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Master’s in Fluid Contamination and Reliability Engineering (ISO 4406)

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in fluid contamination and reliability engineering (ISO 4406). 12 modules covering contamination mechanisms, the ISO 4406 code, measurement, filtration, water and air, chemical degradation, oil analysis, clean design, component reliability, lubrication management and online monitoring, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Identify the types and sources of contamination in fluids.

02

Interpret the ISO 4406 code and set cleanliness targets.

03

Apply standardised sampling and measurement procedures.

04

Select filtration and dehydration systems.

05

Design oil analysis programmes.

06

Relate fluid cleanliness to reliability and service life.

07

Implement online monitoring and lubrication management.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Reliability engineers.
  • Oil analysis specialists.
  • Lubrication technicians.
  • Predictive maintenance engineers.
  • Supplier quality engineers setting cleanliness specifications.
  • Asset management consultants.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the mining sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 4406 (particle contamination level code)
  • ISO 11171 (calibration of automatic particle counters)
  • ISO 16889 (multi-pass method for filters)
  • ISO 4021 (extraction of fluid samples)
  • ISO 4407 (microscope counting)
  • ISO 3722 (cleanliness of sample containers)
  • ISO 16232 (component cleanliness)
  • ISO 23309 (flushing of hydraulic systems)
  • Microsoft Power BI
  • Python with pandas
  • IBM Maximo
  • Minitab
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Particle, water, air and chemical contamination
  2. 1.2Built-in, generated and ingressed contamination
  3. 1.3Abrasive, erosive and surface fatigue wear
  4. 1.4Critical dynamic clearances
  5. 1.5Sensitivity of pumps, valves and bearings
  6. 1.6Economic cost of contamination
  7. 1.7Contamination in lubrication systems
  8. 1.8Standards applicable to fluid cleanliness
  9. 1.9Relationship between cleanliness and availability
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of a contamination failure
  1. 2.1Structure of the three-number code
  2. 2.2Reference sizes of 4, 6 and 14 microns
  3. 2.3Scale number table
  4. 2.4Interpretation of results
  5. 2.5Target levels by component
  6. 2.6Relationship with NAS 1638 and SAE AS4059
  7. 2.7Conversion between systems
  8. 2.8Limitations of the code
  9. 2.9Manufacturer specifications
  10. 2.10Laboratory: interpreting particle count reports
  1. 3.1Automatic optical particle counters
  2. 3.2Calibration of counters to ISO 11171
  3. 3.3Microscope counting to ISO 4407
  4. 3.4Sampling points to ISO 4021
  5. 3.5Bottle cleanliness to ISO 3722
  6. 3.6Online contamination sensors
  7. 3.7Membrane analysis or patch test
  8. 3.8Common measurement errors
  9. 3.9Interference from water and bubbles
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: representative sampling
  1. 4.1Cellulose and glass fibre filter media
  2. 4.2Beta ratio to ISO 16889
  3. 4.3Efficiency and dirt-holding capacity
  4. 4.4Pressure, return and suction filters
  5. 4.5Offline filtration
  6. 4.6Filter bypass valves
  7. 4.7Collapse pressure to ISO 2941
  8. 4.8Filter selection by cleanliness target
  9. 4.9Filtration costs versus failures
  10. 4.10Laboratory: filter selection by ISO 4406 target
  1. 5.1Free, emulsified and dissolved water
  2. 5.2Oil saturation point
  3. 5.3Karl Fischer measurement
  4. 5.4Relative humidity sensors
  5. 5.5Effects of water on components
  6. 5.6Vacuum and coalescence dehydration
  7. 5.7Dissolved air and free air
  8. 5.8Foaming and air release
  9. 5.9Effects of air on control
  10. 5.10Case study: removing water from a system
  1. 6.1Oil oxidation
  2. 6.2Varnish and sludge formation
  3. 6.3Additive depletion
  4. 6.4Total acid number
  5. 6.5Viscosity changes
