Autoclavable Plastics
Autoclaving is a technique used to sterilize a range of materials including glass, plastic, and metal. This process is done in various industries, but it is especially important for the industrial, healthcare, and pharmaceutical fields due to how sterile their instruments must be between uses. Autoclaves are a popular choice because of their ability to handle and kill off microbial life such as bacteria, viruses, and spores.
How Autoclaves Work
Autoclaves use highly pressurized steam to sterilize numerous types of instruments, tools, and containers. The temperature inside the autoclave should be raised to at least 250℉ (121℃) and the pressurized steam should be applied at 15 psi for a minimum of 15 minutes to ensure the items are fully sterilized.
Most autoclave sessions last between 30-60 minutes, but depending on the item's material and size, the time requirement may vary. Items placed inside the autoclave should also be separated from one another to allow for the steam to spread evenly throughout the batch.
Although there are other sterilization methods available, using steam for sterilization is the preferred technique unless the item's material has potential to be damaged by heat or moisture. Autoclaving is the most effective sterilization method available because of how efficiently and thoroughly it kills microorganisms.
Can You Autoclave Plastic?
Only certain types of plastic can be autoclaved. The autoclaving process involves high temperatures that some plastics cannot withstand. If those plastics underwent the process, they pose the risk of melting, deformation, and becoming weak.
Plastics that can withstand higher temperatures are ideal for autoclaving and will not come out damaged, such as polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), and a variety of other plastics.
Tip: Before you autoclave plastic bottles, be sure to to completely remove the caps and either tape them to the side of the containers neck or place them on the tray. Leaving the cap on, even just loosely, could create a vacuum effect within the bottle and cause it to collapse and distort.
Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene (PP) plastic is a popular choice due to its low cost and high durability. Often used to make bottles, jars, and food packaging containers, PP containers can be autoclaved repeatedly without losing their strength. The recommended cycle for empty PP containers is 250℉ (121℃) for at least 15 minutes.
Be sure to allow circulation in and out of vessels during the cycle, especially during venting and cooling. This ensures the containers will not collapse or implode.
Polycarbonate (PC)
Polycarbonate (PC) plastic is commonly used for bottles, cups, eyeglass lenses, and plastic dinnerware. PC containers are safe to autoclave, but only for a certain number of cycles. Containers made from PC can withstand between 30-50 cycles before the strength of the plastic starts to decrease. The recommended cycle for empty PC containers is 250℉ (121℃) for 20 minutes maximum.
Each container should be thoroughly rinsed before each cycle, as detergent residues can cause spotting and crazing to appear. Boiler steam containing alkaline should be avoided due to how it may damage PC plastic. Alkaline can cause PC plastic to become brittle, weak, and develop spider web-like cracks.
Other Autoclavable Plastics
A variety of other plastic materials are safe for autoclaving without problems, as they remain stable at higher temperatures. These include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon), polyfluoroalkyl (PFA), and polymethylpentene (PMP or TPX). Although these plastics are autoclavable, consider checking with the manufacturer for exact autoclaving recommendations on certain products.
Which Plastics Are Not Autoclavable?
Although some plastics are autoclavable, a handful of them are not recommended to be sterilized using this process. These types include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), polyethylene (PE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
All of these materials pose the potential of being damaged by heat or moisture, but they can still be sterilized using other methods. The recommended technique for these types of plastic is to use the gas ethylene oxide formaldehyde, a more gentle approach that these plastics can withstand.
Looking for the Perfect Plastic Container?
If you’re looking for containers made of autoclavable plastic, shop our wide collection of plastic containers and find the right fit for your business. No matter the industry, Cary has plastic containers for your style, closure, capacity, and color needs.
Have any questions? Contact one of our product specialists available to answer any questions and recommend products for you. -- Just give us a call at 630.629.6600 or email us at sales@thecarycompany.com!
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8 oz. White PP Plastic Jar, Straight Sided, 70mm 70-400
Part #: 67W08W- Quantity Qty Price
- 1 $0.51 ea.
