Sterilization is defined as the process of destroying all forms of microorganisms, including spores. The autoclave, thanks to its design, allows the sterilization process to be carried out with high pressure and steam, killing any microorganism, including viruses, dangerous bacteria, as well as all their forms of spores. The use of a pressure steam autoclave is one of the best known and most effective sterilization methods.

A tool or material that is sterile, that is, that has undergone a sterilization process, is completely safe for the human body. For sterilization to be effective, the material must be properly prepared, the process itself must be performed correctly, and the tools after sterilization must be properly stored.

These equipment are especially used in laboratories to sterilize materials stable to heat, humidity and pressure; using a steam water pressure method, this being the most effective and fast; It allows to kill microorganisms, such as viruses, dangerous bacteria, sterilization uses the coagulation method to kill these microorganisms, there are materials that require a specific autoclave, depending on the conditions of the sample, according to the European standard EN 13060 of 2004, three basic classes of sterilization are distinguished.

An autoclave is a thick-walled metal container with a tight seal that allows working with high-pressure, high-temperature water vapor, used to sterilize medical or laboratory equipment. This computer is capable of inactivating most viruses and bacteria.  The autoclave was invented by Charles Chamberland in 1879.

Autoclaves are equipment used mainly in sterilization applications and in the chemical industry, and today thanks to its effectiveness and low cost, it remains one of the most used methods of sterilization, because it produces greater volume of sterile material, destroys in a shorter time the infectious matter present and does not damage the material to be sterilized (provided that the latter is suitable for autoclavado).