The highest Cleaning Standards Required by ISO 16232-10

Why Firbimatic Systems are Ideal for Meeting the Highest Cleaning Standards Required by ISO 16232-10

— 04 / 07 / 2024 Firbimatic systems excel in meeting the rigorous cleanliness standards mandated by ISO 16232-10 due to several key reasons. ISO 16232-10 is part of a crucial series of standards in the automotive industry that focuses on the cleanliness of components used in road vehicles. It specifically details the expression of results for cleanliness testing, aiming to ensure consistent reporting and interpretation of contamination levels.

1. Precision Engineering

Firbimatic designs and manufactures cleaning systems with precision engineering that ensures thorough removal of contaminants. This precision is crucial for meeting specific cleanliness requirements outlined in ISO 16232-10, which demands accurate measurements expressed in terms of mass or count of particles per unit area or volume.

2. Advanced Cleaning Technologies

The advanced technologies employed by Firbimatic systems, such as ultrasonic cleaning and precise filtration systems, are highly effective in achieving and maintaining cleanliness levels as per ISO standards. These technologies help in categorising particle sizes into classes (often in micrometres) to assess contaminant distribution, a key element of ISO 16232-10.

3. Customisable Solutions

Firbimatic offers customisable cleaning solutions tailored to the unique needs of automotive and industrial applications. This flexibility allows manufacturers to meet stringent cleanliness criteria without compromise. ISO 16232-10 distinguishes between different types of particles, such as metallic, non-metallic, and fibres, and Firbimatic’s systems are designed to address these variations effectively.

4. Reliability and Consistency

Firbimatic systems are known for their reliability and consistency in cleaning performance. This reliability ensures that cleanliness standards are consistently met over time, aligning with ISO 16232-10 requirements. The standard specifies correct methods for sample collection to ensure reproducibility, which Firbimatic systems support through their robust design and operation.

5. Comprehensive Support

Firbimatic provides comprehensive support to clients, including training, maintenance, and ongoing technical assistance, to ensure optimal performance and compliance with ISO cleanliness standards. This support is crucial for interpreting results accurately, such as understanding contamination levels, particle counts, size distributions, and types of contaminants.
By integrating Firbimatic’s advanced cleaning solutions into manufacturing processes, automotive manufacturers can uphold ISO 16232-10 guidelines and interpret cleanliness results accurately. This commitment ensures enhanced performance, reliability, and overall quality of automotive components, setting new benchmarks for cleanliness and excellence in the industry.

Expressing Cleanliness Measurement Results
Particulate contamination, measured in the total volume of extraction fluid used in methods described in the ISO 16232 series, is quantified based on:

Individual components
A reference surface area of 1,000 cm² of wetted surface of a component
A reference volume of 100 cm³ of wetted volume of a component

Contamination levels can be expressed by the total mass, the size distribution of particles (number of particles per size class), combined with the nature of the particles, or the size of the largest particle found. Data may also be combined, e.g., total mass and largest particle size. Cleanliness levels should only be compared when in the same units of measurement, either per 1,000 cm² of wetted surface or 100 cm³ of wetted volume.

Expressing Particle Size Distribution Analysis Results – Component Cleanliness Code (CCC)
After conducting cleanliness and contamination tests, and analysing the filter where contaminant particles are collected, the CCC (Component Cleanliness Code) can be expressed.
The CCC is written as a sequence enclosed in parentheses and separated by slashes, consisting of alphanumeric pairs that specify various size classes and their contamination levels. Uppercase letters A or V before the parentheses refer to the wetted volume of the component.
A sample CCC might be:
CCC = A (G8/H7/I5/J/K00)
Where:

A = the cleanliness code relates to a specified wetted volume
G, H, I, J, ..., K = particle size classes
8, 7, 5 ..., 00 = contamination levels for each size class

Tables exist for particle size classes and contamination levels, which indicate the number of particles present on the filter for each size class.
A distinctive feature of this standard is the differentiation between a double zero (00) and a single zero (0). Double zero signifies the complete absence of particles, while a single zero indicates a fractional presence of particles across multiple samples. Misunderstanding this distinction can lead to errors, as was the case when a client incorrectly flagged a report due to unfamiliarity with the standard.

Expressing Contamination Levels
Contamination levels can be expressed in various ways, using particle size classes and contamination levels. The levels may refer to the entire size range, indicating all classes, or only specific classes with results. Consecutive classes with the same cleanliness level are grouped in the code. When referring to a broader size range, the coding follows a different logic as detailed in the standard. For further details, refer to the full standard.
Remember, double zero “00” indicates no particles, while single zero “0” represents particle counts between 0 and 1.