ELASTOMERS: GAMMA STERILIZATION

Guide to Ratings in Sterilization Chart

Note: “Damage” refers to significant changes that affect the physical properties; other effects like discoloration may occur at lower doses.

• Excellent: Doses of more than 100 Mrads may not cause significant damage.
• Good: Doses in range of 20 to 100 Mrads may cause significant damage.
• Fair: Doses in range of 5 to 20 Mrads may cause significant damage.
• Poor: Significant damage may occur at doses of 2 Mrads or less.

Gamma Sterilization of Elastomers
Information is for reference only. The suitability of a material for your project must be determined as part of the product development process.

Material	Stability	Comments
Butyl	Fair
Ethylene-Polyproylene Oiene	Excellent
Fluoro	Good
Natural	Excellent
Nitrile	Fair	Discoloration is normal
Polyacrylic	Good
Polychloroprene (Neoprene)	Good	Some discoloration. Aaromatic plasticizers improve stability.
Silicones	Good	Phenyl substituted materials are more stable than methyl silicones.
Styrene-Butadiene	Excellent
Urethane	Excellent