Precision Cleaning

Astro Pak Corporation has a variety of clean rooms ranging from ISO class 4 (class 100 to class 1000). Astro Pak cleans using several different methods including hand detailing, ultrasonic, passivation, high pressure spray, and high temperature bake out. To validate our cleaning, we perform analytical testing such as non volatile residue (NVR), and particulate testing with custom packaging.

Hand detailing - Cleaning parts or hardware by hand using brushes, Q-tips, and/or contec wipes. This is usually done before the components or hardware enters the clean rooms for final cleaning.

Ultrasonic Cleaning - Sonic frequencies between 20 and 40 KHz, emitted through a transducer, cause expansion of gas bubbles in a liquid until they collapse within a region of high press. This cavitation results in an energy transfer capable of dislodging contaminants from a substrates surface.

Passivation - The removal of exogenous iron or iron compounds from the surface of stainless steel by means of chemical dissolution, using a treatment with an acid solution that will remove the surface contamination, but will not significantly affect the stainless steel itself. In addition, when we passivate, the process facilitates the formation of a thin, transparent oxide film that protects the stainless steel from corrosion. We utilize our aqueous based (citric) Ultra Pass ® passivation process.

High Pressure Spray - A form of mechanical or impingement cleaning that utilizes the energy of the fluid with or without detergent to dislodge contaminants from the surface being cleaned at pressure in the range of 2500-3000 PSI.

High Temperature Bake Out - A clean dry atmospheric pressure oven or dry vacuum oven. Our oven can reach the temperature of 400° F, with a pulse purge cycle of nitrogen, at the frequency rate of 4 per hour. This high temperature helps remove the non-volatile residue.

Non Volatile Residue (NVR) - The quantity of nonvolatile residue can be determined by gravimetric means, which involves weighing the dried residue in a pre-weigh aluminum foil weighing dish.

Rinse one square foot area of the component or hardware with 100ml of effluent. Place the effluent in the vortex evaporator; evaporate off 80ml and pour the remaining 20ml effluent into a pre-weighed a clean aluminum foil weighing dish that has been stored in a dessicator. Place this into a small vacuum oven and evaporate off the remaining 20ml. Now weigh the aluminum foil dish, repeat until the weigh is stable now subtracted the tare and this show you how much Non-Volatile Residue is on the part.

Particulate Testing - Particles are any solid pieces of foreign material on the surface of the component or hardware. Fibers, are solid pieces of foreign material on the surface having a length to width ratio of 10 to 1 or greater, and a length of 100 microns or greater. Fibers may be comprised of synthetic, cotton, metallic, or other materials. Fibers are a subset of particles.

Cleanliness Verification Testing
One of the standards Astro Pak is capable of precision cleaning to is the IEST - STD- CC 1246D Level 50 A/10 in which we verify non-volatile residue (NVR) to the level of 0.10 mg or lower. This is 10 times better than the standard 1.0 milligram. We also verify particulate to the size of 5 microns. To put this into perspective, this period ( . ) is approximately 300 microns. As you can see, Astro Pak has the experience to handle all your precision cleaning and cleanliness verification requirements.

Clean Assembly
We have extensive experience cleaning and assembling valves, panels and other parts. Astro Pak welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to assist your precision cleaning or assembly requirements.

Precision Cleaning
Astro Pak has many customers who employ our contract precision cleaning and Ultra Pass ® passivation service as it has proven to be a very cost effective service. Our fast response time and efficiency in processing orders allows us to provide an average turnaround time of 3-5 days with same day service also available.

Hydrostatic & Pneumatic Testing
Astro Pak performs pneumatic testing on parts such as valve hoses, pipes, gauges, bottles, panel assemblies, tubing, and tanks to pressures up to 10,000 PSI. We also conduct hydrostatic testing on parts such as hoses, pipes, bottles, tubing, and tanks to pressures up to 10,000 PSI.

Gauge Cleaning and Calibration
Astro Pak cleans a variety of gauges, bouron type, pressure differential, high pressure, low pressure, and face size from 2"- 12." After we have cleaned the gauges, if required, we have the ability to calibrate them.

Custom Packaging
Astro Pak can accommodate any of your packaging requirements for medical devices, medical parts, aerospace parts, semiconductor parts and military parts. We fabricate custom bags as necessary to fit the components we are cleaning. Typical sizes range from 1"x 1" square bags to 20'x 20'square bags or bigger. Components are also wrapped with bubble pack for further protection.

Types of Components and Equipment Serviced
Laser Parts Cleaning
Aerospace Parts Cleaning
Semiconductor Parts Cleaning
High Purity Gas Systems and Subsystems Cleaning
Medical Device Cleaning
Medical Parts Cleaning
Military Parts Cleaning
Instrument Tubing Cleaning
Food Handling Equipment Cleaning
Beverage Handling Equipment Cleaning
Pumps, Valves, Fittings, and Gauges Cleaning

Employee Qualifications and Training
Astro Pak technicians receive training in clean room precision cleaning protocol and clean assembly before they can enter the clean room or perform work on parts. Furthermore, our technicians are continuously receiving training and they must also meet Astro Pak recertification requirements every year. Finally, our technicians are continually monitored for proper clean room protocol and correct cleaning or assembly techniques.

Applicable Standards/ Approvals
For aerospace parts, military parts, and laser parts, provided is a partial list of specifications Astro Pak is approved to precision clean and assemble to:

Astro Pak Procedures
Astro Pak develops procedures by conducting meetings with customers to discuss their precision cleaning and Ultra Pass ® passivation requirements for their parts. Protocol such as precision cleaning part methods, chemical selection, acceptable test level standards and test performance techniques are all identified at that time. Further, if assembly is required then assembly drawings are reviewed as well. Once the details have been discussed, Astro Pak will write a procedure and submit it for the customer's approval. When the procedure is approved, Astro Pak technicians will perform the work by following the detailed procedures that insure proper cleaning protocol and assembly.

Quality Assurance
Our clean rooms are tested to insure that the cleanliness level is maintained and the cleanroom is completely cleaned.

The 18 meg ohm deionised water is continually monitored and is of the highest quality and purity.

Astro Pak's preventive maintenance program insures that all filters are changed and equipment calibrations are completed as required and scheduled.

Success Stories
Astro Pak Corporation was named the Department of Energy's Small Business of the Year for 2002. Additionally, Astro Pak Corporation is designated as a Key Supplier and has received an "A" grade from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Astro Pak has over 48 years of experience world wide in cleaning to numerous specifications for medical devices, medical parts, aerospace parts, semiconductor parts and military parts. We are an approved supplier to perform precision cleaning for Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, NASA, Stanley Aviation, Aerojet, Rocketdyne, BAE Systems, Air Liquide, Allied Signal Aerospace, TRW, Pratt & Whitney, (USA) United Aerospace Alliance, MSS Stennis Space Center, and Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (NIF).

Astro Pak welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to perform your precision cleaning, Ultra Pass ® passivation or assembly requirements.