Polypropylene Autoclavability | Process | Items | Safety & Storage

Autoclaving is an effective and reliable method to sterilize equipment and tools. These machines make use of saturated steam at high temperatures and pressure to get rid of spores, bacteria, molds, fungi, and other living microorganisms. In healthcare and laboratory settings, it is extremely essential to maintain sterile conditions as exposure to microbes and pathogens, no matter how small, may cause contamination.

Products made up of polypropylene, one of the most commonly used thermoplastics, are frequently found in healthcare and laboratory facilities. This polymer is a material made up of molecules that have become hardened by heat, which adds to its durability, strength, and chemical resistance.

Polypropylene containers, tubes, slides, instruments, gowns, and other such items are often used to house and store biological samples or in medical procedures for medical equipment. As such, it is vital that these products can be sterilized without incurring any damage to them, or at the very least their ability to be safe to use and come in contact with sensitive biological matter be not affected by the sterilization process.

The current blog post will answer all your questions regarding autoclaving of polypropylene. It will also shed light on best practices, related considerations, storage, and training required for the same.

Can you Autoclave Polypropylene?

As a distributor, dealer, or procurement professional, you would be aware of how in demand healthcare and laboratory facilities are for safe and sterile equipment. You are also well aware of the constant rush in research settings for getting equipment back as soon as possible so that there is no disruption in service, without any further delay in operations.

Autoclaving is one of the most common and also among the most effective methods of sterilization. When used for this purpose, an autoclave functions by using pressurized steam and high temperatures. The combination of heat and moisture is almost a surefire way to ensure anything placed in an autoclave becomes fully sterilized.

But which items can be placed in one? Can you autoclave polypropylene? These are some of the questions that often get asked about autoclaving of products. In this article, we will be taking an in-depth look at polypropylene, its properties, what autoclaving is, and can polypropylene withstand being autoclaved or not. If you are in distribution, dealership, or procurement and would like to make informed and well-informed decisions about these products before moving forward with the same, you are in the right place.

We will be covering in this blog post:

• Introduction
• Properties of Polypropylene
• The Autoclaving Process
• Can You Autoclave Polypropylene?
• Best Practices for Autoclaving Polypropylene
• Conclusion
• FAQ

Introduction

Polypropylene, also often called polypropene, is a type of thermoplastic polymer that can be molded into different shapes by the use of heat. It has found its use in numerous applications, including but not limited to packaging, automotive, construction, laboratory equipment, as well as many healthcare products and accessories.

Polypropylene is one of the more commonly found plastics in use by organizations around the world as a material, and when used in autoclaving machines or sterilizers, these can ensure that there is little to no contamination when dealing with biological samples or medical devices and instruments, as well as any other items where being sterile is of upmost importance.

Polypropylene has become one of the most widely used thermoplastics for good reason. Its versatility in uses has grown a lot more over the years and has become second only to Polyethylene.

In this post, we will be covering the properties of polypropylene, in detail. We will also be discussing the autoclaving process in detail. And lastly, but most importantly, we will be answering the question – can you autoclave polypropylene?

The information contained within will provide readers with greater insight into the product as well as its autoclaving and storage, and related considerations.

Properties of Polypropylene

In order to know more about Polypropylene and understand whether autoclaving is something that can be done or not, we will need to first take a look at its properties and factors that define this polymer.

Chemical Composition

Chemically speaking, Polypropylene (PP), or Polypropene, is a thermoplastic polymer made from the polymerization of Propylene monomers. It is a chain of Carbon atoms, to which Hydrogen atoms are bonded in a configuration, which is what gives PP its unique chemical and physical properties.

Characteristics of Polypropylene

The defining characteristics of Polypropylene are as follows:

1. Heat Resistance
2. Chemical Resistance
3. Lightweight and Durable
4. Biocompatible
5. Moisture Resistance

We will now take a closer look at each of these 5 points and what they mean.

