ASTM E1216-11

Standard Practice for Sampling for Particulate Contamination by Tape Lift

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The tape lift provides a rapid and simple technique for removing particles from a surface and determining their number and size distribution.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
This practice has been tested only on surfaces at room temperature. Evaluation of temperature effects must be conducted prior to using the test on surfaces other than room temperature. ...
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:
  Sections   Practice AThis method uses light transmitted through the tape
and tape adhesive to detect particles that adhere to it.4 to 6   Practice BThis 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   Practice CThis method uses light reflected off the tape adhesive
to detect particles that adhere to it.10 to 12
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2011
• 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

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1216-06 - Standard Practice for Sampling for Particulate Contamination by Tape Lift
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM F51/F51M-20 - Standard Test Method for Sizing and Counting Particulate Contaminant In and On Clean Room Garments
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2312-11(2019) - Standard Practice for Tests of Cleanroom Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D7659-21 - Standard Guide for Strategies for Surface Sampling of Metals and Metalloids for Worker Protection
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2352-19 - Standard Practice for Aerospace Cleanrooms and Associated Controlled Environments—Cleanroom Operations
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2217-12(2019) - Standard Practice for Design and Construction of Aerospace Cleanrooms and Contamination Controlled Areas
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E1548-09(2022) - Standard Practice for Preparation of Aerospace Contamination Control Plans
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2088-06(2021) - Standard Practice for Selecting, Preparing, Exposing, and Analyzing Witness Surfaces for Measuring Particle Deposition in Cleanrooms and Associated Controlled Environments
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D7602-11(2017) - Standard Practice for Installation of Vulcanized Rubber Linings
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E1216 − 11
StandardPractice 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 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
1.1 This practice covers procedures for sampling surfaces to
standard.
determine the presence of particulate contamination, 5 µm and
1.6.1 Exception—Theinch-poundunitsgiveninparentheses
larger. The practice consists of the application of a pressure-
are for information only.
sensitive tape to the surface followed by the removal of
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
particulate contamination with the removal of the tape. The
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tape with the adhering particles is then mounted on counting
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
slides.Countingandmeasuringofparticlesisdonebystandard
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
techniques.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2 This practice describes the materials and equipment
required to perform sampling of surfaces for particle counting 2. Referenced Documents
and sizing. 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E595 Test Method for Total Mass Loss and Collected Vola-
1.3 The criteria for acceptance or rejection of a part for
tile Condensable Materials from Outgassing in a Vacuum
conformance to surface cleanliness level requirements shall be
Environment
determined by the user and are not included in this practice.
F312 Test Methods for Microscopical Sizing and Counting
1.4 This practice is for use on surfaces that are not damaged
Particles from Aerospace Fluids on Membrane Filters
by the application of adhesive tape. The use of this practice on
2.2 Federal Standard:
any surface of any material not previously tested or for which
3
Federal Standard 595 Color
the susceptibility to damage is unknown is not recommended.
Ingeneral,metals,metalplating,andoxidecoatingswillnotbe
3. Significance and Use
damaged. Application to painted, vapor deposited, and optical
3.1 The tape lift provides a rapid and simple technique for
coatings should be evaluated before implementing this test.
removing particles from a surface and determining their
1.5 Thispracticeprovidesthreemethodstoevaluatetapelift
number and size distribution.
tests, as follows:
3.2 By using statistically determined sample size and
Sections
locations, an estimate of the surface cleanliness level of large
Practice A—This method uses light transmitted through the tape 4to6 areas can be made. The user shall define the sampling plan.
and tape adhesive to detect particles that adhere to it.
3.3 The sampling plan shall consider the importance of
Practice B—This method uses light transmitted through the tape 7to9
surface geometry and surface orientation to gas flow, gravity,
adhesive after bonding to a base microscope slide, dissolving
obstructions, and previous history of hardware. These factors
the tape backing, and a cover slide. The particles are embedded
influence particle fallout and entrapment of particles on the
in the adhesive, and air bubbles are eliminated with acrylic
mounting media.
surface. The geometry of joints, recessed areas, fasteners, and
the correspondence of particle-count data to area can be
Practice C—This method uses light reflected off the tape adhesive 10 to 12
maintained.
to detect particles that adhere to it.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E21 on Space contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Simulation andApplications of Space Technology and is the direct responsibility of Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Subcommittee E21.05 on Contamination. the ASTM website.
3
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2011. Published October 2011. Originally Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as E1216 – 06. DOI: Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http://
10.1520/E1216-11. dodssp.daps.dla.mil.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1216 − 11
3.4 The selection of tape and the verification of its effect on 4.3 Nonlinting Gloves, specially clea
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:E1216–06 Designation: E1216 – 11
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:
Sections
Practice A—This method uses light transmitted through the tape 4to6
and tape adhesive to detect particles that adhere to it.
Practice B—This method uses light transmitted through the tape 7to9
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.
1.6The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for information
only.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
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 Microscopical Sizing and Counting Particles from Aerospace Fluids on Membrane Filters
2.2 Federal Standard:
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 April 1, 2006. Published April 2006. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as E1216–99 (2005). DOI:
10.1520/E1216-06.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2011. Published October 2011. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as E1216 – 06. DOI:
10.1520/E1216-11.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book ofASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1216 – 11
3
Federal Standard 595 Color
3. 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.
...