Dirt particles or films on components and assemblies can cause damage, from merely annoying to fatal. They may impair the function or service life of…
- the components themselves when they are later in operation.
- other parts of the system in which they will later be used (for example, in an engine).
- the equipment in the further production and assembly process.
In mechanical systems, this can cause bearings and sliding surfaces to jam, filters and nozzles to clog or valves to block. In electronic components, contamination can cause short circuits, voltage flashovers, and leakage currents or isolate contacts.
Dirt particles are often harmless to the components themselves, but can cause damage elsewhere; for example, in fluid circuits (in the case of fuel and coolants) if they are washed into filters and valves. In another article, you will find a detailed example of the danger that particles can pose in an e-car battery.
The more complex and sensitive components are, the more relevant Technical Cleanliness becomes. Modern, fuel-efficient engines, for example, are much more susceptible than older models. In vehicle assistance systems, even a single particle of dirt on a camera sensor could lead to errors and trigger a fatal accident.