1. Heat Resistance: Polypropylene has a melting point of nearly 160 Degrees Celsius, or 320 Degrees Fahrenheit. This makes it capable of withstanding moderate levels of heat without deforming. This property of Polypropylene is what is most useful and relevant to this article, as the higher temperatures of autoclaves can run quite high, with devices capable of withstanding 121 Degrees Celsius, or 250 Degrees Fahrenheit, being in widespread use.
2. Chemical Resistance: Another useful property of PP is its resistance to a lot of chemicals, which can include both strong acids and bases, as well as solvents. It also has a relatively high chemical stability, which makes it resistant to oxidative breakdown. Because of these reasons, PP finds extensive use in lab settings and in many healthcare applications where exposure to some chemicals is very high.
3. Lightweight and Durable: Polypropylene is a lightweight material, which makes it easy to carry, transport and use. It is also extremely durable and less prone to breakage or cracking in most instances.
4. Biocompatible: Polypropylene is a biocompatible material, which is a property that allows materials and substances to come into contact with human tissue without being rejected by the body or causing any toxic effects. Because of this, Polypropylene has a wide range of medical and pharmaceutical applications, such as the manufacture of surgical instruments, various containers, bottles, and other devices that may be used to come in contact with human tissue.
5. Moisture Resistance: Polypropylene has a low moisture absorption rate, which makes it hydrophobic, or the ability to repel or resist water. This also happens to be one of the more useful properties for Polypropylene when it comes to autoclaving and other sterilization processes, as this will help prevent damage to products and materials, which may be susceptible to steam and moisture, for instance made out of cardboard or certain kinds of wood, during autoclaving and other sterilization methods.

The Autoclaving Process

Autoclaving is a process, which sterilizes medical and laboratory equipment by using pressurized steam and high temperatures. To know more about the compatibility of autoclaving with Polypropylene, we will need to have a better understanding of the process itself.

What is Autoclaving?

Autoclaves, the machines used for sterilizing by the process, are devices that make use of steam generated from water, by the use of high pressure and high temperature. They are used by a wide range of healthcare and laboratory professionals around the world and are often used as an alternative to sterilization processes that rely on chemical disinfectants, such as Ethylene Oxide.

The core components of an autoclave include:

1. The Chamber: This is where the material to be sterilized is placed.
2. Heating Element: This is where the heat that is needed to make steam from water is generated. Most autoclaves come with internal heating elements, although it is possible to get external ones as well.
3. Pressure Control System: This is the part of the autoclave that is responsible for building and maintaining the necessary pressure within the chamber.
4. Temperature Control System: This is the component that monitors and regulates the temperature within the chamber during the sterilization process.

There are also other components as well that can include load sensors, timers, and indicators as well as pressure gauges.

The autoclaving process has 3 main phases. These are the heating phase, sterilization phase, and lastly, the cooling phase. Let us take a look at all 3 of them in more detail:

1. The Heating Phase: In this phase, the autoclave will take in water, which is then heated to create steam, which then fills the sterilization chamber within the autoclave. It is extremely important for the steam being generated to be saturated, else the entire process will not work as effectively as it is supposed to.
2. The Sterilization Phase: As soon as the temperature (which is usually set to either 121 Degrees Celsius, or 134 Degrees Celsius) and pressure (which is around 15 ¨C 30 psi, or pounds per square inch) has been reached, the sterilization phase can begin. The time in this phase is known as the sterilization time, and can usually be set within the autoclave between 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the load and size of the material, and is also based on time duration. A timer within the autoclave can be set to make sure that this time has passed before the cycle ends.
3. The Cooling Phase: This is the last phase of an autoclaving cycle, and is the phase during which pressure is gradually released from within the chamber, and items placed within it cool down. This phase is also known as the depressurization phase and is necessary for ensuring that materials do not get recontaminated.

Autoclaving as a process is very effective and nearly 100% effective against all living microorganisms. This is due to the combination of both moisture as well as high temperatures being used, which allows for the steam to easily penetrate into porous materials, as well as reach all the surfaces of objects within an autoclave.

Can You Autoclave Polypropylene?

Polypropylene, as we have established, is one of the most commonly used thermoplastics today, and as such, it would be only natural for you to wonder – can you autoclave Polypropylene, and how? In this section, we will take a more in depth look at both the process as well as the polymer itself to answer that question. While it is a question that can be answered quickly, in the affirmative, as Polypropylene is generally considered autoclavable. However, there are some factors, which should be kept in mind and be understood. These include:

1. Temperature Tolerance: Polypropylene can be autoclaved at the standard temperature range of 121 Degrees Celsius, or 250 Degrees Fahrenheit, and higher, without deforming or breaking, in most instances. The time of exposure to such high temperatures is also another key factor to keep in mind, which is discussed in the next point.
2. Duration of Exposure: The time for which Polypropylene has to be exposed to the higher temperature range is crucial. As autoclave cycles are generally set between 15 to 30 minutes, with larger loads and lesser loads taking more and less time respectively, Polypropylene is largely safe when autoclaved for that duration.
3. Manufacturer Guidelines: It is also important to keep in mind that different manufacturers will have different recommendations and instructions for the autoclaving of their products, which may or may not include Polypropylene items. It is always important to keep the manufacturers¡¯ instructions at hand and follow them while autoclaving any material, and when it comes to Polypropylene, there are often specific guidelines and instructions to be followed, which often include the temperature as well as the maximum duration of safe sterilization by autoclaving.

