ESD & Cleanroom Brushes: Types of Bristle Materials or Fill Materials

Many of the following fibers are used exclusively in ESD brushes or are blended to obtain the best brushing action for the specific ESD needs. Uses for the brushes include board prep, solder ball removal, rework after lead trimming, edge connector cleaning and general board rework. The various materials listed below are available in a variety of lengths and diameters.

Goat Hair
Goat Hair is a very soft yet fine natural material with properties that make it excellent for use in fine polishing and cleaning. It is non-conductive.

Horse Hair
Horse Hair is soft, resilient and long lasting. Excellent for sweeping polished surfaces, Horse Hair works well for dusting, flux removal and general cleanup. It is non-conductive.

Hog Bristle
Natural Hog Bristle (or Chung King) is resilient and is the stiffest natural material available. A Hog Bristle brush will provide the best possible cleaning. It works well when dealing with sticky, crusty materials or viscous fluids. It is non-conductive.

Nylon
Nylon is the toughest and most durable synthetic filament available. Gordon Brush uses Nylon 6.12 in ESD and Cleanroom brushes, the highest quality nylon available. Nylon bristles discourage bacterial growth and resist most acids. It is non-shedding, and is excellent for cleaning and scrubbing applications with its strong abrasion resistance properties. It does not scratch most surfaces.

Thunderon®
Thunderon® is an acrylic fiber that has been chemically bonded with a layer of copper sulfide. When this fine (.0015" diameter) conductive fiber nears the surface of static charged material, it will ionize the air which acts as a carrier of electrons away from the charged material. The bristle material has the bend recovery and resilience associated with acrylic fiber. It is also mixed with Goat Hair or other materials to add stiffness without diminishing its effects.

Brass
Brass is a softer wire than stainless steel, yet ideal for uses that include burnishing, polishing, non-sparking static removal and some deburring and material removal. Gordon Brush uses wire diameters that range from extremely soft to stiff.

Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel is a highly corrosion-resistant wire to be used where contamination or rust is a problem. The Stainless Steel Gordon Brush uses ranges from extremely soft to stiff. The fine, .003" diameter, wire is excellent for burnishing without removing the base material. Rust-proof and very strong, Stainless Steel is used to prevent harmful ferrous deposits on brushed parts. It is non-shedding.

If you want a material that is not mentioned here, please contact us. Gordon Brush has many filament types available and will gladly make your request.