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Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs / General / What are the phases of sterilization?

What are the phases of sterilization?

The general process for using an autoclave to sterilize goods breaks down into three basic phases:

    1. The purge phase, during which steam displaces air within the autoclave chamber and temperature and pressure steadily increases
    2. The exposure (sterilization) phase, during which the autoclave’s control program closes the exhaust valve, causing the autoclave’s interior temperature and pressure to increase to the desired setpoint, and stay there for the desired amount of time
    3. The exhaust phase, during which pressure is released from the chamber via the exhaust valve, and the interior is restored to ambient pressure

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