Some other factors, which are also important to keep in mind with Polypropylene are:

1. Type of Polypropylene: It is important to remember that just because a product is made up of Polypropylene, does not automatically make all polypropylene items suitable for autoclaving. Certain additives may be included in a product made up of PP, which can cause the finished product to have a lower heat tolerance than the original polymer by itself.
2. Risk of Warping: Although there is very little chance of polypropylene deforming due to high heat and autoclaving, it is still a possibility if excessive time or load is applied within the autoclave. This is why it is very important to load autoclaves with care.
3. Check After Autoclaving: Always make sure to check and inspect items made up of Polypropylene after autoclaving for any signs of damage or discoloration. If any such signs are present, do not attempt to use these in sterile environments and procedures.

Best Practices for Autoclaving Polypropylene

We have established that Polypropylene can be autoclaved with little to no issue and there are no factors, which would prevent this from being the case. However, there are some other things which one needs to take into account when autoclaving Polypropylene items and products, and those include:

Preparing Polypropylene Items for Sterilization

• Cleaning: Thoroughly clean Polypropylene items before autoclaving them in order to remove all organic debris and contamination. This is an extremely important step and is one which should be done before any sterilization process for ensuring greater effectiveness of said process.
• Loading Techniques: Proper loading is an important part of the autoclaving process as it ensures the steam can freely circulate within the autoclave and around the items being sterilized. Crowding should also be avoided as this can often lead to improper sterilization.
• Appropriate Packaging: Use packaging for your Polypropylene items that are autoclave safe and ensure they are compatible with Polypropylene.

Operating the Autoclave

• Follow the Manufacturer¡¯s Guidelines: Follow all instructions given by the manufacturer in the manual provided with the autoclave or sterilizer being used. This includes the suggested temperature, pressure, and time settings.
• Regular Maintenance: It is important to regularly check and maintain an autoclave in order to keep it in good working condition. This includes all of its various seals, valves, and the heating element in particular.
• Validation and Monitoring: The process of autoclaving needs to be validated and monitored on a regular basis by making use of biological indicators. Monitoring temperature and pressure for every cycle is also very important.

Training and Education

Providing staff with proper training regarding the correct use of autoclaves and sterilization procedures is very important. This will help ensure they are aware of the importance of proper sterilization and following the correct procedures and practices while doing so.

Conclusion

Polypropylene, or Polypropene, is a heat hardened polymer that is made up of a chain of carbon atoms with attached Hydrogen atoms in a certain chemical configuration. This thermoplastic is widely used in a variety of settings and one of the most common thermoplastics after Polyethylene. This polymer has a wide range of applications and is often used in healthcare and laboratory settings.

Polypropylene can withstand high temperatures of around 160 Degrees Celsius and is often resistant to many common chemicals. This chemical and heat resistant nature of PP is one of the reasons why this material is highly suitable for sterilization processes like autoclaving.

Autoclaves make use of steam generated by high pressure and high temperatures to sterilize equipment and devices. It is a highly effective method for achieving complete sterilization of any surface. A regular autoclaving cycle is very effective and can be used for polypropylene without issues, and there are no drawbacks or limitations which prevent one from autoclaving PP.

However, just because a material is made of polypropylene does not mean that it is automatically safe for autoclaving. It is always important to follow the right processes and practices when sterilizing materials, and the same is also the case for polypropylene.

The information in this blog post can help distributors, dealers, and procurement professionals, alike, make informed and well informed decisions about polypropylene and related products in order to be able to proceed with the same without any difficulty.

FAQ

• Can polypropylene be autoclaved? Yes, polypropylene can be autoclaved and is generally considered autoclavable. This process of sterilization can be used without any major issues when it comes to this polymer.
• What is the maximum temperature that can be used for autoclaving polypropylene? Polypropylene can withstand temperatures as high as 121 Degrees Celsius, or 250 Degrees Fahrenheit, when it comes to autoclaving. It can also take longer periods of time when it comes to exposure, but only to a certain extent.
• How long can polypropylene be autoclaved? Standard autoclave cycles, when it comes to PP, are usually between 15 and 30 minutes. The time of a cycle may vary depending on the size and load of the material being sterilized.
• Are all items made out of polypropylene autoclavable? No, not all polypropylene products can be autoclaved. Certain additives or compounds added to the polymer can sometimes affect its tolerance to heat.
• What should I do if Polypropylene items show signs of damage after autoclaving? If items made out of Polypropylene show signs of deformation or discoloration, or any other kind of damage, after autoclaving them, you should not use those for sterile processes.