PRC-5001

Process Specification for Cleaning of

Hardware

Engineering Directorate

Structural Engineering Division

June 2020

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Houston, Texas

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 PRC-5001

Process Specification for Cleaning of Hardware

Prepared by: Signature on File 6/5/2020

Erica Worthy Date
Materials and Processes
Branch/ES4

Reviewed by: Signature on File 6/5/2020

Michael Pedley Date
Materials and Processes
Branch/ES4

Approved by: Signature on File 6/18/2020

Brian Mayeaux Date
Materials and Processes
Branch/ES4

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REVISIONS
REVISION DESCRIPTION DATE
-- Original version 5/96
A PRC reviewed and updated for accuracy. Author change. 8/5/99

B Author change and replaced CFC-113 with HFE-7100 01/02/01

in Section 6.0
C General changes due to reorganization (changed EM to ES, 2/20/04
MMPTD to SED, Manufacturing, Materials, and Process
Technology to Structural Engineering. PRC updated and
reviewed for accuracy.
D Updated Organizational Changes and updated for accuracy. 1/30/06
E Major Revision and updated for accuracy. 7/2/2008
F PRC was revised to add new requirements and 2/28/2011
updated for accuracy

G Updated Organizational changes. Major document revision 6/03/2020

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 SCOPE ........................................................................................................................................... 4
2.0 APPLICABILITY.............................................................................................................................. 4
3.0 USAGE ........................................................................................................................................... 4
4.0 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................... 5
5.0 MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................ 6
5.1 Cleanliness Levels ...................................................................................................................... 7
5.2 Non-Precision Cleanliness Levels ............................................................................................... 7
5.3 Precision Cleanliness Levels ....................................................................................................... 8
5.4 Specifying Cleanliness Level ....................................................................................................... 8
5.5 Cleaning ...................................................................................................................................... 9
5.6 Rough Cleaning........................................................................................................................... 9
5.7 Precision Cleaning .................................................................................................................... 10
5.8 Special Cleaning Processes ...................................................................................................... 10
5.9 Cleaning Compatibility ............................................................................................................... 10
5.12 Test Fluids for Precision Cleanliness Verification .................................................................... 12
5.13 Drying and Testing Gas ........................................................................................................... 12
5.14 Protecting Cleaned Surfaces ................................................................................................... 12
5.15 Handling Clean Parts............................................................................................................... 13
5.18 Identification of Cleaned Items ................................................................................................ 13
5.19 Access Controls and Storage of Cleaned Items....................................................................... 14
5.20 Certification ............................................................................................................................. 14
6.0 PROCESS REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................................... 16
7.0 PROCESS QUALIFICATION ........................................................................................................ 15
8.0 PROCESS VERIFICATION ..........................................................................................................17
8.1 NVR......................................................................................................................................... 17
8.2 Particle Counts .........................................................................................................................17
8.3 Drying ....................................................................................................................................... 17
9.0 TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION ................................................................................................ 16
10.0 DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................................. 17

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1.0 SCOPE

This process specification establishes surface cleanliness requirements for cleaning,

handling, processing, and inspection and packaging of flight hardware, controlled
hardware and ground support equipment (GSE) at Johnson Space Center (JSC).

2.0 APPLICABILITY

This process specification applies to cleaning of flight hardware including ground support
equipment (GSE) after fabrication (prior to assembly, after assembly, and/or prior to
delivery). It does not apply to in process cleaning during manufacturing (such as surface
preparation for bonding or coating), except the descaling of stainless-steel parts.

3.0 USAGE

All parts, components, assemblies, subsystems, systems and related equipment requiring
cleaning shall be clean to the specified cleanliness level and inspected in accordance with
this specification. This process specification shall be called out on the engineering drawing
by using a drawing note that identifies the process specification to be used and the required
level of cleanliness. Consult the Materials and Processes Branch and the NASA procuring
activity for approval of alternate specifications.

