In the standard “VDA 19.1 Monitoring of technical cleanliness – Particulate contamination of functionally relevant automotive components” published by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), for the ISO 16232 series of standards, the following topics are covered in more detail:
The extraction methods addressed in the VDA 19.1 standard include:
Particle analysis methods included in the VDA 19.1 standard include:
Extraction method: In order to analyze the contaminant particles on the component surfaces, it is necessary to first separate them from the surface. This process is called extraction. In order to remove the residual dirt from the surface and transfer it to a liquid medium, various methods such as spraying, flotation, rinsing and ultrasonic cleaning are used to clean the component. The extracted particles are collected on a filter membrane and prepared for further analysis.
Particle analysis: With technical cleanliness verification, contamination on the surfaces of a component is detected and analyzed as completely as possible. In this way, any systemic contamination originating from the production process or the environment, such as jamming of bearings or sliding surfaces, blocked valves or blocked filters and nozzles, which could cause damage, is prevented. Depending on the depth of analysis required, various analysis methods are applied:
Essentially, the ISO 16232 and VDA19 standards set a working level that helps achieve equal conditions in terms of cleanliness.
VDA is a German safety system standard, specific to the automotive industry, and was created to improve workplace safety. Today, the organization also focuses on quality management. Its standards are recognized worldwide, and its influence helps shape the direction of the automotive industry.
The ISO 16232 standard was first introduced as a specific standard for road vehicle production. It has undergone many updates since then, but essentially describes the principles of removing contaminants and particles from a component by a type of pressure rinsing.
The main objectives of these standards include:
In order to achieve an effective cleanliness measurement in automotive components, several factors must be taken into account. Materials are the priority, behind which machining methods, lubrication oils, cooling materials, washing materials, external contaminants and similar sources of contamination must be determined. In addition, the employees themselves in the operation can also have some influence. Trained employees are more careful in the processing of the processed product and can reduce possible sources of contamination. The final parts of the process are the filtration, cleaning and finally the cleanliness measurement steps. All these stages and processes leave traces in the finished product. The VDA 19 standard focuses on this trace and the entire framework aims to provide a method both to identify and eliminate contaminants and to improve quality throughout the entire production process.
The VDA 19 standard has undergone many updates since its initial publication, in response to changing policy and increased scientific understanding of the relevant processes. However, it shares many similarities with the ISO 16232 standard. Here are a few areas where it differs:
Among the numerous tests, measurements, analyses and evaluations carried out by our organization for businesses in various sectors, our organization also provides testing services defined in the standard “VDA 19.1 Control of technical cleanliness - Particle contamination of functionally relevant automotive components” with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.
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