>1. Material: SA516 Grade 70 PVQ (Pressure Vessel Quality) carbon steel >2. Design pressure: as per request >3. Color: Natural
An autoclave applies both heat and pressure to the workload placed inside of it. Typically, there are
two classes of autoclave. Those pressurized with steam process workloads which can withstand
exposure to water, while circulating heated gas provides greater flexibility and control of the heating
atmosphere.Processing by autoclave is far more costly than oven heating and is therefore generally
used only when isostatic pressure must be applied to a workload of comparatively complex shape.
For smaller flat parts, heated presses offer much shorter cycle times. In other applications, the
pressure is not required by the process but is integral with the use of steam, since steam temperature
is directly related to steam pressure. Rubber vulcanizing exemplifies this category of autoclaving.
For exceptional requirements, such as the curing of ablative composite rocket engine nozzles and
missile nosecones, a hydroclave can be used, but this entails extremely high equipment costs and
elevated risks in operation. The hydroclave is pressurized with water;[3] the pressure keeps the
water in liquid phase despite the high temperature.
The key component of the industrial autoclave is the fast-opening door; this is also the critical component
in cost of autoclave construction. On one hand, the operator must be able to open and close the door
quickly and easily; on the other, the door must satisfy stringent safety requirements. Such is the quality
of autoclave door design that the US experiences as few as an estimated five or six autoclave failures
annually.
Autoclave design is driven by various safety standards, foremost among which is the ASME Pressure
Vessel Code. While most nations use the ASME code, some have developed their own. The CE
standard in Europe applies to vessels as well as to electrical controls, and China requires that pressure
vessels comply with their domestic code.[4] All codes specify conservative requirements intended to
maximize safety. Local governments may also impose licensing requirements related to autoclave operation.
autoclave pressure vessel
