Particle Size Class

Size x in µm

B

5 ≤ x < 15

C

15 ≤ x < 25

D

25 ≤ x < 50

E

50 ≤ x < 100

F

100 ≤ x < 150

G

150 ≤ x < 200

H

200 ≤ x < 400

I

400 ≤ x < 600

J

600 ≤ x < 1.000

K

1.000 ≤ x < 1.500

L

1.500 ≤ x < 2000

M

2.000 ≤ x < 3.000

N

3.000 ≤ x

1. Particle Concentration Classification

Depending on the normalization parameter the particle count per size class is expressed in cleanliness level as shown in the table:

Cleanliness Level

Particle Count
per 1000cm2 or 100cm3
up to including

00

0.00

0

1.00

1

2.00

2

4.00

3

8.00

4

16.00

5

32.00

6

64.00

7

130.00

8

250.00

9

500.00

10

1000.00

11

2000.00

12

4000.00

13

8000.00

14

16000.00

15

32000.00

16

64000.00

17

130000.00

18

250000.00

19

500000.00

20

1000000.00

21

2000000.00

22

4000000.00

23

8000000.00

24

16000000.00

> 24

2. Normalization

The absolute particle number is divided by a normalization factor:

  • Number of components N
  • Wetted component area A or
  • Wetted component volume V

Number of Components (N)

absolute number of particles / component number = normalized particle numbers
Result expression: normalized particle numbers

Wetted component area (A) in mm2

absolute number of particles / wetted component surface and normalization to standard area:*1000 cm2
Result expression: normalized cleanliness code

Wetted component volume (V) in cm3

absolute number of particles / wetted component surface and normalization to standard area*100 cm3
Result expression: normalized cleanliness codes

Example:

The cleanliness codes always refer to normalized and standardized particle results.

  • Number of components = 10
  • Wetted component Area = 200 cm2
  • Wetted component Volume = 50 cm3

Method: Standard Analysis

The standard analysis is fully parameterized from component extraction to filter analysis.

Advantages: The standard analysis has a good degree of result compatibility and is system and operator independent. No further agreement between customer and supplier is required.

Parameter

Description

Measurement of
particles

Length and/or width ≥ 50 µm

Length

Feret Max

Width

Feret Min

Relative image brightness

50 - 60%. Default value: 55%

Relative threshold

70%

Particle typification

Metallic shine as option (Multi Channel 90°/135°)

Contrast

Polarized light

Particle type class All does exclude fibers by default.

Specific fiber criterion based on elongated fiber length and maximum inner circle

Calculation on complete measurement area (effective filter diameter)

For more information, see Concept of Relative Image Brightness and Relative Threshold.

Method: Extended Analysis - Free Analysis

The extended analysis - free analysis is applied whenever supplementary particle information is required:

  • Smaller particle size classes
  • Particle height measurement

Any changes from the standard method must be documented in detail. You can use the extended analysis with the scope of the following:

  • Cause study for critical particles
  • Process optimization
  • Cleanliness specification beyond standard analysis, for example smaller size classes or 3rd dimension.

Parameter

Description

Measurement of particles

Length and/or width ≥ 5 µm

Length

Feret Max

Width

Feret Min

Individual relative image brightness

50 - 60%. Default value: 55%. Can be defined individually.

Individual relative threshold

70%. Can be defined individually.

Particle typification

Metallic shine as option (Multi Channel 90°/135°)

Contrast

Polarized light

Particle type class All does exclude fibers by default.

Specific fiber criterion based on elongated fiber length and maximum inner circle

Calculation on complete measurement area (effective filter diameter)

Default Values for Particle Typification

Parameter

Description

Metallic-Shiny

(Mean gray value > 200.0) or (Max. gray value ≥ 240.0)

Non-Shiny

Objects which are not fiber and not metallic-shiny.

Fiber

(Max. Inscribed Circle ≤ 50.0) and (Fiber Length/Max. Inscribed Circle > 20.0)

As a Supervisor, you can edit the values in the Standard Template Editor, see Standard Template Editor.

Occupancy Rate

The occupancy rate is a measurement value to describe the quality of the specimen preparation in terms of particle density, and the distribution of particles on the effective filter area. The calculation is performed as follows:

Sum of the particle area of all detected particles in relation to measurement frame area. Value in %.

For more information, see

3. Core parameter for size class distribution

Length = Feret Max (default use case), see Feret Maximum

Width = Feret Min (default use case), see Feret Minimum

Maximum inscribed circle = The largest circle that can be inscribed inside an area, see Diameter Maximum Inscribed Circle Filled

Fibers, see Fiber Length