Issues Affecting the Selection
of a Cleanliness Measurement Method

There are a wide variety of cleanliness measurement methods available to the manufacturer. To determine which method is right for a given application many issues must be considered. Some of the issues that affect the choice of method are:

• Type of contaminates to be monitored. The method selected must be able to detect the contaminant of interest.

• Type of substrate being checked. If the part is being inspected directly, then the method must be compatable with the material being measured, without causing any damage.

• Concentration range that must be measured. The method must be able to detect the contaminants at the minimum and maximum concentration of interest.

• Accuracy and precision required (i.e. how critical is it that the parts are cleaned to specifications?). Some methods provide gross estimates of contamination, even if they can detect contamination at very low levels, while others provide very precise concentration data for evaluation. The method selected must be appropriate for the application.

• Rate that measurements must be made. Some systems can only be operated in a batch mode, while others have the ability to be automated for continuous operation. Also, the number of measurements that each type of method can complete per unit of time varies. The method selected must be able to make analyses at the desired rate.

• Budgetary limitations. The more precise and automated measurement systems tend to be very expensive. In addition, systems that accurately measure contamination directly on the part's surface tend to be extremely costly. The cost/benefit of the measurement method must be evaluated.

Continue on to the types of measurement methods page of the Cleanliness Measurement Technology Review.
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