AFTER HEAT TREATING, REMOVE OXIDE TINT BY DESCALING PER

NASA/JSC PRC- 5001

CLEAN ALL INTERNAL SURFACES TO LEVEL 300A PER NASA/JSC PRC-5001

CLEAN AND PHYSICALLY INSPECT ALL EXTERNAL SURFACES TO THE VC-

SENSTIVE (VC-S) LEVEL PER NASA/JSC PRC-5001

NOTE: Hardware cleaned to the VC level at JSC is inspected to a distance of 12

inches or less with incident lighting.

Work requests for cleaning at JSC shall be made via JF 1615 Clean Room and Laboratory
Request form or work order.

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It is the responsibility of the users of this specification to review pertinent Safety Data Sheets
(SDSs) and materials specification to assure safety of the personnel, protection of the
environment and facilities in fulfilling the requirements of this document.

4.0 REFERENCES

The following documents developed this process specification:

ES-007.1 Preparation and Revision of Process Specifications

JPR 8500.4 Engineering Drawing System Manual

JPR 5322.1 Contamination Control Requirements Manual

The following applicable documents are an extension of the requirements and information
given in this specification. All documents listed assumed as the current revision unless a
specific revision listed. Refer any conflicts between the documents referred in this list to the
Materials and Processes Branch.

A-A-59150 Commercial Item Description Cleaning Compound, Solvent,

Hydrofluoroether (HFE)
A-A-59503 Commercial Item Description Nitrogen, Technical

ASTM A380/A380M Standard Practice for Cleaning, Descaling, and Passivation of

Stainless-Steel Parts, Equipment and Systems
ASTM D1193-06 Standard Specification for Reagent Water
ASTM D2109-01 Standard Test Methods for Nonvolatile Matter in Halogenated
Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures
ASTM F24 Standard Test Method for Measuring and Counting Particulate
Contamination on Surfaces
ASTM F25 Standard Test Method for Sizing and Counting Airborne Particulate
Contamination in Cleanrooms and Other Dust-Controlled Areas
ASTM F51 Standard Test Method for Sizing and Counting Particulate
Contaminant In and On Clean Room Garments
ASTM F331 Standard Test Method for Nonvolatile Residue of Solvent Extract
from Aerospace Components (Using Flash Evaporator)
ASTM G144-01 Standard Test Method for Determination of Residual
Contamination of Materials and Components by Total Carbon
Analysis Using a High Temperature Combustion Analyzer
DPI-5001-04 Hardware Cleaning
DPI-5001-06 Cleanliness Verification of Hardware Using Deionized Water and
TOC Analyzer
DPI-5001-07 Final Cleaning and Cleanliness Verification of Precision Cleaned
Aerospace Hardware
CEV-T-02100 Project Orion Contamination Control Plan

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GSDO-RQMT-1080 Cross Program Contamination Control Requirements

IEST-STD-CC1246 Product Cleanliness Levels-Applications, Requirements and

Determination
ISO-14644-1 Cleanrooms and Associated Controlled Environment Part 1:
Classification of Air Cleanliness by Particle Concentration
ISO-14644-2 Cleanrooms and Associated Controlled Environments Part 2:
Monitoring to Provide Evidence of Cleanroom Performance
Related to Air Cleanliness by Particle Concentration
ISO-14952-2 Space Systems Surface Cleanliness of Fluid Systems Part 2:
Cleanliness Levels
JF 1615 Clean Room and Laboratory Request Form

JF 1225C Task Performance Sheet

JF 881 Subassembly Process Sheet

JSC 29253 SR&QA Recommendation for Clean Room Gloves

JSC-SPEC-C-20D Water, High Purity Specification

JSC 66695 EVA Office EMU Water Quality Specification

KSC-C-123 Specification for Surface Cleanliness of Fluid Systems

MIL-A-18455 Argon, Technical

MIL-P-27401 Propellant, Pressurizing Agent, Nitrogen

MPCV 70156 Cross Program Fluid Procurement and Use Control Specification

MSFC-PROC-166 Procedures for Cleaning, Testing and Handling Hydraulic System

Detailed Parts, Components, Assemblies and Hydraulic Fluids for
Space Vehicles.
MSFC-SPEC-164 Specification for Cleanliness of Components for Use in Oxygen,
Fuel and Pneumatic Systems
MSFC-STD-246 Standard Design and Operation Criteria for Controlled
Environmental Areas
NASA-STD-6012 Corrosion Protection for Space Flight Hardware

