Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a widely used sterilization method, for heat-sensitive and moisture-sensitive materials. It is popular in medical, biological, and microfluidic applications because it effectively sterilizes without subjecting materials to high temperatures.
The EtO process involves exposing materials to ethylene oxide gas in a controlled chamber. This gas penetrates the material, disrupting microbial DNA to ensure sterility. Its non-thermal nature makes it ideal for sterilizing plastics, polymers, and electronic components that cannot withstand high temperatures or steam sterilization. While EtO sterilization is highly effective, post-sterilization aeration is necessary to remove residual EtO gas due to its toxicity.
To assist engineers and researchers in evaluating how various materials respond to ethylene oxide sterilization, the following comprehensive chart derived from different sources including Qosina, Idex, and Industrial Specialties Mfg., provides compatibility ratings.
Refer to this table to make informed choices and maintain contamination-free experiments.
💡 The sterilization compatibility rating key is as follows:
- Good = Little to No Effect
- Fair = Slight to Moderate Effect
- Poor = Moderate to Severe Effect (Not Recommended)
🚨 This chart is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered as a guarantee of material performance in sterilization or other uses. Users are responsible for evaluating the appropriateness of materials and processes for their specific applications, taking into account both technical and legal considerations.
🧪 Ethylene Oxide: Sterilization Compatibility Chart
| Material | Ethylene Oxide (EtO) |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | Poor |
| Cyclo Olefin Copolymer (COC) | Good |
| Cyclo Olefin Polymer (COP) | Good |
| Ethylene Chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE) | Good |
| Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) | Good |
| Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (Tefzel - ETFE) | Good |
| Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) | Good |
| High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) | Good |
| High Density Polypropylene (HDPP) | N/A |
| High Heat Polycarbonate (PC) | Good |
| Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDP) | Good |
| Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) | Good |
| Neoprene | Poor |
| Olefinic Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPO) | Good |
| Perfluoro Alkoxy (PFA) | Good |
| Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) | Good |
| Polyamide (Nylon) | Good |
| Polyamide Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPA) | Good |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | Good |
| Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) | Good |
| Polydimethyl Siloxane (PDMS) | Good |
| Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) | Good |
| Polyethylene (PE) | Good |
| Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) | Good |
| Polyoxymethylene (Delrin) | Good |
| Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) | Good |
| Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) | Good |
| Polypropylene (PP) | Good |
| Polystyrene (PS) | Good |
| Polysulfone (PSU) | Good |
| Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) | Good |
| Polyurethane (PU) | Good |
| Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) | Good |
| Polyvinyl Chloride (Unplasticized - PVC) | Good |
| Polyvinyl Fluoride (PVF) | Good |
| Silicone | Good |
| Stainless Steel 316 | Good |
| Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) | Good |
| Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) | Good |
| Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) | Good |
