Adhesive Tacky Mat

What is the Adhesive Tacky Mat?

An adhesive tacky mat is a stack of peel-off adhesive sheets placed at cleanroom entrances to trap particles from shoe soles and cart wheels. It is a low-cost contamination-control step at the gowning-area threshold.

Overview

Each mat has 30 to 60 polyethylene sheets coated with pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive on one side. Standard sizes are 450 × 900 mm (18 × 36 inches) and 600 × 900 mm, and the sheets peel off in succession to reveal a fresh layer. Adhesives can be low-tack for floor protection or high-tack for shoe cleaning, with peel strength of about 2–5 N/25 mm. The mats can be placed directly on the floor or in a frame. Colours are blue or white for visibility, and sheets are cut with a tab for easy peeling. Sterile options and cleanroom-packed variants exist. Effectiveness drops as dust accumulates, so a schedule for sheet removal, typically each shift, is needed.

How does it work?

Cleanroom accessories work by limiting the generation, transfer and retention of contaminants. Garments and gloves act as barriers against skin flakes, hair and fibres shed by personnel, using tightly woven low-linting fabrics with pore sizes small enough to retain particles of 0.5 micrometres or larger. Wipers absorb and remove liquids and particles using continuous-filament polyester or microfibre knit with sealed edges, so fibres do not release. Tacky mats use a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer that captures particles from shoe soles and cart wheels as they walk across. Shoe covers and boots contain floor contamination. Materials are selected for low particle shedding, low ionic and extractable residues, and compatibility with disinfectants, with cleaning and packaging done in controlled environments.

What are the key features?

• 30–60 peel-off polyethylene sheets per mat
• Pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive layer
• Low-tack and high-tack versions
• Standard sizes 450 × 900 mm and 600 × 900 mm
• Tab-edge sheets for easy peeling
• Sterile and cleanroom-packed options

What are the technical specifications?

A typical adhesive tacky mat configuration offers sheets per mat of 30–60, mat size of 450 × 900 mm or 600 × 900 mm, adhesive of Acrylic, pressure sensitive, peel strength of 2–5 N/25 mm, sheet thickness of ≈ 30 μm polyethylene and particle capture efficiency of > 90 % when fresh. Values are indicative of the product class; the exact figures for each configuration are confirmed on the quotation and the calibration documents supplied with the instrument.

Which applications is it used for?

The Adhesive Tacky Mat is used in gowning-area entrances, cleanroom corridors, cart wheel cleaning and pharmaceutical plants. Across the wider Cleanroom Accessories class, laboratories also deploy it for pharmaceutical manufacturing, semiconductor fabs and medical-device assembly.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include IEST-RP-CC003 (garment system considerations), IEST-RP-CC004 (evaluating wiping materials), IEST-RP-CC005 (cleanroom gloves), ISO 14644-5 (cleanroom operations), ASTM D6319 (nitrile examination gloves) and EU GMP Annex 1 (sterile manufacturing). Certification candidates for this model are CE and ISO 9001 manufacturing; each is to be confirmed for the specific configuration before shipment, and certificates are supplied only where they have been issued.

Store accessories in sealed bags or cabinets in the clean area, away from moisture and sunlight, and follow first-in-first-out rotation with expiry dates. Verify supplier certificates and lot test data on receipt, including particle counts, bioburden and sterility for sterile items. Set garment laundering cycles and inspect for tears and zipper damage. Change gloves often, for example every 2 hours or when contaminated, and never reuse disposable items. Replace tacky mat sheets when soiled, and follow a documented schedule. Incorporate accessories into gowning SOPs and training, and keep records for GMP or ISO 14644 audits.

How do I select the right Adhesive Tacky Mat?

Choose tacky mats at each entrance to an ISO 6–8 area, and pair them with cleanroom shoes. They do not replace floor cleaning. RFQ: mat size, sheets per mat, adhesive tack level, colour, sterile option and peeling schedule.

How does it compare with other Cleanroom Accessories variants?

Start from the room class and the contamination risk of the process. ISO 7–8 areas often use polyester garments and nitrile gloves, while ISO 5 sterile areas need sterile, double-gloved garments in low-particle fabrics. Check particle shedding, often tested to IEST-RP-CC003 and IEST-RP-CC004, extractable ions, absorbency and sterility assurance level when sterile is required. For gloves, compare thickness, length, AQL and chemical resistance. For wipers, match fibre type, edge sealing and solvent compatibility. Consider packaging, such as double bagging, and lot traceability. Compare sizes, cost per use and laundering cycles for reusable garments, and ensure items are compatible with ESD requirements in electronics.