Grade 2 and Grade 4 cleaning.
Precision cleaning to Grade 2 or Grade 4 of the Generic Standard of ASML (GSA) for stainless steel and titanium parts – verified by visual inspection, particle measurement and RGA / outgassing, vacuum-packed and delivered with a cleanliness certificate.
Grade 2 and Grade 4 at a glance.
Both grades come from the Generic Standard of ASML (GSA), the reference for the semiconductor supply chain. Your specification decides which one your parts need.
The stricter of the two. Tight limits on particles and molecular contamination, with clean handling from production through packing – no bare-hand contact, approved lubricants only.
Typical use: vacuum and in-machine semiconductor parts
Grade 2 cleaning →The standard cleanroom level. Parts are free of visible contamination and larger particles, cleaned and packed so they stay clean until assembly.
Typical use: cleanroom assembly outside the most critical zones
Grade 4 cleaning →What differs, and what doesn't.
| Grade 2 | Grade 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Level | The stricter level | The standard cleanroom level |
| Contamination | Tight limits on particles and molecular contamination | Free of visible contamination and larger particles |
| Handling | Clean handling from production through packing – no bare-hand contact, approved lubricants only | Cleaned and packed so the parts stay clean until assembly |
| Typical use | Vacuum and in-machine semiconductor parts | Cleanroom assembly outside the most critical zones |
| Cleanroom classes | ISO class 5–7 | ISO class 5–7 |
| Packaging | Vacuum-packed per 5, 10, 25, 50 or 100 | Vacuum-packed per 5, 10, 25, 50 or 100 |
| Documents | Cleanliness certificate and lot traceability | Cleanliness certificate and lot traceability |
Checked before the certificate.
Cleanliness is verified before the cleanliness certificate is issued – under an ISO 9001:2015 quality system, with full lot traceability.
- 01Visual inspectionParts are inspected for visible contamination and residue.
- 02Particle measurementParticles on the surface are measured against the limits of the grade.
- 03RGA / outgassingResidual gas analysis shows what a part releases under vacuum.
From stock, to your drawing, or your own parts.
100.000+ electropolished and Kolsterised A2 and A4 parts in stock – socket head cap screws, hex nuts, washers and dowel pins, cleaning included.
Your fasteners and turned or milled parts in stainless steel or titanium, cleaned to Grade 2 or Grade 4 and returned vacuum-packed. EPK on request.
Stainless or titanium parts made to your drawing, with or without vacuum hole – same cleaning and vacuum packing.
Which grade do you need?
Your specification decides. Grade 2 is typical for vacuum and in-machine semiconductor parts, Grade 4 for cleanroom assembly outside the most critical zones. Send us your specification and Terry confirms the grade with your quote.
Not to be confused with titanium Grade 2, 4 and 5: those are material grades, not cleaning grades.
Grade 2 and Grade 4 cleaning – frequently asked questions.
- What is Grade 2 cleaning?
- The stricter of the two cleaning grades in the Generic Standard of ASML (GSA). Tight limits on particles and molecular contamination, with clean handling from production through packing – no bare-hand contact, approved lubricants only. Typical use: vacuum and in-machine semiconductor parts.
- What is Grade 4 cleaning?
- The standard cleanroom level in the Generic Standard of ASML (GSA). Parts are free of visible contamination and larger particles, cleaned and packed so they stay clean until assembly. Typical use: cleanroom assembly outside the most critical zones.
- How does HBS verify Grade 2 and Grade 4 cleanliness?
- By visual inspection, particle measurement and RGA / outgassing analysis before the cleanliness certificate is issued. Every pack is vacuum-packed and traceable to its lot.
- Which parts can HBS clean to Grade 2 or Grade 4?
- EPK-treated A2 and A4 parts from stock (100.000+ in stock, 3–4 weeks including cleaning), engineered parts made to your drawing, and your own fasteners or turned and milled parts in stainless steel or titanium (2–3 weeks).
- Is titanium Grade 2 the same as Grade 2 cleaning?
- No. Titanium Grade 2, 4 and 5 are material grades. Grade 2 and Grade 4 cleaning are cleanliness levels from the Generic Standard of ASML (GSA) and apply to the cleaning of the part, whatever its material.
Cleaned to your grade.
Tell us the parts, the grade and the quantity – Terry replies within 24 hours.
REQUEST A CLEANROOM QUOTE →
YOUR CONTACTTalk to TerrySales Engineer