DLab D3024 - Tube Sterilization Methods

USER MANUAL
22
11.2 Tubes
11.2.1 Cleaning and sterilizing tubes
Condition Material
PA
PC
PP
Cleaning
Cleaning fluids
Acidic（pH5 or lower）
X
X
X
Acidic（higher than pH5 ）
O
O
O
Alkaline（higher than pH9 ）
O
X
O
Alkaline（pH9 or lower）
O
O
O
Neutral（pH7）
O
O
O
Warm water(up to 70℃)
O
O
O
Ultrasonic cleaning
Neutral detergent（pH7）
O
O
O
Sterilization
Autoclaving
115℃（0.7kg/cm
2
）30minutes
O
O
O
121℃（1.0kg/cm
2
）20 minutes
X
O
O
126℃（1.4kg/cm
2
）15 minutes
X
X
X
Boiling
15 to 30 minutes
O
O
O
Ultraviolet sterilization
200-300nm
X
X
X
Gas sterilization
Ethylene oxide
O
X
O
Formaldehyde
O
O
O
PA: Polyallomer；PC：Polycarbonate；PP：Polypropylene
11.2.2 Cleaning PC tubes
PC materials are low in chemical resistance against alkaline solutions. Avoid using neutral detergents with
pH higher than 9. Note that pH of some neutral detergents are still higher than 9 even if diluted according to
the instruction in the maker ‟ s catalog. Use detergent with its pH between 7 and 9.
11.2.3 Autoclaving PA、PC and PP tubes
PA begins softening at about 120℃, PC and PP at about 130℃. Autoclave PA tubes at 115℃（0.7kg/cm
2
）for
30 minutes and PC and PP tubes at 121℃（0.1kg/cm
2
）for 20 minutes. If a certain temperature is exceeded,
the tubes may be deformed.
When using a sterilizing chamber, please operate as follows:
（1）Place tubes in vertical position, mouths upward. If tubes are placed sideways, they may deform
into an oval shape due to gravity.
（2）Remove screw nuts and inner covers to prevent from deformation or rupture.
（3）Wait until the sterilizing chamber cools down to the room temperature before the tubes are
removed.