FAQ
General FAQ
To reach our technical support team please contact e-mail us at Tech_support@laco.com or call 1-800-625-4025 for assistance.
Sorry you’re having difficulties, please call us at 800-645-9890 or email webcustomerservice@laco.com
We will follow up with any e-mails or messages as quickly as possible, but please allow up to 24 hours for a response
Once you log into your account you’ll have an option to view your addresses. You can view, add, or delete any address information in your account settings
SDS information is automatically updated when a product is modified or an ingredient is changed. Please contact customer service at 800-645-9890 if you have any questions
Tracking information will be supplied in your Shipping Confirmation.
Shipping outside the Contiguous United States does not qualify for free shipping
Your order will be shipped via UPS and you will have the ability to choose from a number of shipping speed options; from next day air to ground.
These are fees placed on specific items that have shipping restrictions based on their classification. There are additional costs to safely pack and ship these items.
Once an order has been placed, we cannot alter it.
There are 2 ways to accomplish this: Contact customer service at 800-645-9890 or Sign into your account for details
All items must be unused and in original packaging.
Returns must be generated within 30 calendar days of purchase.
Returns for orders shipped to Canada will be sent to LA-CO Industries at the customer’s expense.
A return shipping label will be sent to the email that placed the order within the US.
Refunds are applied to the original payment method within 5 business of inspection at our warehouse. Credit will not be issued if the returned product has been used or not in original packaging.
Credit card refunds may take 2-10 business days to post to your account.
Refunds will not include any shipping charges or fees.
Customers is responsible for all Hazardous Material (Hazmat) return packaging and shipping charges to LA-CO Industries.
By submitting returns, you agree to our Terms & Conditions.
Refunds are applied via the original payment method within 5 business days after receipt and inspection at our warehouse. We cannot issue credit if the returned product is used.
Please contact customer service via email @ webcustomerservice@laco.com
Markal
Both markers can be used on a multitude of surfaces. An ink marker tends to dry faster than a paint marker on any surface, but is not as permanent. Ink markers are removed easily with common solvents such as alcohols and fade rapidly when exposed to sunlight. Paint markers are much more resistant to these conditions.
Most Markal® markers are meant to be permanent. However, some of these products can be ground off or removed with hazardous solvents like ketones and acetates. Markal® does make removable markers such as the W/S-3/8® Paintstik® and thePRO-WASH® series of paint markers that do not require any hazardous products to remove.
When exposed to air, paint will begin to harden when not in use. When a used paint marker tip is allowed to harden, paint may not be able to follow through and allow you to continue using the marker. Our cap contains a vapor seal that will keep air out preventing this from happening, allowing you to extend the life of your marker
Although there are thousands of uses, paint markers are most commonly used when a more durable and wear resistant mark is required. Paint markers are available in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and can often stand up to more extreme temperatures, surfaces, or environments than a standard ink marker. No marker works in every situation, which is why Markal® has the largest line of industrial grade paint markers. From our solid Paintstik® to our full line of liquid paint markers, Markal® has something that will meet your marking needs.
Generally, the stated shelf life on our products is two years. That does not mean that the product will not work beyond that point. In order to ensure quality, these products should be kept away from any moisture and any caps should be securely on the marker when it is not in use.
Yes! Replacement tips are available for the Valve Action® Paint Marker, PRO-LINE® HP, and the PRO-WASH® series.
PRO-WASH® Removable Paint Markers are designed to be semi-permanent. They are easily removed with either water for PRO-WASH® W or with detergent solution with PH higher than 10 for PRO-WASH® D. These markers are typically used in operations that require QC or Part ID marking during manufacturing, but then require a clean surface for painting, powder-coating, or plating.
You can be sure that all Markal® brand marking products are built to perform in even the toughest industrial environments, but some excel in applications where others can not. The PRO-LINE® HP liquid paint marker offers safe and reliable industrial grade making, but is also engineered to offer superior marking performance and adhesion on oily surfaces while leaving a durable, permanent mark. By being able to stand up to the toughest jobs and going where other markers cannot, you can be sure thatPRO-LINE® HP offer you a high performance marking option.
The Paint-Riter® Valve Action® Paint Marker contains 10cc of paint.
Markal® B® Paintstik® is a general-use solid paint marker used in many industrial marking applications from steel, ship building, commercial and home construction, to metal fabrication. Markal® manufactures many other solid paint markers with unique formulations for specialized applications:
F® Paintstik® - Fluorescent for brighter marks
B-L® and BL-W® Paintstik® - Bleed-through oil or water-base paints
N® Paintstik® - Markers that do not bleed through paint top-coats
FAST DRY® Paintstik® - Fast-dry paint formulations
M® and M-10 Paintstik® - Markers for heat-treating
O-10 Paintstik® - Markers for oily surfaces
WS-3/8® Paintstik® - Water-removable markers
Markal® manufactures markers for many different applications, including fast-drying. The FAST DRY® Paintstik® and Quik Stik® are Markal®'s fast-drying solid Paintstiks. Other fast-drying markers include Markal®'s liquid paint markers andpermanent ink markers.
