ISO 8573-1 is an international standard that covers the classification of compressed air quality. Specifically, ISO 8573-1:2010 defines the purity classes of compressed air by specifying limits for various contaminants that can be present in compressed air systems. The standard is designed to help users understand and assess the quality of compressed air for specific applications, ensuring that the compressed air meets the requirements of their processes and equipment.

The ISO 8573-1 standard classifies compressed air quality into three main types of contaminants:

• Particulate Contaminants (Solid Particles): These are solid particles suspended in the compressed air, such as dust, rust, and other solid impurities. Particulate contaminants can cause equipment damage, affect product quality, and hinder the performance of pneumatic systems.
• Water (Moisture) Contaminants: This category includes water vapor present in the compressed air system. Moisture can lead to corrosion of equipment, freeze-ups in cold environments, and issues with product quality in certain applications.
• Oil Contaminants: Oil can enter the compressed air system through lubricated compressors or other sources. Oil contamination can adversely affect sensitive processes, contaminate products, and lead to equipment malfunctions.

Designating Purity Classes is done in this format:
ISO 8573-1:2010 [A:B:C]

• A = Particles
• B = Water
• C = Oil

This standard helps ensure that the compressed air used in various industries, such as manufacturing, food processing, electronics, and pharmaceuticals, meets the necessary purity requirements, promoting optimal equipment performance and product quality.