Technical guide
Semiconductors: the requirements of cleaning in a sensitive environment
Particles, surface cleanliness, cleanroom compatibility: in a sensitive environment, cleaning is judged at a scale where the eye can no longer see anything.
In a semiconductor environment, cleanliness is not discussed at the visible scale. A particle invisible to the eye can be enough to compromise a part or a downstream process. Cleaning must therefore be designed for a different level of requirement — and a different environment — than consumer electronics.
Cleanliness that plays out at the particle scale
Where a board is judged on flux residues, a part intended for semiconductors is judged on particulate cleanliness and surface cleanliness. The aim is not only to remove a visible contaminant, but not to reintroduce one — including via the cleaning fluid, the rinse water or the drying air.
Control the whole chain, not just the washing
- Rinse water quality: insufficient rinsing leaves dissolved traces.
- Controlled drying: avoid redepositing particles or leaving marks.
- Cleanroom compatibility: equipment and flows must respect the environment.
- Repeatability: a documented, stable process that can be monitored over time.
Related products
Frequently asked questions
How does semiconductor cleaning differ from conventional electronics?
The criterion shifts from visible residues to particulate and surface cleanliness, at a much finer scale. The quality of rinsing, drying and the environment (cleanroom) becomes decisive, just like washing.
Is the cleanroom part of the process?
Yes: in a sensitive environment, the equipment, flows and immediate surroundings determine the result. A perfect cleaning can be ruined by downstream recontamination if the environment is not controlled.
Further reading
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