Steel Cleanrooms
Last Updated: February 12, 2025
Description
Steel cleanrooms are specialized environments designed to maintain extremely low levels of particulates, such as dust, airborne organisms, or vaporized particles. These cleanrooms are constructed using steel materials, which are favored for their durability and non-shedding properties. The primary function of a steel cleanroom is to provide a controlled environment that supports and protects manufacturing processes and personnel by minimizing contamination.
Working Principle
Steel cleanrooms operate on the principle of creating a sealed environment that is supplied with clean air. The air is filtered to remove contaminants, and the room is constructed with materials that do not shed particles. The design includes systems to prevent accidental contamination from the outside or from operators. Techniques such as air showers, adhesive floor mats, and static control are employed to maintain cleanliness. The use of stainless steel in construction helps in minimizing contamination due to its non-shedding nature and ease of cleaning.
Applications
Steel cleanrooms are used in various high-tech manufacturing processes where contamination control is critical. Specific examples include semiconductor manufacturing, where even the smallest particles can affect the performance of microchips, and pharmaceutical production, where maintaining a sterile environment is essential to ensure product safety and efficacy.
Advantages over other Cleanrooms
Steel cleanrooms offer several advantages over cleanrooms made from other materials. The use of stainless steel provides superior durability and resistance to corrosion, which is particularly beneficial in environments where harsh cleaning agents are used. Additionally, steel cleanrooms are less likely to contribute to contamination due to their non-shedding properties, making them ideal for applications requiring stringent cleanliness standards.
Limitations
One of the primary limitations of steel cleanrooms is the initial cost. The use of high-quality stainless steel and the need for specialized construction techniques can make these cleanrooms more expensive to build compared to those made from other materials. Additionally, the weight of steel can pose challenges in terms of structural support and installation.
Considerations
When considering the implementation of a steel cleanroom, several factors should be taken into account. The initial costs can be significant, but the long-term durability and low maintenance requirements may offset these expenses over time. Operating expenses may include energy costs for maintaining air filtration and conditioning systems. The durability of steel cleanrooms generally results in lower replacement and maintenance costs compared to other materials. However, careful planning is necessary to ensure that the cleanroom meets the specific cleanliness and operational requirements of the intended application.
from Clean Air Products
Standard Features. Free spans up to 12 feet without adding a support leg or hanging point. Modular bolt-together design simplifies both initial assembly and future additions. All frame components are painted in a durable and cleanroom-approved flat white powder coated finish. 2 ”x2 ” 14... [See More]
- Material: Steel; Aluminum; Vinyl
- Dimensions: 12x12x8
- Fabrication: Modular Softwall
- Frame Construction: 2”x2” 14 gauge steel legs and 2”x4” 11 gauge steel beams
from Terra Universal, Inc.
These double-wall modular steel cleanrooms are ideal for bio/pharmaceutical applications that require an easy-clean, aseptic environment. Completely free-standing, they require no external supports and can be specified and installed in a fraction of the time, at a fraction the cost, of conventional... [See More]
- Material: Steel
- Dimensions: Custom, Built to Order
- Fabrication: Modular Hardwall; Mini Environment; No External Support Needed
- Frame Construction: Powder-Coated Steel Panels Mounted Externally
from Clean Air Products
The CAP558 is a vertical flow hardwall modular clean room system designed to provide superior clean room performance. Its modular clean room design combines functionality with flexibility to create systems that will meet your clean room needs of today and into the future. The full ceiling HEPA... [See More]
- Material: Steel
- Frame Construction: Heavy-duty 16 Gage Cold-rolled Steel
- Fabrication: Modular Hardwall
- Lighting Type and Intensity: Tear drop fluorescent with a minimum of 90footcandles illumination
from Terra Universal, Inc.
Recirculation module creates a HEPA-filtered clean zone. Rear-mounted air vents draw air and powders away from operator and work area. Rear manifold recirculates air through inlet HEPA filters to ensure a continuous wash of particle-free air to the work area. Air conditioning and dehumidification... [See More]
- Material: Steel; Various door materials
- Dimensions: Custom, Built to Order
- Fabrication: Modular Hardwall; Mini Environment; CleanZone™ HEPA Module
- Frame Construction: Powder-coated Steel
from Clean Air Products
The CAP560 modular cleanroom systems are prefabricated, pre-engineered vertical flow cleanrooms that offer a viable alternative to costly conventional cleanroom construction. These modular cleanroom systems feature easy-toassemble self-contained modular sections that are designed to allow for future... [See More]
- Material: Steel
- Dimensions: From 4'x4' to 8'x16'
- Fabrication: Modular Hardwall
- Frame Construction: Heavy-duty 16 Gage Cold-rolled Steel
from Terra Universal, Inc.
Terra ’s Suspended Frame EZ-UP Cleanroom creates a large-scale, low-cost ISO cleanroom in hours, not days or weeks! This system employs unique zippered vinyl panel system to meet most space and contamination requirements. Each cleanroom features two end panels with zippered or parting... [See More]
- Material: Steel; Vinyl
- Dimensions: Custom, Built to Order
- Fabrication: Modular Softwall; Mini Environment
- Frame Construction: Powder-coated Steel
from Clean Air Products
The CAP556 Softwall Cleanrooms are a vertical flow softwall cleanroom system that is designed to provide superior cleanroom performance. The Series 556 Softwall Cleanrooms modular design combines functionality with flexibility to create systems that will meet your cleanroom needs of today and into... [See More]
- Material: Steel; Steel - Stainless; Vinyl
- Dimensions: From 4'x6' to 12'x12'
- Fabrication: Modular Softwall
- Frame Construction: Heavy-duty 16 Gage Cold-rolled Steel
from Terra Universal, Inc.
Terra's Softwall Modular Cleanrooms provide an economical, versatile solution to clean manufacturing requirements in semiconductor, medical device, and many other industries. Portable, expandable, and easy to assemble/disassemble, these cleanrooms are also available on an accelerated delivery... [See More]
- Material: Steel; 304 stainless steel available
- Dimensions: Custom, Built to Order
- Fabrication: Modular Softwall; Mini Environment; No External Support Needed
- Frame Construction: Powder-coated Steel