Material selection in autoclave design: Why 316 stainless steel endures

Subjected to repeated cycles of extreme temperature, pressure, and humidity, material selection is not simply a design preference but a critical determinant of an autoclave’s long-term performance and total cost of ownership.

Not all stainless steels are created equal, and 316 stainless steel distinguishes itself through the addition of molybdenum to its alloy composition. This element significantly enhances resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, which can otherwise occur in wet, chloride-rich environments. For this reason, laboratories and facilities seeking robust, reliable, and long-lasting sterilisation solutions should regard 316 stainless steel as a fundamental requirement.

Priorclave is one of the few autoclave manufacturers globally to retain complete control over its entire supply chain. This approach ensures the use of 316 stainless steel in every autoclave it produces, with all principal components, including pressure vessels, being fabricated in-house at Priorclave’s South East London facility.

Priorclave’s most popular autoclave is the EV100 BASE, a compact unit occupying less than one cubic metre while offering an impressive 100-litre chamber capacity. Its top-loading, vertically aligned cylindrical chamber enables it to accommodate even the tallest laboratory vessels, making it particularly popular in research environments.

The EH150 SMART remains one of Priorclave’s most widely adopted front-loading autoclaves. Vacuum-equipped for porous loads, it combines an ergonomic loading height with low power and water consumption.

For high-throughput applications, the SH450 RSC PERFORMANCE delivers rapid cycle times. Both steam-jacketed and vacuum-equipped, it is designed to handle demanding loads with ease while producing drier, cooler loads more quickly.

With robust 316 stainless steel construction, proven reliability, and consistent performance, Priorclave’s BASE, SMART, and PERFORMANCE ranges set the benchmark in modern autoclave design.

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