Foam wiping sticks mainly consist of two parts: the wiping head and the support rod. The head is primarily made of high-density foam, such as highly hydrophilic PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) foam or polyurethane (PU) and polyester foam with excellent adsorption properties. The rod is usually made of materials such as polypropylene (PP), plastic, wood, or metal, and some have anti-static properties.
PVA foam, due to its hydrophilic molecular structure, can rapidly adsorb and retain moisture through capillary action, achieving a water absorption rate of 8-10 times its own weight. Polyurethane (PU) foam has strong adsorption capacity and is suitable for cleaning grease and solvents; while polyester foam is more suitable for removing fine particles from electronic components. Sponges are classified into different types according to their density (usually expressed in PPI, i.e., pores per inch). For example, 100 PPI sponges have a lower density, absorb water quickly but are relatively prone to shedding lint, and are mostly used in the medical field; while high-density sponges of 400-500 PPI are less prone to shedding lint, have a higher cleanliness level, and are more suitable for high-cleanliness environments such as the electronics industry. PP plastic wipers often achieve anti-static properties through special chemical formulations, with surface resistance controlled within a specific range (e.g., 10^6 to 10^9 ohms) to quickly release static charge and protect sensitive electronic components. The head and body are primarily connected using a thermoforming process. This process fuses the materials through heating, avoiding contamination from organic pollutants (such as silicone, ammonia, and phthalates) that may arise from adhesives, while also ensuring a strong connection and preventing the head from detaching during wiping.
Head shapes are diverse to suit different cleaning scenarios, commonly including pointed heads (for reaching crevices), round heads (available in large and small round heads for a larger contact area), flat heads, and square heads. Some products feature replaceable wipe heads, requiring only the head to be replaced after use, eliminating the need to discard the entire wiper and reducing long-term costs.
