Autoclave sterilization works by using heat to kill microorganisms such as bacteria and spores. The heat is delivered by pressurized steam. ... It's nontoxic and inexpensive, it kills microbes and spores rapidly, and it quickly heats and penetrates fabrics.

How do steam sterilizers work?

The basic principle of steam sterilization, as accomplished in an autoclave, is to expose each item to direct steam contact at the required temperature and pressure for the specified time. ... Pressure serves as a means to obtain the high temperatures necessary to quickly kill microorganisms.

What is the process of sterilization?

Sterilization describes a process that destroys or eliminates all forms of microbial life and is carried out in health-care facilities by physical or chemical methods. ... Disinfection describes a process that eliminates many or all pathogenic microorganisms, except bacterial spores, on inanimate objects (Tables 1 and 2).