PRC 5002 Process Specification for Passivation and Pickling of Metallic

Materials
SAE-AS598 Aerospace Microscopic Sizing and Counting of Particulate
Contamination for Fluid Power Systems
SSP 30573 Space Station Program Fluid Procurement and Use Control
Specification

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TT-I-735A Isopropyl Alcohol

5.0 MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS

The responsible design or using organization selects cleanliness levels as defined in the
system or program requirements document(s). GSE that interfaces with precision cleaned
hardware shall be cleaned to meet or exceed the cleanliness level of the flight hardware.
Assemblies and systems may require disassembly to permit cleaning. Remove any part or
component that might degrade during cleaning and clean as a separate item. Contractor
shall perform hardware manufacture and assembly in a build clean manner to ensure the
necessary minimum cleanliness levels are achieved and consistent with the maturity of the
hardware assembly. Insufficient cleanliness of components used on oxygen systems may
result in the ignition of contamination or components.

5.1 CLEANLINESS LEVELS

At JSC, cleanliness level requirements are defined in JPR 5322.1 Contamination Control
Requirements Manual Table 3-1 Surface Cleanliness Levels for particulate and nonvolatile
residue.

The surface cleanliness levels in JPR 5322.1, KSC-C-123 or this PRC are acceptable
alternates to the levels in IEST-STD-CC1246. (The detailed numbers of particles allowed in
each size bin vary slightly. This difference is not technically significant).

5.2 NON-PRECISION CLEANLINESS LEVELS

Generally Clean (GC): hardware shall be free from manufacturing residue, dirt, oil, grease
etc. The GC level should be used for hardware that is not sensitive to contamination and is
easily cleaned or recleaned. This level should be used for hardware items that do not require
cleaning before inspection. Cleaning and recleaning is required only if the item does not
pass GC inspection.

Visibly Clean (VC): hardware shall be free of all particulate and nonparticulate matter visible
to the normal unaided eye or corrected vision eye with a specified illumination using incident
lighting. Incident lighting for inspection of large acreage hardware shall be achieved by the
use of a handheld lighting source.

The contractor shall document and maintain evidence of inspection and acceptance criteria.
Table 1 outlines the levels of VC requirements, incident light levels and inspection distances
(reference GSDO-RQMT-1080, Cross-Program Contamination Control Requirements). JPR
5322.1 references these same requirements and Section 3.2 provides detailed inspection
requirements for the VC level. The VC level is standard unless otherwise specified as
sensitive (VC-S) or highly sensitive (VC-HS).

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Table 1 Visibly Clean (VC) Levels and Inspection Criteria

VC Level Incident Light Level Inspection Distance Remarks

VC Standard ≥500 lm/m2 (50 ft.- 1.5 m to 3 m (5 to 10 Notes 2, 3, 5
candles) feet)
VC-S Sensitive ≥500 lm/m2 (50 ft.- 0.6 m to 1.2 m (2 to 4 Notes 2, 3, 5
candles) feet)
VC-HS Highly ≥1000 lm/m2 (100 ft.- 0.15 m to 0.4 m (6 to Notes 3, 4
Sensitive candles) 18 inches)
VC-Custom Incident light level and inspection distance specified by responsible
Project/Elements

NOTES:

(1) One-foot-candle (lumens per square foot) is equivalent to 10.76 lumens per
square meter.

(2) Cleaning is required if the surface in question does not meet VC under the
specified incident light and observation distance conditions.

(3) Exposed and accessible surfaces only.

(4) Initial cleaning is mandatory. Note (2) applies thereafter.

(5) Examine areas of suspected contamination at distances closer than specified

for final verification.

For all VC levels, inspect areas of suspected contamination may be inspected at closer
distances than specified above. VC level inspections are limited to exposed and accessible
surfaces. The use of inspection aids such as wipes, mirrors, borescopes, or tape lifts is
permissible for those areas of suspect condition with limited or no direct line of sight.
Allow closer inspection of piece parts when minimum inspection distance specified for the required
cleanliness level is impractical (for example, having to hold parts cleaned to level VC Standard 1.5
m [5 feet away].
Contractor shall inspect interior volumes at a distance that deviates from the defined range only
to the extent required when sufficient access to physically conduct an inspection within the
defined VC range.

