Bagging Material Analysis for Cleanliness Preservation
SourceContamination typically represents the most ignitable and flammable material in an oxygen system and poses an oxygen fire risk. Particulate generated by the materials used to preserve the cleanliness of an oxygen-cleaned part can contaminate an oxygen system. No standard was discoverable for evaluating the propensity of bagging materials to generate particulate when subjected to the bagging process with oxygen-cleaned parts, followed by handling and transportation. Research on this propensity for particulate generation was conducted on two bagging materials (Nylon 6 and Aclar 22A) using a test method created to emulate the severe handling of bagged parts. Two different types of parts were selected to evaluate the effect of part size and mass on particulate generation within each bagging material. These parts underwent verified oxygen cleaning and bagging before undergoing bag testing that subjected parts to a process of automatic handling and manual handling. The bagged parts were then removed from their bags and underwent an oxygen cleaning verification to analyze any particulate generated from the bagging material. The data from this verification were then used to quantify Nylon 6 and Aclar 22A's propensity for generating particulate and to compare the two bagging materials.