In controlled environments, the “swab” is not just a consumable — it becomes part of the measurement system. When sampling results are trended, audited, or tied to a deviation investigation, the questions quickly shift from “Did we sample?” to “Can we prove what we used, that it was sterile, and that it was in date?” That is where individually packaged, lot-coded sterile swabs reduce risk: they keep the sampling event anchored to documentation, not memory.

STX763 is positioned for sterile point-of-use control: a spun polyester head on a polystyrene handle, packaged as one swab per sleeve with lot coding and an expiration date on each unit. Gamma irradiation is used to support a defined sterility assurance claim, and the layered bagging configuration is designed to help reduce handling compromise during introduction into cleaner areas.

Low-linting outcomes still depend on technique and surface condition. No swab is truly lint-free; edge sharpness, surface roughness, wetness level, contact pressure, and stroke discipline govern what you see on the part and what you recover in the sample.

Texwipe STX763 is used for sterile surface sampling and controlled swabbing where you need unit-level traceability and predictable handling. It is commonly selected for seams, ports, touch surfaces, recessed features, and irregular geometries where wipes, contact plates, or larger sampling devices are impractical.

Typical applications include diagnostic sampling, environmental monitoring, and cleaning with compatible solvents such as IPA (and, in some manufacturer guidance for the spun swab series, solvents such as acetone — validate shaft compatibility and dwell time before adopting aggressive chemistries). The swab is also referenced for surface sampling and picking up fine powders when a defined, disposable contact tip is operationally useful.

• Sterile, unit-packed design supports point-of-use control: 1 swab per peel-apart sleeve helps reduce head contact during presentation.
• Lot coding and expiration dating on each sleeve supports chain-of-custody discipline and speeds investigations.
• Spun polyester head provides practical pickup for particles and light residues while maintaining a controlled, consistent geometry for repeatable technique.
• Layered packaging configuration (50 sleeves per inner bag, triple-bagged; multiple bags per case) supports staged introduction into cleaner areas and reduces exterior-bag contamination risk.
• Gamma irradiation supports a defined sterility assurance claim and aligns the product with sterile-program expectations where documentation is non-negotiable.
• Polystyrene handle offers durability and operator control during sampling strokes.
• Program reliability: SOSCleanroom’s long-running relationship with ITW Texwipe helps reduce unplanned substitutions that can change sampling recovery, background signals, and audit documentation flow.

Head: 100% spun polyester (USP-grade positioning in manufacturer literature)

Head bond: water-based/aqueous adhesive (adhesive-bonded interface)

Handle: polystyrene; long, slender format; handle color: white

Practical implication: adhesive-bonded spun swabs can be a strong fit for sampling and general-purpose sterile swabbing, but they reward wetness control. Avoid flooding the head (especially near the bond line). For ultra-critical residue control (where adhesive variables are unacceptable), a fully thermal-bonded knit polyester or thermally bonded foam swab family is often the more conservative process choice.

STX763’s dimensions map directly to access, contact control, and repeatability. The ~5.8 mm head width and thickness provide a compact contact patch that can reach seams and small features while still maintaining enough structure for consistent stroke geometry. The long handle supports reach and helps operators hold a stable angle without “choking up” close to the sampling plane — a common cause of inconsistent pressure and accidental head contact.

Note on handle length: published values can differ by measurement convention (e.g., whether the portion embedded in the head is counted as handle). The manufacturer lists a 134.0 mm handle length, while some catalog listings show ~137.0 mm. Treat total length and head dimensions as the most comparable cross-source controls, then qualify technique with a simple bench mockup of your target geometry.

Attribute	STX763
Head material	spun polyester
Head width	5.8 mm (0.228")
Head thickness	5.8 mm (0.228")
Head length	18.0 mm (0.709")
Handle material	polystyrene
Handle width	2.5 mm (0.098")
Handle thickness	2.5 mm (0.098")
Handle length	134.0 mm (5.276") manufacturer listing; some catalog listings show ~137.0 mm (5.394")
Total swab length	155.0 mm (6.102")
Head bond	adhesive (water-based/aqueous)
Handle color	white
Design notes	large head; long polystyrene handle; sterile unit sleeve

For sterile sampling, the practical goal is not just “clean” — it is known background. Manufacturer literature for this sterile spun swab family notes testing for endotoxins, ions, and nonvolatile residue (NVR), but published numeric extractables are not always presented at the single-SKU level in publicly posted summaries. In residue-sensitive work (TOC, HPLC/UV-Vis, ion chromatography) or regulated sampling, qualify the complete method (swab + wetting agent + container + hold time + lab recovery) and use blanks so the swab does not become the dominant background signal.

Metric	STX763
Typical ion extractables table	Request lot-level documentation when needed (CoA/CoC/irradiation documentation) and validate with method blanks.

