Steam Sterilization

A large medical products company specializing in sterilization and surgical equipment approached Jordan Valve with a problem in their steam sterilization equipment.  Their autoclaves incorporate self-actuating steam regulators to reduce hospital steam supply pressure down to an acceptable pressure range for safe use.  The steam valves cycle frequently during the sterilization process to maintain a specific temperature over a duration of time and were often operating continuously.  This continuous operation was resulting in frequent diaphragm failure in the steam regulators, as the only approved diaphragm material was 316 stainless steel.  While a very good material overall, 316 stainless steel is not ideal for applications requiring constant flexion because it will fatigue and ultimately crack.

At the time, Jordan Valve had recently introduced a proprietary material known as Jorlon, a modified fluoropolymer plastic with superior durability, flexibility, temperature range and chemical compatibility.  During product development, this material was tested by Jordan Valve engineers for more than one million cycles in steam service before introducing it to the market.

•  Superior Chemical compatibility
• Outstanding performance at high pressures
• Excellent solution in steam applications
• Extremely long life and highly reliable
• Easily retrofitted with no additional parts
• Less expensive and lower cost of long-term ownership

The Jordan Valve sales team suggested this customer use Jordan Mark 60 valve with the new Jorlon diaphragm as a way to improve steam regulator service life and reduce maintenance on their autoclaves.  The customer tested the Mark 60 regulators equipped with Jorlon in their on-site quality assurance laboratory, verifying the extraordinary properties of the new diaphragm option.  The Jorlon diaphragm alternative was quickly approved as the preferred standard diaphragm material for the steam sterilizing equipment.

Since switching to the Jordan Mark 60 valve with the Jorlon diaphragm, this customer has not reported any material fatigue-related diaphragm failures and now incorporates a Jordan Mark 60 pressure regulator with every autoclave they sell.