounted on counting slides. Counting and measuring of particles is done by standard techniques.  
1.2 This practice describes the materials and equipment required to perform sampling of surfaces for particle counting and sizing.  
1.3 The criteria for acceptance or rejection of a part for conformance to surface cleanliness level requirements shall be determined by the user and are not included in this practice.  
1.4 This practice is for use on surfaces that are not damaged by the application of adhesive tape. The use of this practice on any surface of any material not previously tested, or for which the susceptibility to damage is unknown, is not recommended. In general, metals, metal plating, and oxide coatings will not be damaged. Application to painted, vapor deposited, and optical coatings should be evaluated before implementing this test.  
1.5 This practice provides three methods to evaluate tape lift tests, as follows:
Practice  
Sections  
A—This method uses light transmitted through the tape and tape adhesive to detect particles that adhere to it.  
4 to 6  
B—This method uses light transmitted through the tape adhesive after bonding to a base microscope slide, dissolving the tape backing, and a cover slide. The particles are embedded in the adhesive, and air bubbles are eliminated with acrylic mounting media.  
7 to 9  
C—This method uses light reflected off the tape adhesive to detect particles that adhere to it.  
10 to 12  
1.6 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parenthes...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2021
• ICS: 49.040 - Coatings and related processes used in aerospace industry
• ICS: 49.140 - Space systems and operations
• Technical Committee: E21 - Space Simulation and Applications of Space Technology
• Drafting Committee: E21.05 - Contamination

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: E1216 − 21
Standard Practice for
1
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 1.6 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
1.1 This practice covers procedures for sampling surfaces to
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
determine the presence of particulate contamination, 5 µm and
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
larger. The practice consists of the application of a pressure-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
sensitive tape to the surface followed by the removal of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
particulate contamination with the removal of the tape. The
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
tape with the adhering particles is then mounted on counting
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
slides.Countingandmeasuringofparticlesisdonebystandard
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
techniques.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.2 This practice describes the materials and equipment
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
required to perform sampling of surfaces for particle counting
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
and sizing.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3 The criteria for acceptance or rejection of a part for
conformance to surface cleanliness level requirements shall be
2. Referenced Documents
determined by the user and are not included in this practice.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.4 This practice is for use on surfaces that are not damaged
E595 Test Method for Total Mass Loss and Collected Vola-
by the application of adhesive tape. The use of this practice on
tile Condensable Materials from Outgassing in a Vacuum
any surface of any material not previously tested, or for which
Environment
the susceptibility to damage is unknown, is not recommended.
F312 Test Methods for Microscopical Sizing and Counting
Ingeneral,metals,metalplating,andoxidecoatingswillnotbe
Particles from Aerospace Fluids on Membrane Filters
damaged. Application to painted, vapor deposited, and optical
3
2.2 SAE Specification:
coatings should be evaluated before implementing this test.
AMS-STD-595 Colors Used in Government Procurement
1.5 Thispracticeprovidesthreemethodstoevaluatetapelift
3. Significance and Use
tests, as follows:
Practice Sections 3.1 The tape lift provides a rapid and simple technique for
removing particles from a surface and determining their
A—This method uses light transmitted through the tape and tape 4to6
number and size distribution.
adhesive to detect particles that adhere to it.
3.2 By using statistically determined sample size and
B—This method uses light transmitted through the tape adhesive 7to9
locations, an estimate of the surface cleanliness level of large
after bonding to a base microscope slide, dissolving the tape
backing, and a cover slide. The particles are embedded in the
areas can be made. The user shall define the sampling plan.
adhesive, and air bubbles are eliminated with acrylic mounting
media. 3.3 The sampling plan shall consider the importance of
surface geometry and surface orientation to gas flow, gravity,
C—This method uses light reflected off the tape adhesive to detect 10 to 12
obstructions, and previous history of hardware. These factors
particles that adhere to it.
influence particle fallout and entrapment of particles on the
1 2
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 [e-mail]. 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 Sept. 1, 2021. Published October 2021. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E1216 – 11(2016). Available from SAE International (SAE), 400 Commonwealth Dr.,Warrendale,
DOI: 10.1520/E1216-21. PA 15096
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E1216 − 11 (Reapproved 2016) E1216 − 21
Standard Practice for
1
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
1.1 This practice covers procedures for sampling surfaces to determine the presence of particulate contamination, 5 μm and larger.
The practice consists of the application of a pressure-sensitive tape to the surface followed by the removal of particulate
contamination with the removal of the tape. The tape with the adhering particles is then mounted on counting slides. Counting and
measuring of particles is done by standard techniques.
1.2 This practice describes the materials and equipment required to perform sampling of surfaces for particle counting and sizing.
1.3 The criteria for acceptance or rejection of a part for conformance to surface cleanliness level requirements shall be determined
by the user and are not included in this practice.
1.4 This practice is for use on surfaces that are not damaged by the application of adhesive tape. The use of this practice on any
surface of any material not previously tested, or for which the susceptibility to damage is unknown, is not recommended. In
general, metals, metal plating, and oxide coatings will not be damaged. Application to painted, vapor deposited, and optical
coatings should be evaluated before implementing this test.
1.5 This practice provides three methods to evaluate tape lift tests, as follows:
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E21 on Space Simulation and Applications of Space Technology and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E21.05 on Contamination.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2016Sept. 1, 2021. Published October 2016October 2021. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 20112016 as
E1216 – 11.E1216 – 11(2016). DOI: 10.1520/E1216-11R16.10.1520/E1216-21.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E1216 − 21
Practice Sections
Practice A—This method uses light transmitted through the tape 4 to 6
and tape adhesive to detect particles that adhere to it.
A—This method uses light transmitted through the tape 4 to 6
and tape adhesive to detect particles that adhere to it.
Practice B—This method uses light transmitted through the tape 7 to 9
adhesive after bonding to a base microscope slide, dissolving
the tape backing, and a cover slide. The particles are embedded
in the adhesive, and air bubbles are eliminated with acrylic
mounting media.
B—This method uses light transmitted through the tape 7 to 9
adhesive after bonding to a base microscope slide, dissolving
the tape backing, and a cover slide. The particles are embedded
in the adhesive, and air bubbles are eliminated with acrylic
mounting media.
Practice C—This method uses light reflected off the tape adhesive 10 to 12
to detect particles that adhere to it.
C—This method uses light reflected off the tape adhesive 10 to 12
to detect particles that adhere to it.
1.6 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this The
values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.6.1 Exception—The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for information only.
1.7 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E595 Test Method for Total Mass Loss and Collected Volatile Condensable Materials from Outgassing in a Vacuum
Environment
F312 Test Methods for
...