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1 min read

Q & A: Can I use gamma radiation to sterilize a Teflon part?

The first part of the answer is we need to know what kind of Teflon. DuPont's family of Teflon products includes a number of different materials. PTFE is the best know of this family and the answer to your question for this material would be NO! PTFE does not hold up well at all in gamma radiation. As an example, 4Mrads of exposure reduces the tensile strength of the PTFE to 2% of it's original value.

A better fluoropolymer for gamma irradiation would be DuPon'ts Tefzel product which is known by the chemical moniker of ETFE. In vacuum or air irradiation, Tefzel maintains a high level of physical integrity after long exposures.

Another fluoropolymer that does well in gamma is PCTFE, formerly known as Kel-F. PCTFE has minimal property loss even after doses of 16-18Mrads of exposure. Rates of property loss in all main categories are less than 30% which is quite good for fluoropolymers.

TriStar Plastics has more information on different methods of sterilization and how it affects most medical grade polymers. Ask The Experts - you'll still like them when they're angry (but they won't be)!

 

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