What Is Cleanroom Paper?
Cleanroom paper, also known as dustproof or dust-free paper, is designed for use in cleanrooms.
It is characterized by its low dust emission, which is essential for cleanroom environments, and it also offers typical paper functions such as ease of copying, printing, and cutting.
Unlike standard copy paper and notebook paper, which emit dust particles and cannot be used in cleanrooms, most cleanroom papers are colored, often in blue or other distinctive colors, to differentiate them from regular papers.
Uses of Cleanroom Paper
Due to their low dust emission, cleanroom papers can replace regular copy paper and notebook paper in cleanrooms where dust generation is prohibited.
For instance, in semiconductor manufacturing plants, cleanroom papers are used for tables (flow charts) that detail work conditions and product types.
Some cleanroom papers are made with conductive fibers to provide conductivity. Electronic industrial products like silicon wafers and substrates are sensitive to static electricity during handling. Conductive cleanroom paper reduces the risk of static buildup and can be used as interleaving paper for such products. However, it should be tested when used as copy paper, as printing may not adhere well on certain types of copy machines.
Principle of Cleanroom Paper
Cleanroom papers are manufactured using different methods and materials compared to regular papers.
Ordinary copy paper and notebook paper are often made from short wood pulp fibers, which can shed easily and result in higher dust emissions. In contrast, cleanroom papers use long fibers that are tightly bonded to reduce dust emission.
Another distinction lies in the coloring process. Standard paper uses pigments such as calcium carbonate and titanium to achieve whiteness and opacity, which can generate dust. Cleanroom papers use liquid dyes as colorants, avoiding dust generation from pigments.
Additional measures to prevent dust emission include the use of resin to reinforce the fibers and prevent them from shedding.