The presence of contamination shall require test/evaluation to determine acceptance or

rejection.

5.3 PRECISION CLEANLINESS LEVELS

The Visibly Clean, Ultraviolent level (VC+UV) inspection uses the aid of an ultraviolet light
source (black light) of 3200 to 3800 angstroms wavelength. This level requires precision
cleaning methods, but particle count is not required.
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5.3.1 Black light (UV) Inspection

A visual observation of the part must be performed with the unaided eye (corrective lenses are
acceptable) under UV light (3,200 to 3,800 angstroms wavelength) for the presence of
hydrocarbons., If the surface is inaccessible. The inspector shall perform a wipe test.
Any contamination detected by visual or black light inspection shall be cause for re-cleaning. If
re-cleaning fails to remove fluorescent indications, investigate to determine if the item material is
naturally fluorescent. Contractor shall inspect parts as specified in JPR 5322.1.

5.4 SPECIFYING CLEANLINESS LEVELS

Cleanliness levels for hardware items shall be determined by program and system requirements
specified in the following examples:

a. Level 200 refers to size and count limits on particulate matter contamination only.

b. Level A refers to nonvolatile residue (NVR) limits only (1 mg/0.1 m2)

c. Level 200A refers to size and count limits on particulate matter and nonvolatile
residue (NVR) contamination limits.

d. Level 200 A is a more stringent cleaning level than 200B for both particulate matter
and NVR.

e. A component cleaned to a more stringent level than required for a system level
application may be used in a system application. (i.e., a Level 200A part may be
used in a Level 300 or 300A system)

f. The GC and VC cleanliness levels do not use particle counting or NVR methods.
However, the VC-Sensitive (VC-S) cleanliness level is considered to be more
stringent that IEST-STD-CC1246 Level 500, which is sometimes called out for
visual cleanliness by other organizations.

5.5 CLEANING
Poor handling and exposure to contamination can easily compromise the state of
cleanliness. The intent of this section is to specify those general requirements applicable
to cleaning processes. There are two categories for cleaning: precleaning (rough) and
precision cleaning. Cleaning contractor shall control all cleaning processes with
documented procedures approved by the NASA JSC Materials and Processes Branch. At
JSC, procedures are detailed process instructions (DPI) or standing operation procedures
(SOPs). The cleaning methods selected and used depend on the material selection for the
fabricating parts. Since the characteristics of the assemblies or components vary, this
section does not describe all cleaning methods and processes. At JSC, details of which
cleaning solutions and solvents to use for which materials are in DPI-5001-04 Hardware
Cleaning and DP1-5001-06 Cleanliness Verification Using Deionized Water and Total
Carbon Analyzer and DPI-5001-07 Final Cleaning and Cleanliness Verification of Precision
Cleaned Aerospace Hardware.
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5.6 ROUGH CLEANING

Parts must be pre-cleaned to remove all visible contaminants without removing or

changing the characteristics of the base materials. All traces of pre-cleaning materials
shall be removed from parts at the completion of the pre-cleaning process to prevent the
future formation of mineral salts and corrosion products. Use tests, such as pH testing, to
verify removal of all residuals. Parts should be VC level before placing it in a clean room or
clean work area. Nonmetallic materials shall be pre-cleaned with soap and water.

Assembled items that do not lend themselves to this type of treatment must be treated
prior to assembly. Surface treated areas degraded during subsequent fabrication and
assembly shall be reprocessed as required to restore the original protective finish.

All steps in pre-cleaning procedures must progress in an uninterrupted workflow through the final
rinse and drying operation. If the workflow is unavoidably interrupted, a recycling operation shall
be specified in the pre-cleaning procedure. Pre-cleaning procedures include, as a minimum,
protection of the item by interim packaging or other approved means to prevent recontamination
through all subsequent operations.

