Sterilizing Plastic Parts and Pieces
 

Some luer fittings are sterilizable.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        

 

See Selection