SEDL / STP / STP1181-EB / STP15950S

Evaluation of the Differences in Performing Particle Analysis with Water Instead of CFC Fluids

Welch, PJ
Materials Engineer, Materials Science Laboratory, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Kennedy Space Center, FL

Pages: 10    Published: Jan 1993

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Abstract

Most aerospace cleaning specifications require particulate analysis as part of the cleanliness verification process. Trichlorotrifluoroethane, CFC-113, is presently the test solvent of choice for cleanliness verification.

It has been proposed to use water to replace CFC-113 as the test solvent for cleanliness verification; however it has been speculated that the differences in the physical properties between the two fluids will result in significantly different results in the particle analysis.

A comparison of deionized water versus CFC-113 has been conducted for several types of sampling of components. This paper presents a description of the tests, the test results, observations, and conclusions regarding the subject.