  6. 6.6Voltammetry for antioxidants
  7. 6.7Membrane patch colorimetry for varnish
  8. 6.8Hydrolysis of synthetic fluids
  9. 6.9Compatibility with seals and paints
  10. 6.10Practical exercise: analysis of degradation trends
  1. 7.1Designing an analysis programme
  2. 7.2Wear element spectrometry
  3. 7.3Analytical ferrography of particles
  4. 7.4Particle quantifier index
  5. 7.5Trend analysis
  6. 7.6Alarm and action limits
  7. 7.7Interpreting oil results
  8. 7.8Laboratory selection
  9. 7.9Reporting and decision-making
  10. 7.10Laboratory: interpreting an oil report
  1. 8.1Clean design of hydraulic systems
  2. 8.2Reservoir and baffle design
  3. 8.3Desiccant breathers on reservoirs
  4. 8.4Rod wipers and seals
  5. 8.5Component cleanliness to ISO 16232
  6. 8.6Cleanliness during assembly
  7. 8.7System flushing to ISO 23309
  8. 8.8Delivery cleanliness specifications
  9. 8.9Supplier requirements
  10. 8.10Case study: cleanliness specification for a new machine
  1. 9.1Life models versus cleanliness
  2. 9.2Life extension factors
  3. 9.3Weibull distribution
  4. 9.4Mean time between failures
  5. 9.5Reliability-centred maintenance
  6. 9.6FMEA of hydraulic systems
  7. 9.7Field failure data
  8. 9.8Reliability improvement programmes
  9. 9.9Lifecycle cost
  10. 9.10Practical exercise: life extension calculation
  1. 10.1Lubricant storage
  2. 10.2Filtered transfer and filling
  3. 10.3Labelling and colour coding
  4. 10.4Filtering new oil
  5. 10.5Training of lubrication technicians
  6. 10.6Lubrication audits
  7. 10.7Asset management to ISO 55000
  8. 10.8Cleanliness indicators
  9. 10.9Lubrication excellence programmes
  10. 10.10Case study: lubrication audit of a plant
  1. 11.1Online particle sensors
  2. 11.2Humidity and oil quality sensors
  3. 11.3Industrial IoT platforms
  4. 11.4Alarm configuration
  5. 11.5Integration with the maintenance system
  6. 11.6Condition data analysis
  7. 11.7Condition-based predictive maintenance
  8. 11.8Machine learning models
  9. 11.9Costs and return of monitoring
  10. 11.10Laboratory: online monitoring system
  1. 12.1Selection of the system or fleet
  2. 12.2Diagnosis of current cleanliness
  3. 12.3Cleanliness targets by component
  4. 12.4Filtration strategy
  5. 12.5Sampling and analysis plan
  6. 12.6Design control measures
  7. 12.7Reliability assessment
  8. 12.8Economic analysis of the programme
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Microsoft Power BI, Python with pandas, IBM Maximo and Minitab, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: laboratory particle counting, plant lubrication audits and oil analysis programmes. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ISO 4406, ISO 11171, ISO 16889, ISO 4021, ISO 4407, ISO 3722, ISO 16232, ISO 23309.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO 4406, ISO 11171 and ISO 16889 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Microsoft Power BI, Python with pandas, IBM Maximo and Minitab, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A contamination control programme for a real system or fleet, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Cleanliness diagnosis
Select a system or fleet and diagnose its current fluid cleanliness.
Cleanliness targets
Set ISO 4406 cleanliness targets for each critical component.
Filtration and sampling plan
Define the filtration strategy and the sampling and analysis plan.
Design control and reliability
Specify design control measures and assess the reliability gain.
Master's Thesis
Economic analysis and full contamination control programme, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Reliability EngineerOil Analysis SpecialistLubrication TechnicianPredictive Maintenance EngineerSupplier Quality EngineerAsset Management Consultant
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with Microsoft Power BI, Python with pandas, IBM Maximo and Minitab, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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