Particle analysis and cleanliness control

The degree of cleanliness required for components and assemblies has risen steadily over the past few years, particularly in the automotive and medical engineering sectors. Functional quality is directly linked to the existence of particle contamination, and its quantitative detection in any component depends on the testing methods used. Even the most minute particle contaminants can cause a component or an assembly unit to fail, and this in turn can lead to the failure of the machine, or the entire technical installation.

Cleanliness inspections measure any and all relevant particle contamination originating from the manufacturing process and production environment, wherever these particles exist on surfaces which affect the component’s function. However, there are no definitive methods available to check cleanliness. Due to the wide variety of components in question, and the complex geometries involved, it is rarely possible to carry out measurements that will determine how clean a component is, especially since its functional areas are often enclosed. An indirect multi-stage procedure is carried out as stipulated by guidelines for testing technical cleanliness (VDA 19 [approx. equivalent to ISO 16232]), whereby customized test-engineering solutions can also be employed to satisfy extensive and varied cleanliness requirements.

Fraunhofer Cleaning is a competent and powerful partner to industry in the area of technical cleanliness. Assignments involving particle analysis and cleanliness control are carried out by qualified personnel in a wide range of testing and analysis facilities that exceed today’s state-of-the-art.