Sterilizing Plastic Parts and Pieces: World Precision Instruments

Luer kits contain many plastic parts made of a variety of materials. A common question is how to sterilize these parts. Common sterilizing methods include:

EtO (gas)–a chemical steriliant small enough to penetrate the microbial cells that destroying nuclear cell components
70/30 Alcohol
Cidex (Activated Dialdehyde solution)
Autoclaving (wet 121°C, 15PSI for 30 minutes)–Before autoclaving, verify that the caps are properly loosened or removed to prevent any accidental implosion. Carefully clean the items with distilled water before autoclaving, because some chemicals that are inert on plastic resins at room temperature causes deterioration at high temperatures.

Can the Luer Kits be Autoclaved?

We offer to following luer kits. This table shows the materials used in each kit and whether or not the plastic parts are autoclavable.

Order code	Materials	Autoclavable
504955	Nylon	NO
504954	Polypropylene	Yes
14011	Variety	Some pieces can be

What Materials are Autoclavable?

This table shows a variety of materials and offers general guidelines for sterilizing parts manufactured from these materials.

Material	Autoclave	Max Temp	Brittle Temp	Appearance	Notes
Acrylic (PMMA)	no	50°C	20°C	Clear	Alcohol causes crazing and weakening
Fluoroelastomer Tubing (LPF)	yes*				*Once on a wet cycle
HDPE	no	120°C	-100°C	Translucent	High density polyethylene
LPDE	no	80°C	-100°C	Translucent	Low density polyethylene
Nylon	no
PFA	yes				Can be autoclaved repeatedly at 121°C/15PSI, 15 min. cycles
Polyacetal	yes				Can be sterilized by EtO, steam and autoclave, but degrades under high energy radiation.
Polycarbonate (PC)	yes	135°C	-135°C	Transparent	Weakened by repeated autoclaving, and may not perform well in high stress applications like centrifuges. Rinse thoroughly before autoclaving, because detergent residues cause crazing and spotting. No more than 20min. at 121°C.
Polyester	no				Glass transition 80-85°C
Polyethylene (HPP) or HPP Tubing	no
Polymethylpentene	yes				Can be autoclaved repeatedly at 121°C/15PSI, 15 min. cycles
Polypropylene	yes	135°C	0°C	Translucent	Can be autoclaved repeatedly at 121°C/15PSI, 15 min. cycles
Polypropylene copolymer	yes				Can be autoclaved repeatedly at 121°C/15PSI, 15 min. cycles
Polystyrene (PS)	no	90°C	-40°C	Clear
Polysulfone (PSF)	yes				Weakened by repeated autoclaving
Polyurethane or Polyurethane tubing	no				This tubing is used in kit 500890
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)	no	70°C	-30°C	Clear
PTFE (Teflon) or Teflon Tubing	yes	260°C	-100°C	Opaque	Can be repeatedly autoclaved. Do not run fluid through the tubing after autoclaving until the tubing has cooled to room temperature.
Silicone	yes
Silicone tubing	yes*				*Once on a wet cycle (PeriStar Pro tubing)
Vinyl tubing	no	70°C	-30°C	Clear	No organic solvents
Viton	yes