5.7 PRECISION CLEANING

Hardware that requires a level of product cleanliness greater than the level detected by
visual means and cleanliness verification by particle analysis and/or nonvolatile residue
analysis shall be precision cleaned. Parts/items shall be inspected to the visibly clean (VC)
level prior to precision cleaning.

Hardware shall be precision-cleaned in a clean room environment per JPR 5322.1,

following pre-cleaning operations described herein. Flush or wipe the items to be precision-
cleaned with a suitable cleaning solution or solvent and/or vacuum clean or blow off with
clean dry air to prevent the entry of gross contaminants into the clean room environment.
Hardware must be precision cleaned using a precision-cleaning agent. For nonmetallic
materials, reagent grade water must be used for precision cleaning and verification.
Precision cleanliness shall be verified. Parts inspection and acceptance of precision
cleaned items shall be documented. Precision cleaned items shall be protected after
cleanliness verification before leaving the clean room or packaged immediately for release
to the customer.

5.8 SPECIAL CLEANING PROCESSES

Cleaning contractor shall perform mechanical cleaning in manner that removes

contamination without physical damage to the item cleaned. Control special cleaning
processes, such as ultrasonic cleaning by documented procedures. Contractor shall test
and maintain ultrasonic cleaning equipment using the manufacturer’s instructions.

Special attention to cleaning convoluted flex hoses is required. All convoluted flex hose
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components shall be cleaned and dried in a vertical orientation. For cleanliness verification,
the fluid sample must be collected while the flexhose is in the vertical position.

5.9 CLEANING COMPATIBILITY

It is the cleaning contractor’s responsibility to ensure that the cleaning solution or

cleaning process is compatible with any material or part used in that solution or process.
The cleaning method comprised of cleaning fluid(s) and cleaning procedure(s) must be
capable of cleaning the component, product or item to the required cleanliness level.
The cleaning fluid must not react with, combine with, etch or cause immediate or later
damage.

Cleaning fluid should be:

a. Nontoxic (not harmful if inhaled or spilled on the skin) and nonpoisonous.

b. Non-explosive.
c. Noncorrosive under normal use.
d. Nonflammable.
e. Environmentally sound.
f. Compatible with the system, product materials and hardware.

NOTE:

(i) The cleaning contractor must verify complete solvent removal after final cleaning.

(ii) This does not limit potential cleaning fluids only to nonflammable fluids

(iii) Combustible cleaning agents must be used with care to clean systems or products that
may combust the cleaning agent during cleaning; or even at a later time such as when
the system or product is packaged, stored, used, etc.

Compatibility issues that must be evaluated before selecting a cleaning process are:

a. Corrosion
b. Embrittlement
c. Leaching
d. Residue
e. Crazing (non-metallics)
f. Reversion (non-metallics)
g. Hydrolysis (non-metallics)

5.10 CLEANING FLUIDS AND SOLUTION CONTROL

For all cleaning fluids, establish, document, and implement requirements and procedures
that control fluid composition, purity, cleanliness, and use. Cleaning fluids selected for use in
pre-cleaning solutions shall be controlled by analysis, solution replacement, or adjustment to
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maintain cleaning effectiveness and compatibility with the specific material type.

5.11 CLEANING SOLUTION CONTROL RECORDS

The cleaning contractor must maintain records indicating the scheduled analysis, analysis
results, and any solution replacement or adjustment activities.

For passivation and pickling baths at JSC, control tank chemistry per PRC-5002 Process
Specification for Passivation and Pickling of Metallic Materials.
All fluids, equipment, and facilities used for cleaning to the VC or VC + UV cleanliness levels
shall be subject to the same minimum requirements specified for pre-cleaning procedures.
Cleaning with an approved, compatible solvent (e.g., solvent wipe) is mandatory for VC and
VC + UV items, unless other methods required by the hardware in question. GC items do
not require cleaning before inspection; cleaning is required only if the item does not pass GC
inspection. Use a GC cleaning process compatible with the hardware materials.

5.12 TEST FLUIDS FOR PRECISION CLEANLINESS VERIFICATION

Test fluids shall be selected by the user and approved by the NASA procuring activity.

