FAQ

Sterilization is a process that eliminates or inactivates all microbial life forms present on an item’s surface. It is a distinct procedure from cleaning or disinfecting, which merely remove major particles and microbial life forms from surfaces. Sterilization is of paramount importance in medical applications to ensure the safety of both patients and medical personel.
Chemical Indicators change color to show exposure to specific sterilization conditions, ensuring that items have undergone proper sterilization processes. These indicators don’t replace biological monitors that verify pathogen elimination

It should be noted that sterilization conditions vary significantly. However, Adozione Inks have been designed with the following conditions in mind:

Steam/Autoclave: 121°C for 15 mins or 134°C for 3.5 mins (in a pre-vacuum autoclave)
EtO Gas: 600mg/l at 54°C for 20 mins or 37°C for 25 mins
Plasma: 50°C for 6 mins with 2.3±0.4mg gas concentration
Formaldehyde: 1.0 mol/l at 70°C for 15 mins

Substrate: Material to be printed on
Sterilization Process: Type of process used (Steam, EO, HP etc)
Color Preference: Both print and signal colors
Solvent or Water-Based: Preference for ink type
Printing Technology: Method used for printing (Serigraphy/Flexography)

It is essential that Adozione Inks contain the correct chemical components in the correct quantities to ensure the chemical indicator functions correctly. If viscosity adjustments are required, please refer to the Technical Data Sheets for the appropriate solvent and instructions on how to add it.

1- The quantity of ink applied is insufficient. For the majority of chemical indicator inks, an excessively fine ink laydown will prevent the deposition of the requisite materials to effect a color change.

2- The ink was not adequately mixed prior to printing. The high solids content of Adozione Inks enables the signal color change. In the event of an inadequate mixing of the ink, the solids will not be dispersed evenly throughout the ink, resulting in inconsistent signals. To gain further insight into the optimal utilisation of these inks, it is recommended to consult the Technical Data Sheet for the specific ink(s) in question, where comprehensive instructions on the requisite mixing procedures can be found.

3- It is of great importance to ascertain the compatibility of the material undergoing printing with the ink in use, in order to guarantee that the requisite level of ink laydown and adhesion is achieved. Although infrequent, instances have been documented where the material being printed has the potential to elicit a reaction with the ink, thereby impeding the transmission of the signal color. While such occurrences are uncommon, it is nevertheless imperative to ascertain the compatibility of the material in question prior to commencing the printing process.

4- It is possible that the sterilization unit is not functioning as it should. Although the ink is often the first thing that comes to mind when considering the sterilization process, its purpose is to confirm that the sterilization procedure has been completed successfully. In the event that the indicator does not undergo a color change and the aforementioned potential causes have been eliminated, it is imperative to ascertain that the sterilization system is functioning optimally.

5- Steam inks may require readjustment of activator ratio. It is recommended to consult the Technical Data Sheet for the specific ink(s) in question.

If this situation occurs to the ink in the printing line, either spray water or add very small amounts of water to the ink.
Adding water should never be done all at once and in large amounts.

The durability of inks can vary significantly depending on the specific ink in question. It should be noted that the shelf life of Adozione Inks varies depending on the specific product in question. For detailed information regarding the warranty shelf life of a particular ink, please consult the Technical Data Sheet (TDS).

For steam inks, we recommend the activator mixture to be between 10%-20% of the ink amount for flexography and 1 to 1 ratio for serigraphy.
We recommend the user to experiment with the ratio according to their own equipment and production line and then proceed to printing after reaching the most accurate result. 

Depending on the substrate, the sterilization process and the ink itself, different coating densities will be required to develop the appropriate signal. The user must determine the right amount according to their production line/platform.
Please refer to the color conversion table for guidance
It is important to consider the substrate when choosing an ink. The type and quality of the substrate and the film on it, if any, will affect the result.
The variables that influence the outcome include the coating density, the sterilization parameters, the substrate, and the position of the object within the sterilization apparatus.

Adozione Inks are not compatible with type N steam (gravity autoclave or conventional autoclave) autoclaves. The inks are fully compatible with autoclaves with pre-vacuum and accurate parameters.

In an N-type autoclave, steam is generated by a steam generator, either in the chamber or as part of the apparatus; air is passively exhausted by the steam itself pushing the air (gravity displacement = thermodynamic displacement) as the temperature rises. Type N autoclave is also called “gravity autoclave” or “classical autoclave”.

In the N-type autoclave, there is a possibility of air pockets in the cabin and load. Sterilization temperature cannot be reached in air pockets. Due to the lower temperature, sterilization fails in areas where air pockets are present. However, this type of sterilization failure cannot be detected by routine sterilization control (mechanical, chemical and spore testing).

It should be noted that inks themselves are not subject to the requirements of ISO. The standard pertains exclusively to chemical indicators, rather than the inks or coatings used to create them. Adozione Inks are being used on specific substrates to create Type 1 chemical indicators. The compliance of chemical indicators with the relevant standards is contingent upon the specific conditions of the printing process, including the characteristics of the substrate, the capabilities of the printing equipment, and the expertise of the printer.

Type 1: General indicators (e.g., reels, pouches)
Type 2: Specific test indicators (e.g., bowie-dick test packs)
Type 3: Single-variable indicators (e.g., heat only, steam only )
Type 4: Multi-variable indicators (e.g., strips, labels, chemical indicators)
Type 5: Integrating indicators for pack control (e.g.,chemical indicators)
Type 6: Cycle verification indicators (e.g., chemical indicators)