ISO 12103 1 A1 Ultrafine Test Contaminant

ISO 12103-1 A1 Ultrafine Test Dust is a laboratory-standardized synthetic dust developed to represent natural atmospheric dust with a very fine particle profile. It is commonly used in evaluating the performance of HEPA/ULPA filters, electronic device seals, and optical/mechanical assemblies requiring ultra-tight environmental protection.

The A1 grade is the finest of all ISO 12103-1 test dusts (A1“A4), characterized by a D50 of 3 µm and a narrow particle size range designed for precision filtration and ingress testing.

Applications

• High-efficiency filter testing (HEPA, ULPA, MERV 16+)

• Ingress Protection (IP5X/IP6X) testing for fine dust

• Electronics sealing and enclosure integrity evaluations

• Aerospace and military optics contamination trials

• Research involving micro-particle dispersion and dust simulations

“ FAQs “ ISO 12103-1 A1 Ultrafine Dust

Q: How is A1 different from A2 or A4 dust?
A: A1 is ultrafine, with smaller particles than A2 (Fine) or A4 (Ultrafine + Large Range). It™s ideal for testing microporous filters and high-seal devices.

Q: Is it safe to use in cleanroom simulation?
A: Yes. It is inert, non-toxic, and non-reactive, but proper PPE and dust handling protocols must be followed.

Q: What certification does this dust support?
A: Commonly used for ISO 16890, EN 1822, MIL-STD-810, IEC 60529, and ASHRAE 52.2 testing.