Understanding NASA Specification JPG5322-1 Level 50-100

JPG- 5322 -1 LEVEL-50 100 is a guide for Surface Cleanliness Levels for Precision Packaging Materials.

Visible cleanliness levels are described as “qualitative” in that verification and/or inspection of these levels is visual. These levels are considered adequate, since the application of these levels must be viewed with respect to your hardware design and current operation. These levels represent a cost-effective alternative to precision cleanliness levels, and offer greater flexibility for the appropriate product design for your company. Visible cleanliness levels may be used as either interim or as a final cleanliness level.

Precision cleanliness levels specify the maximum quantity of particulate and/or nonvolatile residue (NVR) permitted on external or internal surfaces of your product after cleaning.

Visible cleanliness levels defined for JSC hardware are: Generally Clean (GC), Visibly Clean (VC), and Visibly Clean, Ultraviolet (VC+UV).

Products cleaned to the “Generally Clean” level shall be free of manufacturing residue, dirt, oil, grease, processing debris, or other extraneous contamination.

Note: Cleaning is required only if the item does not pass inspection. Heat-sealed bagging protection is not required, but normal protection is required for handling, shipping, and storage.

The “Generally Clean” level should be specified for hardware that is not sensitive to contamination and is easily and quickly cleaned or re-cleaned.

For the “Visually Clean” + UV cleanliness level, the hardware shall be free of all visible particulate and non-particulate contamination, aided by inspection under UV light (UV light of 3,200 to 3,800 angstroms wavelength).

All items cleaned to “Visually Clean” +UV level will be continuously protected using heat-sealed double bagging, unless it is not practical.

The “Visually Clean” + UV cleanliness level provides a surface condition free of all visible particulate and non-particulate contamination enhanced by inspection under UV light (Ultraviolet light of 3,200 to 3,800 angstroms wavelength).

FED STD. 209e has been superseded by ISO-14644 Parts 1 and 2. ISO 14644 describes several types of cleanrooms, which include both conventional and laminar airflow designs. Table I provides a comparison of cleanroom classes defined in ISO 14644, Part 1 for the common JSC cleanroom classifications. Existing cleanrooms using FED-STD-209E may be acceptable, for continued use, to meet existing cleanliness specifications. The Safety and Test Operations Division will, upon request, assist JSC organizations and offsite contractors with the selection of an appropriate cleanroom design.

Outer packaging material shall be cleaned to a”Visually Clean” level.Inner packaging material will be “Precision Cleaned” to the appropriate precision cleanliness level, in accordance with your product requirements.

All bags, sheeting, tubing, roll stock, and other cleaned packaging material shall be double bagged as specified in Section 9.0 and Table V.

Note: The inner bag will be constructed of the same material as the one being packaged (for example, nylon film packaged in nylon bags). Roll stock will be wound on clean cores, made from non-dusting plastic or metal and preferably molded, not sawn PVC plastic.

Note: Any requirement for inner packaging materials “Precision Cleaned” to levels stricter than Level 100 (such as Level 50 or Level 25) requires the concurrence of the Safety and Test Operations Division. Concurrence is not required if stricter cleanliness levels are required for the designated use (for example, high pressure O use).

All processing and inspection operations shall be conducted within an environment compatible with the required cleanliness level for the packaging material being processed. Note: Electrostatic charging will attract particles and will be minimized during handling of plastic film by grounding and the use of static control films in the packaging of your product.

Visual inspection shall be performed with the unaided eye.No evidence of oil, grease, water, solvents, paints, ink, dirt, metal chips, labels, preservatives, or other foreign matter shall be permitted on the external surfaces or the internal surfaces of intimate packaging materials.

Note: This requirement also applies to the internal surfaces of the overwrap packaging.

A rinse test shall be performed according to an approved standard procedure to verify compliance with the required cleanliness level.

The supplier shall furnish certification with each package, showing evidence of compliance with these requirements as specified in the procurement documents, through the use of a certification label attached to the outer packaging and a written formal certification of cleanliness submitted with the final packaging.

Electrical or electronic hardware that is sensitive to (ESD) damage shall be packaged in special anti-static packaging with suitable ESD controls that meet the requirements. Contamination control packaging shall not be placed inside ESD control packaging.

The bagged item shall be marked with a decal containing identification, inspection, and Certification of cleanliness information, showing the class of cleanliness and the specifications adhered to in the packaging of the product.