Electronics, Semiconductors & Energy Technology
Component cleaning FOR semiconductors and energy technology. From cleanrooms to turbines.
This is where the widest range of cleaning technology is found: from heavy turbine and pump components covered in scale and operational deposits, right through to vacuum valves and wafer-handling parts, where a single particle lodged in an M2.5 thread can bring a process to a standstill. We cater for both – with distinctly different process designs.
Four requirement profiles under one roof
What is considered ‘clean’ here depends heavily on the field of application – four profiles with very different thresholds, but underpinned by the same level of technical expertise.
Semiconductors, vacuum and cleanroom technology
In this context, ‘clean’ is not clean enough from a metrological point of view. The challenges include ultrafine particles from the tiniest threads, organic residue films, ionic contamination and residues from deep blind holes. To make matters worse: the cleaning chemicals themselves can become a source of contamination, water quality is a key factor, and no smear must remain after drying. Manual cleaning is not sufficiently reproducible at this level.
Power electronics
Heat sinks, power modules, busbars and substrates must have defined surface properties prior to bonding, sintering or coating – free from particles and without any organic film. It is not only metal particles that are critical here, but also polishing and grinding residues, greases and silicones. And because contamination can be carried through the entire production chain, it is not only the cleaning result that counts, but also ensuring that no contamination is reintroduced between the individual steps.
Battery and contact components
Battery housings, cell and module components, busbars, cell connectors and contact parts are crucial to the electrical connection. An invisible residual film increases the contact resistance or renders the laser weld seam unusable; at contact points, ionic contamination is also a factor. Cleaning is carried out prior to laser and ultrasonic welding, as well as before bonding, sealing and contacting – on sensitive aluminium surfaces and usually in high volumes.
Energy systems: conventional and hydrogen
In conventional power engineering, large, heavy components, deep media channels and heavy soiling are the norm, particularly during maintenance. Hydrogen and fuel cell applications, on the other hand, demand a significantly higher standard: low ionic and film-related contamination, and no contamination in fluid channels – particularly where sensitive materials are used.
Typical components
- Process chamber and wafer handling components
- Vacuum valves, pump components, fittings
- Gas and media conduits, ultra-high-purity piping components
- Heat sinks, power modules, busbars, substrates
- Battery housings, cell and module components, packs
- Cell connectors and contact parts
- High-precision aluminium and stainless steel parts
- Turbine and compressor components, pump casings, valves
- Wind and hydro power components, hydraulic components
- Electrolyser components, fuel cell and hydrogen components
Typical types of dirt
- ultrafine particles, metal particles
- Machining oil, grease, silicones, organic residues
- Polishing and grinding residues, ionic contamination
- Film-like residues and fingerprints on contact surfaces
- Residues from deep blind holes and threads
- Scale, corrosion, salt and operational deposits (maintenance)
Why we clean
Cleanroom assembly · Vacuum applications · Coating · Bonding and sintering · Prevention of contamination carry-over · Ensuring defined surface finishes · Protection of sensitive wafer processes
From robust components to cleanroom handover
The higher the purity requirement, the less effective a single process becomes. We combine several mechanisms of action, carry out controlled rinsing stages using water of a defined quality, monitor conductivity and media circuits, filter with high efficiency, and ensure that channels and blind holes drain completely once again. Formulations and processes can be documented – and we organise post-cleaning handling in such a way that the level of cleanliness achieved is not compromised on the way back to the cleanroom.
Cleanroom connection completed
Delivery up to ISO Class 7
Tests at the technical centre
prior to system design
Multiple mechanisms of action
combined in a solution
In-house testing laboratory
In-house verification
OUR SOLUTIONS: TAILOR-MADE CLEANING SYSTEMS FROM SILBERHORN
From heavy turbine components to parts that are transferred directly into the cleanroom: our systems combine multiple cleaning mechanisms and controlled rinsing stages – tailored to the cleanliness class required by your process.
Where high purity is a must
Semiconductors, vacuum technology, contact components and hydrogen are the areas where we most frequently reach the limits of conventional component cleaning. We explain on a dedicated page how we design high-purity processes, which systems are suitable for this purpose, and what a cleanroom handover actually involves.
Services – have it cleaned, have it checked
Contract cleaning without any investment of your own.
We can take care of cleaning your components as part of our contract cleaning service – during periods of peak demand, at the start of production runs, or if it is not yet cost-effective to operate your own facility.
In-house VDA test laboratory.
Residual contamination analysis, gravimetry, optical analysis and bath samples – all testing is carried out in-house.
Frequently asked questions on electronics, semiconductors and energy technology
How does hydrogen technology differ from conventional energy technology?
Above all, in terms of the required surface cleanliness. Electrolyser and fuel cell components must have low ionic and film contamination and must not carry any contamination into the fluid channels – particularly as the materials used are often more sensitive.
Does Silberhorn also clean heavily soiled maintenance parts?
Yes. In conventional power generation, scale, corrosion and operational deposits are part and parcel of day-to-day operations – this is a different plant design to that used in high-purity applications, but it is also part of our portfolio.
Why does the component become patchy after drying?
Almost always due to water quality or the drying process. For high-purity applications, we therefore use deionised water rinses and monitor the conductivity – the drying process is tailored to the component, not the other way round.
What are the key considerations for battery and connector components?
It is the surface function that matters, not the appearance. The key factors are film and ionic residues at the contact points, as well as particles in cooling channels and sealing grooves – and ensuring that the level of cleanliness achieved is maintained right up to the point of assembly.
Can Silberhorn deliver components directly to a cleanroom?
Yes. We have already installed a system with direct transfer into an ISO Class 7 cleanroom. The key factor here is not just the cleaning process itself, but the low-contamination handling that follows.
LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR
CLEANING TASK
Please tell us about your cleaning requirements. You’ll receive a no-obligation reply directly from our team of experts within 24 hours.
