Applications:

● Manufacturers: Efficiency rating andcertification of filter products

● Third-party Testing Services: In-place verification of filter efficiency and leak testing in semiconductor and pharma-ceutical cleanrooms

● End-users: In-place verification ofefficiency and leak testing in yourcleanroom

Advantages:

Particles are non-toxic

Particles will not degrade filter media

No oily residue to contaminate cleanroom

Highly uniform microspheres atknown sizes

Acceptable test materials in IEST and European Norm standards

State-of-the-art technology

Precision filter integrity testing

Benefits:

Non-flammable and convenient to transport

Quicker returns to baseline counts thanaerosolized oils

Reliable particle size measurementand suspension stability

Immediate delivery

Lower cost than buying bulk latex

Easier handling at job site

Convenient to open, dilute, and use

No negative side effects or concerns aswith atomized oils

Consistently controllable and repeatable

HEPA-CHECKTM

Filter Challenge ParticlesFor efficiency and leak testing of in-place HEPA and ULPA filters

Product Description. There is a worldwide growing demand for polystyrene latex*particles (PSL) by filter manufacturers, end-users and third-party testing services. PSL islisted as a suitable test material when using particle counters by both the Institute ofEnvironmental Sciences (IEST) and European Norm (EN) standards.

HEPA-CHECK™ Filter Challenge Particles are polystyrene latex particles optimized forperformance, aerosolization, safety and economy for both HEPA and ULPA filter testing.Unlike traditional oil-based filter test materials such as dioctylphthalate (DOP), HEPA-CHECKdoes not carry the health risks associated with atomized oils such as dioctylphthalate(DOP) or other oil-based filter test materials. And due to the clean, oil-free nature of thisultra-pure water suspension, HEPA-CHECK is ideal for leak testing in-situ filters where thehighest degree of cleanliness is required.

Duke Scientific manufacturers and packages its own polystyrene microspheres for HEPAand ULPA filter testing so you are ensured a consistently controllable and repeatablesupply of highly uniform, monodisperse particles which meet or exceed efficiency testingrequirements. Each 25 mL bottle is to be diluted in one US gallon (3.79 liters) of cleanwater and then nebulized. Nebulizing can be accomplished by using commerciallyavailable ultrasonic humidifiers. Single use bottles ensure reproducible test conditionsfrom site to site. The product is available in particle sizes traditionally associated withtesting (see reverse) and is sold individually or in convenient packs of 6 or 20 bottles.*Latex is a general term for a suspension of plastic particles in water.

Product Attributes

Particle Composition: Polystyrene

Sizes(s): 0.12 to 0.30 µm nominal diameter (see reverse)

Concentration: 7.5 x 1012 particles per mL

Particle Density: 1.05 g/cm3

Refractive Index: 1.59 @589 nm

Fill Volume: 25 mL

Content: Polystyrene Microspheres in Water

Expiration Date: > 24 months

Additives: Trace surfactant to inhibit agglomerationand promote stability

Package Includes: Material Safety Data SheetProduct Insert Sheet

Storage & Handling: Refrigerate when not in use, do not freeze. Store upright and keep bottle tightly sealed.

Sales Bulletin 99D6/01/05

Mean diameter of these particles is determined byphoton Correlation Spectroscopy (PCS)

HEPA-CHECKTM Filter Challenge ParticlesFor efficiency and leak testing of in-place HEPA and ULPA filters

Ordering Information

Catalog Number Mean Diameter Size Uniformity

Bottle Pack Box (µm) (CV*)(6 Bottles) (20 Bottles)

HF12 HF12-PK HF12-BX 0.12 <_ 5%

HF14 HF14-PK HF14-BX 0.14 <_ 5%

HF17 HF17-PK HF17-BX 0.17 <_ 5%

HF20 HF20-PK HF20-BX 0.20 <_ 5%

HF22 HF22-PK HF22-BX 0.22 <_ 5%

HF26 HF26-PK HF26-BX 0.26 <_ 5%

HF30 HF30-PK HF30-BX 0.30 <_ 5%

*The coefficient of variation (CV) is expressed as the standard deviation as a percentage of the mean diameter.

Sales Bulletin 99D 6/01/05

All products are manufactured and packaged atour ISO 9001:2000 registered facility in Palo Alto.Please feel free to contact our technical servicedepartment if you have any questions about theseproducts or have a special material requirementnot listed here.

Check our website for the most current size infor-mation on our products.

Due to minor variations between batches, meandiameters may change slightly from batch tobatch.

LIMITED WARRANTY: These products are intendedfor laboratory research use by trained scientificpersonnel. Determination of their suitability forspecific end use is solely the responsibility of theuser, who assumes all liability for loss or damagearising out of the use of the product. DukeScientific Corporation's warranty is limited toreplacement of defective products if returned withour authorization within 60 days of purchase date.

Duke Scientific Corporation2463 Faber Place, P. O. Box 50005Palo Alto, California 94303800-334-3883 or 650-424-1177Fax: 650-424-1158www.dukescientific.comTechnical Support: info@dukesci.com

For information on the sizing techniques used, please see Technical note TN-002 Calibration of Spherical Particlesby Light Scattering. For information on dispersing particles in air and manufactures of aerosol equipment,please see Technical note TN-003 Dispersing Microspheres in Air.

Leak TestingFilter leak testing is performed to verify thatthe HEPA/ ULPA filters were installed properlyand are absent of any gasket bypass and freeof pinhole leaks. The downstream sample portis moveable in order to scan the filter to deter-mine the location of any leaks.

The semiconductor industry typically specifies PSLwhen testing filters in cleanrooms. Pharmaceuticalcompanies have traditionally used aerosolized oil,but many are switching to monodisperse PSLsuspension such as Hepa-Check.

When using a monodispersed PSL challenge isimplemented, actual filter and system efficienciescan be verified during testing.

Comparison of Test Materials

Test Material Uniformity Flammable Health risk Degrading tofilter material

Sodium Chloride Uniform No Unknown Mildly

DOP oil Uniform to disperse Yes Yes Highly

Other approved oils Uniform to disperse Yes Unknown Highly

Burning Wire Disperse Yes Yes Highly

Uncharacterized PSL Uniform to disperse No No No

HEPA-CHECKTM Monodisperse* No No No* Monodisperse: particles with a very narrow size distribution. Usually with less than a 5% relative standard deviation. When using monodisperse particles, actual filter and system efficiencies can be verified duringtesting.

Efficiency TestingFilter efficiency is determined by challenging aHEPA / ULPA filter with a monodisperse aerosoland measuring the aerosol concentration bothupstream and downstream to calculate thepercentage removed by the filter.

Applications