At JSC, HFE-7100 and high purity deionized water are approved test fluids and used for
precision cleaning. Analyze final flush and verification fluids for precision cleanliness for NVR
prior to use to determine compliance with the stipulated specification requirements.

Nonvolatile residue for HFE-7100 shall not be greater than 10 milligrams per one liter (mg/L)
as determined by SSP 30573.

Isopropanol (IPA) must meet the requirements of TT-I-735A filtered to 10 microns or better
prior to use.

Aqueous based fluids must utilize reagent grade water. The reagent water must meet the
requirements of ASTM D1193, Type II except that silica content is not required. Milli-Q water
is a permissible substitute for reagent water. If water is the verification fluid, it must meet the
requirements of Grade A water in JSC-SPEC-C-20D

5.13 DRYING AND TESTING GAS

Flow pre-filtered drying gas through or over affected surfaces of the item cleaned. Use
nitrogen gas dry (A-A-59503, Type I). When purging is specified, the purging material shall
be a pre-cleaned, dry, inert gas (e.g., argon), conforming to MIL- A-18455; or nitrogen
conforming to A-A-59503, Grade A, or equivalent. Pre-filter gases to meet the cleanliness
level of the item being precision packaged.

NOTE: It is the cleaning contractor’s responsibility to ensure removal of the above

substances prior to packaging or placing hardware into service.

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5.14 PROTECTING CLEANED SURFACES

Cleaning contractor shall use facilities for precision cleaning, assembly, processing and
functional testing of the hardware that provide airborne contamination levels compatible
with the hardware cleanliness requirements per JPR 5322.1 Contamination Control
Manual or the engineering drawing. Clean rooms and other environmentally controlled
areas (ECAs) shall be controlled by approved documented procedures.

Package all visibly cleaned and precision-cleaned items immediately after cleaning and
drying in accordance to packaging methods per JPR 5322.1 Contamination Control
Manual or approved documented procedures using materials that are compatible with the
item to be protected.

5.15 HANDLING CLEAN PARTS

Refer to JSC 29253 “SR&QA Recommendation for Clean Room Gloves” for gloves for wet
and dry handling of hardware. Clean room gloves shall be worn when handling VC
cleaned and precision cleaned parts. Gloves are not required for handling generally clean
parts. Any hardware not precision cleaned shall not be brought into the vicinity of
precision cleaned hardware without protecting the precision cleaned hardware.

5.16 FILTERS

Ground support test equipment that interfaces with precision cleaned flight fluid systems
must incorporate filters and located as close to the interface as possible where flow could
occur into the flight hardware. This may also include outlet lines if it is determined that
some operations such as servicing and describing fluids could permit flow in a reverse
direction.

5.17 INSPECTIONS
Only trained and/or certified personnel must perform disassembly, cleaning and inspection
operations on cleaned parts. Accomplish non-UV visual inspection under a white light of
sufficient intensity to illuminate the surface being inspected.

Inspections shall be performed as follows: For VC and VC + UV levels, items must be

inspected to the VC level. A visual inspection must be performed with the unaided eye
(corrective lenses are acceptable) with handheld incident light of sufficient intensity to
illuminate the surface being inspected (minimum intensities for each visible cleanliness
level are specified in Table 1). Borescopes, mirrors, or other devices may be used to
increase accessibility during inspection. Magnifying lenses may be used only to further
identify visible contaminants.

Inspect stored precision-cleaned items periodically, at least once every two (2) years for
the integrity of the outer bag and, on a sample basis, for corrosion or other degradation of
the packaged item. To inspect, remove the outer bag and visually inspect the item through
the inner wrap. Any discoloration, visible contamination, etc., shall be cause for rejection
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and re- cleaning of the lot sampled. If the part passes inspection, apply a new outer bag
and reseal in the normal manner.

5.18 IDENTIFICATION OF CLEANED ITEMS

Cleaning contractor shall use documented procedures for packaging clean items. The
GC level does not require a cleanliness certification decal, since protective packaging
for contamination control is not required. Liquid oxygen (LOX) and gaseous oxygen
(GOX) parts, components, subsystems, and systems shall be protected by an inner
bag of LOX/GOX-compatible film, as specified in JPR 5322.1.

