What Are the Characteristics of Cleanroom ESD Garments?
Cleanroom garments possess two key characteristics that ordinary clothing lacks. These are detailed below:
1. They do not generate particles. Since these garments are primarily used in cleanrooms, the fabrics must be made from long-strand synthetic fibers; natural short fibers-such as those found in cotton, linen, or silk-are unsuitable. Furthermore, the synthetic filaments selected must be strictly controlled for particle generation. For instance, fully dull (matte) polyester filaments are generally unsuitable for weaving anti-static cleanroom garments, as the matting agent used in their production-titanium dioxide-can act as a source of contamination. By carefully selecting materials and evaluating potential contamination risks, it is ensured that the garments themselves do not become sources of particulate matter, thereby effectively maintaining the clean environment of the facility.
2. They offer excellent dust filtration. Dust in a cleanroom primarily originates from circulating air and the personnel working within the space. Even with advanced air-purification systems in place, achieving higher levels of cleanliness requires containing the microscopic particles generated by the human body-preventing them from passing through the fabric and entering the ambient air. This necessitates high dust-filtration efficiency, which, in turn, often requires a trade-off involving reduced breathability. Consequently, standard knitted fabrics and loosely woven textiles are not suitable for use in cleanroom environments.