- 192 $0.49 ea.
- 1,920 $0.37 ea.
- 4,800 $0.32 ea.
- 9,600 $0.31 ea.
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16 oz. Black PP Plastic Jar, Straight Sided, 89mm 89-400
Part #: 67W16B- Quantity Qty Price
- 1 $0.49 ea.
- 205 $0.47 ea.
- 1,025 $0.44 ea.
- 3,280 $0.41 ea.
- 9,840 $0.39 ea.
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- 1 $0.45 ea.
- 350 $0.39 ea.
- 2,800 $0.34 ea.
- 5,600 $0.31 ea.
- 11,200 $0.30 ea.
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- Quantity Qty Price
- 1 $0.73 ea.
- 200 $0.49 ea.
- 3,000 $0.37 ea.
- 6,000 $0.33 ea.
- 12,000 $0.30 ea.
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20 oz. White PP Straight Sided Jar, 89mm 89-400
Part #: 67WW20- Quantity Qty Price
- 1 $1.09 ea.
- 84 $0.87 ea.
- 504 $0.74 ea.
- 2,520 $0.62 ea.
- 5,040 $0.59 ea.
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3 Dram Clear Plastic Vial w/Snap Cap
Part #: 30W10V- Quantity Qty Price
- 2,000 $0.22 ea.
- 4,000 $0.18 ea.
- 10,000 $0.17 ea.
- 20,000 $0.16 ea.
- 54,000 $0.15 ea.
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- 1 $0.27 ea.
- 910 $0.23 ea.
- 4,550 $0.20 ea.
- 9,100 $0.17 ea.
- 18,200 $0.15 ea.
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- 1 $0.18 ea.
- 1,500 $0.13 ea.
- 15,000 $0.11 ea.
- 30,000 $0.10 ea.
- 63,000 $0.08 ea.
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16 oz. Natural PP Plastic Wide Mouth Jar, 89mm 89-400
Part #: 67WN16- Quantity Qty Price
- 1 $0.57 ea.
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- Quantity Qty Price
- 1 $1.19 ea.
- 460 $1.03 ea.
- 920 $0.91 ea.
- 1,840 $0.87 ea.
- 5,520 $0.81 ea.
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- 1 $0.16 ea.
- 2,000 $0.12 ea.
- 8,000 $0.11 ea.
- 16,000 $0.10 ea.
- 32,000 $0.08 ea.
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- 1 $55.74 case
- 10 $48.78 case
- 20 $45.29 case
- 48 $41.11 case
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- 1 $301.17 case
- 5 $290.35 case
- 10 $279.19 case
- 20 $268.32 case
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- 1 $223.99 case
- 10 $219.90 case
- 18 $216.67 case
- 35 $208.60 case
- 105 $201.74 case
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8 Dram Green Plastic Vial w/Child Resistant Cap, 410/cs
Part #: 30BD30- Quantity Qty Price
- 6 $71.98 case
- 10 $66.45 case
- 20 $61.70 case
- 48 $57.59 case
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8 Dram Blue Plastic Vial w/Child Resistant Cap, 410/cs
Part #: 30BD29- Quantity Qty Price
- 6 $71.98 case
- 10 $66.45 case
- 20 $61.70 case
- 48 $57.59 case
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8 Dram Amber Plastic Vial w/Child Resistant Cap, 410/cs
Part #: 30BD28- Quantity Qty Price
- 6 $71.98 case
- 10 $66.45 case
- 20 $61.70 case
- 48 $57.59 case
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8 Dram Violet Plastic Vial w/Reversible Cap, 410/cs
Part #: 30BD25- Quantity Qty Price
- 6 $75.98 case
- 10 $70.14 case
- 20 $65.13 case
- 48 $60.79 case
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- 8 $56.08 case
- 10 $51.77 case
- 20 $48.07 case
- 48 $44.87 case
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- 1 $209.52 ea.
- 2 $196.95 ea.
- 5 $190.36 ea.