NOTE: Electrical or electronic hardware sensitive to (ESD) damage shall be

packaged in special antistatic packaging with suitable ESD controls meeting
the requirements given in JPR 5322.1 Chapter 9, Requirements for
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Control Program.

Identify the bagged item with a decal containing identification, inspection, and certification of
cleanliness information. Decals procured to meet the requirements of this section are not
intended for direct application to parts or equipment; therefore, the decals need not be
compatible with fuels or oxidizers. Apply decals to the outside of the inner bag and over the
ends of tape-sealed closures. Decals shall include:

a. Part or identification number

b. Date of Cleaning

c. Title, date and number of this standard or JPR 5322.1

d. Service medium or intended use of component

e. Acceptance stamps

f. Cleanliness Level

NOTE: To prevent galvanic corrosion, refer to NASA-STD-6012. Do not place or

package dissimilar metals together.

NOTE: Do not use preservative materials on items, which have been precision-cleaned.
Package dissimilar metals together.

5.19 ACCESS CONTROLS AND STORAGE OF CLEANED ITEMS

Establish adequate controls and procedures to limit access to storage areas for precision-
cleaned items to personnel specifically trained in the handling of precision-cleaned items.
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At JSC, all cleaned hardware items treated as flight hardware.

Remove clean and precision-clean, packaged items from the clean room and place in an
appropriate container or storage area to protect the plastic bags and contents.

Store all cleaned and precision-cleaned items in an enclosed, controlled area where
temperature and humidity maintained within limits compatible with the item and its
packaging material. Filter the air supply through an industrial-grade filter. Maintain the
enclosed area in a manner consistent with good housekeeping practices. Establish and
document periodic cleaning schedules.

5.20 CERTIFICATION

The cleaning contractor shall adhere to the applicable contamination control requirements
of

this specification and JPR 5322.1 Contamination Control Manual. The contractor shall
perform periodic certifications to establish and implement the requirements for clean rooms,
clean work areas or other environmentally controlled areas. The certification process shall
use established and documented procedures.
At JSC, the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate has the approval authority for the
certification.

6.0 PROCESS REQUIREMENTS

Perform all work to written procedures. The work instructions shall contain sufficient detail to
ensure that the manufacturing process produces consistent, repeatable products that comply
with this specification.

For work performed at JSC facilities, these work procedures consist of Detailed Process
Instructions (DPI’s).

For contracted work, the contractor shall be responsible for preparing and maintaining, and
certifying written work procedures that meet the requirements of this specification.

7.0 PROCESS QUALIFICATION

For the introduction of new materials, cleaning solutions, cleaning solvents or the
development of new cleaning processes not documented by existing procedures, the
Materials and Processes Branch must be consulted to approve materials, cleaning
processes and address compatibility concerns. Materials or sample parts that duplicate for
use in the new process must be tested to demonstrate compatibility and to qualify the
process.

To obtain approval, submit documentation (e.g., JF881 Subassembly Process Sheet,

JF1225C Task Performance Sheet) with all the following information:

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a. Proposed cleanliness levels including analysis and rationale for the selected
cleanliness level.
b. Descriptions of items to be cleaned including identification of materials including
trade names, specifications, chemical and physical properties and compatibility
information.
c. Cleaning fluids information to include as applicable, trade names, specifications,
safety data sheet, chemical and physical properties, and compatibility information.
d. Processing equipment and cleaning procedures to be used (e.g. ultrasonic
equipment, precision cleaning).
e. Quality assurance provisions. This must include inspection(s) and in-process
control procedures to prevent contamination, latent corrosion, or other degradation
of surfaces and opened systems.
f. Controlled environment levels maintained for cleaning and handling.
g. Preservation methods and materials.
h. Verification method.

8.0 PROCESS VERIFICATION

Consult the Materials and Processes Branch and the NASA procuring activity for approval
alternate verification procedures.

8.1 NON-VOLATILE RESIDUE (NVR)

Following precision cleaning, each item shall be rinsed with an appropriate amount of unused
precision-cleaning solvent usually (100 mL) for each square foot of critical surface. Determine
non-volatile residue (NVR) in accordance with ASTM D2109-01. If high purity water is the
final rinse solution for verification, hydrocarbon content shall be determined using total
organic carbon (TOC) analyzing techniques per ASTM G144-01.