Metric	STX763
Typical NVR table	Use blanks + qualification with your solvent/surface; avoid over-wetting that can increase smear risk and background.

Operator takeaway: when results are close to a limit, “clean technique” must become visible technique. Use the same stroke count, the same overlap, and the same wetness control every time — and log it.

• Packaging (unit): 1 swab per peel-apart sleeve; each sleeve is lot coded and carries an expiration date.
• Packaging (case): 50 sleeves per inner bag (triple-bagged); 10 outer bags per case; 500 swabs per case total. (Often described commercially as 10 “boxes” of 50 per case.)
• Sterility: gamma irradiated; sterility assurance level (SAL) 10^-6 is stated in manufacturer literature for this sterile spun swab family.
• Documentation cues: lot/expiration on each unit sleeve; case-level documentation may include irradiation/compliance documentation (program dependent).
• Shelf life (series statement): sterile – 3 years from date of manufacture (verify the expiration date on the sleeve and your receiving log).
• Country-of-origin (series statement): sterile – made in the Philippines; gamma-irradiated in the USA.

Treat STX763 primarily as a sterile sampling tool: prioritize repeatability and traceability over “scrub power.” Define a sampling pattern (area, stroke count, overlap), define wetness control, and define how swabs are staged and discarded so results are comparable across operators and across time.

• Open and present without contaminating the head: Tear the sleeve deliberately and present the swab by the handle. Avoid glove contact with the head. If the sleeve tears poorly or the head touches the sleeve edge, treat it as compromised and discard.
• Wetness control (sampling vs. cleaning): If your method uses a wetting agent (e.g., IPA), keep the head damp — not dripping. Over-wetting can spread residue, pool in crevices, and pull fluid toward the adhesive bond line.
• Stroke discipline: Use single-direction, overlapping strokes. Avoid circular scrubbing unless your written method requires it. Rotate the swab as it loads; stop once streaking, drag increase, or visible loading appears.
• Seams, threads, and ports: Use controlled, light pressure and avoid twisting at the wrist. Twisting increases fiber release risk on sharp edges and can smear residues into a line rather than lifting them.
• Compatibility framing: Polyester is broadly compatible with many solvents. Polystyrene handles can be challenged by aggressive chemistries and long dwell times. If your SOP uses ketones or strong solvents, qualify handle integrity in your real dwell/temperature window before standardizing.
• Chain-of-custody habits: Capture lot code + expiration date + sample ID together. When trending, add the sampling area estimate and stroke count so results remain comparable even when staffing changes.

• Compromising sterility by touching the head, dragging the head across the sleeve edge, or staging opened sleeves on uncontrolled surfaces.
• Over-wetting and flooding features, leading to pooling, smear transfer, and a higher background signal in blanks.
• Twisting/scrubbing on threads or sharp edges, increasing fiber release and reducing recovery consistency.
• Reworking the same area with a loaded head, creating streaks and redeposition that confuses both cleaning outcomes and sample interpretation.
• Incomplete documentation (missing lot/expiration), turning a valid sampling event into a weak sampling record during review.

The closest alternatives are sterile, individually packaged polyester sampling swabs with comparable head size and documentation controls. When comparing, focus on (1) unit-level lot/expiration marking, (2) sterility claim documentation, (3) handle polymer compatibility with your wetting chemistry, and (4) consistency of supply (substitutions can change recovery and background).

• Puritan sterile polyester swab families (diagnostic/surface sampling class): Often selected for specimen collection and surface sampling. Compare unit packaging, lot/expiration marking, and published quality documentation supporting your program.
• Copan sterile polyester swab families (sampling-focused formats): Strong presence in sampling workflows. Compare head geometry, handle compatibility, and chain-of-custody documentation features.
• Berkshire sterile polyester swab classes (cleanroom-oriented sampling): Evaluate data availability, packaging discipline, and whether the supplier supports consistent lot-level documentation and stable lead times for your validated method.

STX763 fits sterile sampling and controlled swabbing in pharmaceutical, biologics, medical device, and diagnostic environments where the sampling record must remain defensible. It is also a practical tool for cleanroom maintenance and environmental monitoring when a defined, disposable, sterile contact tip is preferred for consistency.

SOSCleanroom’s relationship with ITW Texwipe supports continuity of supply and documentation discipline. That reduces the risk of unplanned substitutions that can change recovery behavior, background extractables, and audit readiness — a meaningful advantage for ISO-aligned programs and regulated environments where documentation expectations often track FDA quality systems and standards-driven methods associated with ASTM and IEST.

Operational support matters, too. Fast shipping and responsive customer service help keep validated work instructions intact by preventing “make-do” material swaps when production schedules tighten.