Working with a combination of steam, pressure and time, autoclaves are used to disinfect and sterilize a variety of materials. Harmful microorganisms cannot just simply be cleaned with soap and water, but when exposed to temperatures of 121 °C (205 °F) and above at high pressure they are quickly destroyed. The harsh environment of an autoclave can also strengthen some materials, making it a necessity to ensuring safety in diverse industries.
Medical/Dental
Steam autoclaves are a staple in most medical environments since they effectively kill heat resistant bacteria, spores and germs. Used for sterilizing surgical tools and medical instruments, autoclaves not only ensure patient safety, but help offices and hospitals meet the demand for sterile equipment.
Tattooing/Body Piercing
It’s a responsibility for shop owners to protect clients from infections spread by microorganisms. Steam sterilization is proven to be 100% effective when it comes to sterilizing body jewelry, piercing tools and tattoo supplies. Autoclaves are the preferred sterilization method for high volume shops simply because it requires less time and energy.
Waste Treatment
Autoclaves are becoming increasingly popular as a pre-disposal treatment of waste, especially biological waste. Although incineration greatly reduces the volume of waste while destroying bacteria, it’s an environmental health concern due to the harmful pollutants released during emissions. Typically used for sterilization, autoclaves provide a reliable and controlled way to decontaminate hazardous material before disposing it in a landfill.
Industrial Manufacturing
The elevated pressure and temperature conditions found within an autoclave are ideal for curing composites. Often used by the aerospace and ballistics industries, industrial autoclaves provide a controlled environment for uniformly molding and curing expensive parts in a timely matter. Autoclaves are also popular for vulcanizing rubber, as the heat and pressure coverts rubber into an elastic, durable material (tires and hoses).
Autoclave Validation
To ensure that instruments and waste are sterile, and composites are cured correctly, it’s essential to monitor autoclave processes. MadgeTech data loggers provide an accurate and reliable way to validate sterilization and curing applications. If the autoclave is not constantly maintained at the appropriate operating environment for the job, the results could be dangerous or even deadly.
To learn more on selecting the best autoclave for your application and validation tips, click here.