8.2 PARTICLE COUNTS

Particulate determination shall be in accordance with the requirements of SAE- AS598.

8.3 DRYING

Flammable solvent used for cleaning, flushing, or testing the residual concentration of
flammable solvent shall be verified as within acceptable limits. Positive verification requires
purging with an inert gas and a 24-hour lockup” of the component or assembly at a
minimum temperature of 15 °C. Analysis of lockup gas samples to shall be verified that the
solvent concentration does not exceed 18 ppm when measured as methane or 10 ppm
when measured using an instrument calibrated to the specific solvent utilized and capable
of detecting 1 ppm.

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 PRC-5001

9.0 TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL

The cleaning contractor must provide training for all personnel performing contamination
control and ECA operations per JPR 5322.1 and all operations that encompass their
particular job responsibilities. The training certification course shall establish requirements
for personnel working with precision-cleaned hardware. The cleaning contractor shall retrain
and recertify all personnel at a specified time interval. Training records and certifications
must be kept with traceable documentation.

Personnel requiring entry into the ECA on a visit or on a temporary basis must be trained
basic ECA and contamination control disciplines. The ECA supervisor controls access to the
ECA for visitors or temporary workers for overpopulation prevention or ECA compromise.

10.0 DEFINITIONS

Cleanliness Level An established maximum of allowable contaminants

based on size, distribution, or quantity on a given
area or in a specific volume or absence of
particulate and nonparticulate matter visible under
white light and/or UV illumination

Contaminant Any unwanted matter that could be detrimental to

the required operation, reliability, or performance of
a part, component, subsystem, or system

Environmentally Controlled Area A classification which includes clean rooms, laminar

flow clean workstations, and CWAs

Generally Clean (GC) Free of manufacturing residue, dirt, oil, grease,

processing debris or other extraneous
contamination. Level achieved by washing, wiping,
blowing, vacuuming, brushing or rinsing

Incident Light Light that hits a surface at an angle

Micron A unit of measurement equal to one-millionth of a

meter or approximately 0.00003937 in. (e.g.
25 microns are approximately 0.001 in.)
Non-particulate Matter Matter (usually film) with no definite dimension
Nonvolatile Residue (NVR) Soluble (or suspended) material and insoluble
particulate matter remaining after controlled
evaporation of a filtered volatile solvent usually
measured in milligrams. Filtration is normally
through a 0.45-micrometer or 0.8-micrometer
membrane filter before evaporation

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 PRC-5001

Particulate Matter The general term applied to matter with observable

length, width and thickness (as contrasted to non-
particulate film matter without definite dimensions)

Precision-cleaning Final or fine cleaning accomplished in a controlled

environment to achieve precision cleanliness.
Surface cleaning with an approved, compatible
solvent (e.g., solvent wipe) is satisfactory for VC +
UV and VC items

Precision Cleanliness A degree of cleanliness which requires special

equipment and techniques for determination;
precision cleanliness levels normally include limits
for particulate sizes and quantities

Precision-Clean Packaging Packaging or protection used to preserve precision

cleanliness for a specific period and condition

Purge To flow a gas through a system (or pipeline, tube,

tank, etc.) for removing residual fluid or for
providing a positive flow of gas from some opening
in the system

Silting Accumulation of minute particles in the size range

normally not counted with the respective service
medium

Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Amount of carbon molecules in a sampling fluid

(typically, water), as measured by controlled
combustion. TOC is reported in parts per million
(ppm) by weight as carbon.

Visibly Clean (VC) Free of all particulate and nonparticulate matter

visible to the unaided eye (corrective lenses are
acceptable)

Visibly Clean + Ultraviolet (VC + UV) Visibly clean (as defined above) and without
fluorescent matter detectable with a UV light (black
light) of 3,200 to 3,800 angstroms wavelength

Visual Cleanliness Levels A category that includes VC, VC + UV, and GC

cleanliness level.

Verify correct version before use.

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