Why it matters
Particles can block passages, damage surfaces, affect lubrication and reduce the reliability of critical components.
Technical Cleanliness Solutions
Technical cleanliness systems extract and collect contamination from manufactured components for gravimetry, particle analysis and reporting against the applicable cleanliness requirement.
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What is Technical Cleanliness?
Technical cleanliness measures the amount, size and type of contamination present on manufactured components. It helps manufacturers control particles that can affect product performance, reliability and service life.
What contamination means
Contamination may include machining chips, fibres, dust, sealant residues and other particles left after manufacturing or assembly.
How it is tested
Components are cleaned using a controlled extraction method. The collected contamination is then evaluated by gravimetry, particle analysis or both.
Journey
Define the requirement first, then control extraction, particle analysis and reporting as one repeatable Technical Cleanliness process.
- 01Planning
Requirement Discussion
Define the component, cleanliness requirement and expected test outcome.
- 02
Contamination Risk Study
Review component geometry, surfaces and contamination-sensitive features.
- 03Engineering
Extraction Method Selection
Select the extraction method from the component geometry, material and cleanliness requirement.
- 04
Extraction and Filtration
Release contamination and collect extracted particles on a clean membrane.
- 05Analysis
Particle Analysis
Evaluate collected particles using the required analysis method.
- 06
Compliance Reporting
Document results against the applicable customer or test requirement.
- 07Support
Process Support
Validate the method and train operators to repeat the test consistently.
Contamination Extraction Methods
Component geometry, material, contamination risk and the applicable standard determine the extraction method. The system can use pressurised rinsing, ultrasonic, air or functional extraction.
Pressurised Rinsing
Controlled liquid rinsing removes and collects particles from component surfaces for filtration and evaluation.
Ultrasonic Extraction
Ultrasonic energy releases particles from suitable components immersed in a controlled extraction bath.
Air Extraction
Filtered compressed air removes contamination from components that require a controlled dry extraction method.
Functional Extraction
Clean fluid is circulated through a component or passage to collect contamination from its working surfaces.
Industries and Applications
Technical cleanliness testing is used for components where particles can affect function, reliability or service life.
Automotive
- Engine blocks
- Cylinder heads
- Fuel injectors
- Transmission parts
- Steering components
- Brake-system parts
EV Components
- Battery cooling plates
- Electric drive units
- E-axles
- Inverter cooling circuits
- Thermal-management components
- Battery-pack fluid circuits
Aerospace
- Hydraulic components
- Fuel-system components
- Actuators
- Valves
- Bearings
- Precision-machined parts
Medical Devices
- Fluid-handling components
- Surgical instruments
- Pumps
- Valves
- Tubes and connectors
- Precision implants or assemblies
Precision Engineering
- Machined housings
- Hydraulic manifolds
- Pneumatic components
- Bearings
- Gears
- Small precision assemblies
Heavy Engineering
- Hydraulic cylinders
- Pumps
- Large machined housings
- Lubrication-system components
- Industrial valves
- Gearbox components
Standards
Testing methods and reporting are selected against the applicable standard, component requirement and customer specification.
ISO 16232:2018
Road vehicles - Cleanliness of components and systems
VDA 19.1:2015
Inspection of Technical Cleanliness - Particle Contamination of Functionally Relevant Automotive Parts
ISO 4406:2021
Hydraulic fluid power - Fluids - Method for coding the level of contamination by solid particles
ISO 4407
Hydraulic fluid power - Fluid contamination - Determination of particulate contamination by the counting method using an optical microscope
ISO 18413
Hydraulic fluid power - Cleanliness of components - Inspection document and principles related to contaminant extraction and analysis, and data reporting
ASTM F312
Standard Test Methods for Microscopical Sizing and Counting Particles from Aerospace Fluids on Membrane Filters
OEM Technical Cleanliness Specifications
Customer-specific cleanliness specifications used by global automotive and industrial OEMs
Why Conation
One technical team plans the laboratory, selects the extraction method, configures analysis, validates the method and trains operators.
Complete laboratory responsibility
Planning, controlled extraction, analysis, reporting and operator training are considered as one working laboratory.
Extraction-system manufacturing
Conation manufactures extraction and filtration systems for practical component-cleanliness testing.
Multiple extraction methods
Select pressurised rinsing, ultrasonic, air or functional extraction from the component geometry and contamination risk.
Laboratory planning
Layout, utilities, contamination control and equipment placement follow the test sequence.
In-house analysis expertise
Conation develops the analysis software and applies particle-analysis methods to evaluation and reporting.
Method validation and training
Method development, validation and operator training keep testing consistent.
Related Solutions
Products and services used to build and operate a Technical Cleanliness laboratory.
Technical Cleanliness Analysis
Extraction, filtration, gravimetry and laboratory integration systems.
ExploreDeXel-Filtrate® Particle Analysis Systems
Particle measurement, classification and cleanliness reporting.
ExploreCleanroom & Laboratory Solutions
Controlled environments for reliable Technical Cleanliness testing.
ExploreTechnical Cleanliness Testing Services
Commercial laboratory testing, validation and reporting support.
ExploreTechnical Cleanliness Consumables
Membranes, solvents, filter holders and extraction accessories.
ExploreFrequently Asked Questions
Define your Technical Cleanliness process.
Share the component, cleanliness limit, extraction requirement and current laboratory setup. We will review the appropriate test method and equipment.