Filter Weighing Assures Technical Cleanliness

Residual particulate contamination from manufacturing processes can seriously impact the quality and reliability of automotive fluid circuit components. ISO 16232 specifies the requirements and methods required in order to achieve technical cleanliness. Our filter weighing solutions ensure that companies can comfortably comply with this ISO norm.

Contamination with particulate matter can have a negative impact on the performance of automotive fluid circuit components demanding that the presence of residual particles from the manufacturing process and assembly environment must be closely monitored. Early identification of a contaminated part or batch of parts is critical in order to avoid complicated and expensive corrective measures at a later date. ISO 16232 specifies the requirements for ensuring the technical cleanliness of these components. In the following article we outline how the contaminants, which have been collected on filters, can be gravimetrically analyzed.

Collection of Contaminants
Various methods are available for extracting the contaminants from the components, e.g. ultrasonic or pressure rinsing, and filters are used to collect the residual particles from the extraction liquid. The amount of particulate matter on a filter can be determined by differential weighing. A series of measurements are taken for each component. ISO 16232 states that the series can be terminated when the last reading amounts to no more than 10% of the total matter collected. A blank measurement must also be taken, which accounts for the particulate matter originating from the collection equipment itself. This must be less than 10% of the contamination level to avoid the blank measurement becoming significant in comparison to the contamination level. E.g. if a 4-place balance records a blank value of 0.3 mg, at least 3 mg should be collected during the component test. METTLER TOLEDO’s Excellence series offers balances with up to 7 decimal places which ensure the requirements of the ISO 16232 norm are met with a low level of measurement uncertainty.

Efficient Weighing of Filters
METTLER TOLEDO offers a range of filter weighing solutions which perfectly complement the choice of balance for the accurate measurement of particulate matter on filters. The Filter Weighing Kit for Excellence XP Analytical Balances can be installed on the balance within seconds and accommodates filters up to 110 mm. The unique weighing pan acts as a Faraday cage to counteract the errors caused by electrostatic charging and contributes to more accurate and faster weighing results.

The Filter Weighing Kits for Excellence XP Micro and Ultra Micro Balances can accommodate filter sizes from 30 – 110 mm. These 6 and 7 place balances offer readability of 1 µg and 0.1 µg respectively. When electrostatic influence is of particular concern, optional anti-static de-ionizers offer a more powerful solution to remove electrostatic charge. In a fully automated process, our Filter Robot can achieve a very high throughput of one filter per minute.

A Complete Solution
One Click™ Weighing Solutions, powered by LabX software, supports the complete workflow for the differential weighing of filters. The method is easily adapted to individual requirements. LabX guides the user through each step of the process with clear instructions directly on the balance touchscreen. LabX stores all weight measurements in a secure database and the particulate mass is calculated automatically. No manual transcription is necessary and the storage of high quantities of data from numerous filters is no problem. Automatic upload of data into a company Enterprise Resource Platform, such as SAP, is easily facilitated.

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