ISO-Certified Cleanroom Services for Critical Applications
Harrison Electropolishing provides expert-certified oxygen cleaning services for stainless steel, copper, aluminum, titanium, and other materials used in oxygen-enriched environments. Using ISO 6 cleanroom standards and cleaning procedures aligned with ASTM G93 and CGA G-4.1, we ensure every component is free from flammable or reactive contaminants, significantly reducing the risk of ignition or combustion. Whether you're in the aerospace, medical gas, industrial gas, or semiconductor industry, we prepare your parts to meet the strictest safety and cleanliness requirements.
Why Oxygen Cleaning Matters
Components exposed to high-pressure or oxygen-rich environments are highly susceptible to ignition if contaminated with oils, greases, or other particulates. Even small amounts of these contaminants can cause fires, explosions, or system failures. Oxygen cleaning eliminates this risk by ensuring every surface is thoroughly decontaminated and prepared for safe use.
Key reasons for oxygen cleaning:
- Prevents fire or explosion hazards caused by hydrocarbons or particulates.
- Ensures compliance with regulatory and safety standards.
- Supports the safe operation of systems in medical, aerospace, and industrial settings.
Extends the performance and lifespan of cleaned components.
Industry Standards We Meet
At Harrison Electropolishing, we clean and certify components according to a variety of oxygen cleaning standards. Our expert technicians are trained to meet the specific requirements of your application, whether it's for high-purity gas delivery, critical medical systems, or demanding aerospace conditions.
We follow and exceed these standards:
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- ASTM G93 – Standard for cleaning methods and cleanliness levels for equipment used in oxygen-enriched environments.
- CGA G-4.1 – Cleaning equipment for oxygen service, including guidance on acceptable levels of contamination.
- MIL-STD-1330 – Department of Defense standard for cleaning and testing shipboard oxygen and inert gas systems to ensure safety and contaminant-free, high-purity service.
- EIGA Document 33/18 – European standard for oxygen equipment and cleaning.
- Customer-specific internal or industry-specific specifications.
Oxygen Cleaning Specifications
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| ASTM G93 | Standard Practice for Cleaning Methods and Cleanliness Levels for Material and Equipment Used in Oxygen-Enriched Environments |
| CGA G-4.1 | Cleaning Equipment for Oxygen Service |
Our Oxygen Cleaning Process
We’ve refined our cleaning methodology over decades to ensure reliable and repeatable results. Each part undergoes a multi-step process in a controlled environment to remove hydrocarbons, particulate matter, and residues.
Step-by-step process:
- Receiving Inspection – We perform a 100% visual examination on all incoming material. A cleaning process is mapped which can include any of the following steps.
- Acidic Cleaning – Removal of rust, oxides, weld scale and embedded particles.
- Alkaline or solvent cleaning – Removal of oils, greases, and hydrocarbons.
- Ultrasonic cleaning– Ideal for intricate parts and hard-to-reach areas.
- Deionized water rinse – The use of 17 meg-ohm DI water ensures no cleaning agents or residues remains.
- Drying –Filtered nitrogen or air drying in cleanroom environment.
- Inspection – Qualitative, white light and UV light, and quantitative inspection methods .
- Packaging –Double-bagged or Vacuum sealed in cleanroom-compatible packaging.
Inspection & Quality Verification
To ensure safety and compliance, we offer both qualitative and quantitative inspections. Our inspection methods are aligned with CGA G-4.1 and ASTM G93 and are traceable to your part’s serial number for full documentation.
Our inspection methods include:
- White light visual inspection for surface residues.
- UV blacklight inspection for hydrocarbon traces.
Solvent extraction (as needed).
Docuentation and traceability reports available upon request.
Clean Packaging & Handling
After cleaning, each part is immediately packaged in our ISO 6 cleanroom to prevent recontamination. We offer multiple packaging solutions based on part size, sensitivity, and end-use conditions.
Packaging options:
- Vacuum-sealed in anti-static plastic.
- Double-bagged with cleanroom-grade materials.
- Sealing and pressurization.
- All methods clearly labeled with oxygen-cleaning certification and traceability.
Materials We Clean
We have extensive experience cleaning a wide variety of metals and materials commonly used in high-purity or oxygen service applications.
Commonly cleaned materials:
- Stainless steel (200, 300 and 400 series alloys)
- Nickel alloys
- Aluminum
- Titanium
- Copper and brass alloys
- Raw material, machined components and fabricated assemblies
Frequently Asked Questions
What is oxygen cleaning?
Oxygen cleaning is a specialized process that removes combustible contaminants such as oils, greases, fibers, and particulates from components intended for use in oxygen-enriched or high-purity environments. This ensures safety and compliance with strict industry standards.
Why is oxygen cleaning necessary?
In oxygen-rich systems, even trace amounts of contaminants can cause fire or explosion. Oxygen cleaning eliminates these ignition sources and helps ensure safe operation, particularly in medical, aerospace, and industrial gas systems.
What standards do you follow for oxygen cleaning?
We clean to industry standards including:
- ASTM G93 – Cleanliness levels and methods for oxygen systems
- CGA G-4.1 – Guidelines for cleaning equipment used in oxygen service
- Customer-specific standards and protocols
Each cleaned component is verified to meet the required cleanliness level before packaging.
What components require oxygen cleaning?
Typical items include:
- Valves
- Tubing and piping
- Fittings and hoses
- Medical gas systems
- Aerospace components
- Tanks and vessels
Any item exposed to oxygen or high-purity gas environments may require cleaning.
How do you verify that a part is clean enough?
We use visual inspection under white and UV light to detect contaminants. For critical applications, we can also provide solvent extraction tests.
Cleanliness certification with documentation
This ensures your parts meet ASTM, CGA, or customer-specific cleanliness levels.
Can you package parts to prevent recontamination?
Yes. All oxygen-cleaned components are packaged in our ISO 6 cleanroom using cleanroom-compatible materials. Options include:
Vacuum sealing
Double-bagging
Clean labeling with lot traceability.
