---
title: How can I select the right swab for my needs?
description: Selecting the right swab for your application. what is the difference between heads?
---
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# How can I select the right swab for my needs?
## Selecting the right swab for your application. what is the difference between heads?
**Head Type**
Berkshire Lab-Tips® swabs are available with various types of tip materials to ensure the right swab is available for your needs.
**Knitted polyester:** Berkshire’s knitted polyester swabs are made from clean room laundered continuous filament polyester for exceptional purity and offer low ionic contamination
levels along with excellent durability and absorbent capacity. Knitted polyester swabs have excellent chemical resistance and are compatible with organic
solvents.
**Reticulated (Open Cell):** Reticulated or open cell foams are structures in which the cell windows have been removed by thermal or chemical means. This process results in a
foam: structure that has excellent liquid retention and particle entrapment capability. Berkshire’s open cell foam swabs are made from clean room laundered 100ppi
polyurethane foam for superior cleanliness.
**Non-reticulated: Closed cell** foams are completely sealed with cell windows intact. Closed cell foams generally exhibit higher density, greater durability and reduced absorption
(Closed Cell) foam: versus open cell foams. Berkshire’s closed cell foam swabs are manufactured from 100 ppi polyurethane.
**Nonwoven Polyester:** Swabs made from 100% polyester nonwoven material are absorbent, non-abrasive and have very low ionic contamination and NVR levels. These swabs are also
compatible with most solvents.
**PPI (Pores/Linear inch) :** The number of cells per linear inch in the foam membrane. A measure of foam density.
**Packaging**
Berkshire’s swabs are double bagged in cleanroom bags manufactured from high purity polyethylene resin that insures ultra low organic and inorganic residues. Bags are free from silicone, amides,
and DOP and comply with RoHS directives. An easy tear notch and solvent resistant inner pack labels insure ease of use.
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