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Gas
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Chemical Disinfectants
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Dry Heat
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Microwaving
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Gas
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Polypropylene, polymethylpentane, polypropylene copolymer, TEFZEL ETFE, TEFLON
FEP, PFA, polycarbonate, acetal and polysulfone products as well as PVC, and
silicone tubing may be gas-sterilized (ethylene oxide, formaldehyde). We
recommend allowing an appropriate aeration time suited to the particular
application before re-using the item.
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Chemical Disinfectants
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In general, all of the aforementioned plastics can be subjected to commonly used
disinfectants (quaternary ammonium compounds, iodophors, formalin, benzalkonium
chloride, ethanol, etc.). There may be some surface attack (crazing) when using
a more chemically aggressive disinfectant on the less resistant plastics (PS,
SAN, PVC, PC, acrylic) with prolonged use.
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Dry Heat
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Dry heat sterilization is recommended only for ACL (acetal or polyoxymethylene),
Halar ECTFE (ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer), EFTE
(ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene), TEFLON FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene),
PPCO (polypropylene copolymer), PC (polycarbonate), TEFLON PFA
(perfluoroalkoxy), PMP (polymethylpentene), PP (polypropylene), and TEFLON TFE
(tetrafluoroethylene). Maximum temperatures and minimum sterilization times at
each temperature for each of these resins are given in the following table:
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Dry Heat Sterilization
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Resins
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Temperature
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Time
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FEP, PFA, PMP*, TFE
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170C (338F)
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60 min.
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PSF
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160C (320F)
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120 min.
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ECTFE, ETFE
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150C (302F)
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150 min.
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140C (284F)
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180 min.
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ACL, PPCO*, PC, PP*
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121C (250F)
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Overnight
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* with no load, no stacking
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Microwaving
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In general, all plastics allow transmission of microwaves. Among commonly used
plastics, PMP and PSF are most transparent to microwaves. We recommend their
use when the chemical and temperature resistance of PMP and PSF are compatible
with the material to be heated. Use fluoropolymers when aggressive chemicals,
such as acids or solvents, are being heated; proper venting is essential.
Closure threads must be completely disengaged before heating bottles or
containers in a microwave oven.
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