Quik Stik® is a premium solid paint marker in a plastic, protective holder and cap, designed for applications where smooth, clean, visible marks are required to be permanent and hold fast in sunlight. Typical applications are smooth, rusty, or clean surfaces. Quik Stik® can be used anywhere that a permanent mark is required, such as car windows, tired, wood, or steel.
Yes! The Markal® B-L® Paintstik® is used for top-coat paints that are oil-base. The Markal® B-LW® Paintstik® is used for® top-coat paints that are water-base. Typical application method is to use the marker on the bare steel prior to applying the top-coat. When the paint dries the marks are visible through the paint.
Yes, our line of Low Corrosion markers have been regularly tested and approved to be safe for use on stainless steel, other alloy metals, and in many sensitive environments. Engineered to contain less than 200 ppm of chlorides and total halogens and less than 250 ppm of sulfur and each low melting point metal, our markers are safe for use on these materials and on jobsites that require low corrosion products.
Xylene has two by-products, Ethyl Benzene and Tolulene that are included on the California Proposition 65 listing of chemicals that can cause cancer or have reproductive heatlh problems. The Markal® Paint-Riter®+Oily Surface, Paint-Riter® Valve Action® Paint Markers, PRO-LINE® Fine and Micro, and PRO-MAX® are Xylene-free and do not contain any chemicals that require a California Proposition 65 warning. They also have no chemicals that are currently listed on the EPA SARA 313 or OSHA HAPS listings.
Markal® manufactures three different levels of hardness for SCAN-IT® Plus and ULTRASCAN® Lumber Crayons. Why three levels? Depending on the wood species, ambient temperature of the wood or work space where marking, and the relative pressure that the operator uses when marking wood, Markal© provides the right hardness for the job.
Markal® DURA-INK® are permanent felt-tip markers. For industrial use, DURA-INK® is stronger, last longer, and contain a specialized "cap-off" ink formulation. From the DURA-INK® 200 jumbo markers to the fine-point DURA-INK® 15 Markal© has an ink maker for every industrial application.
TRADES-MARKER® is a mechanical marker using a solid crayon that is adjustable to a preferred length. The crayon is very similar to the crayon used in a china marker. The difference is how one "renews" the crayon during use. A china markerrequired the user to unwrap the paper lining to expose new crayon surface. The TRADES-MARKER® crayon advances in the holder with the push of the cap. In addition to eliminating waster paper, the TRADES-MARKER® crayon can be used up completely in the holder and is easily refillable with a new crayon refill without using a new holder.
Markal® Thermomelts® are high performance temperature indicators and available in 88 exact farenheit temperatures. Accurate to within +/- 1% of the rated temperature, these temperature indicators are highly effective and 33% bigger than the competition. In addition, we also offer a full line of Certified Thermomelts® in 21 exact temperature ratings.
When working in certain applications, additional care needs to be taken to ensure that products being used on sensitive equipment will not have any damaging effects. Certain metals are subject to corrosion or degradation when in contact with chlorides, halogens, or other low melting point metals. Our Certified Thermomelts® are pre-certified temperature indicators that are individually batch analyzed and certified to meet stringent requirements for use on stainless steel or in nuclear or military applications. Whether your job calls for proof of certification or just to ensure safe usage, we have over 20 of the most common temperature Certified Thermomelts® in stock and pre-approved for your peace of mind.
Tempil
Estik™ is a direct-touch temperature measurement device while IRT-16 is a non-contact infrared temperature measurement device. In situations and places where surfaces are difficult to reach, non-stationary, or pose a safety risk, the IRT-16 is the ideal tool. In areas where direct access to a surface is available, Estik will allow for the fastest and most accurate indication using micro-thermocouple technology. Infrared technology accuracy is highly-dependent on distance from the surface, the angle of measurement, and emissivity (reflexivity) of the surface area. Estik’s unique ability to directly touch the surface eliminates these problematic factors.
Like all infrared thermometers, the IRT-16 uses infrared technology to measure a surface temperature within a specific area. The size of this area is dependent upon two factors, the distance from the surface and the aspect ratio of the tool itself. A 16:1 ratio, as found in the IRT-16, is a relative ratio between the distance from the surface being measured and the size of the area being measured. In this regard, if the IR thermometer is 16 inches away from a surface, it is measuring the average temperature across a one inch area; likewise measurement from 16 feet away will indicate the average temperature of a one foot section of the surface area.
A lower than desired aspect ratio can have drastic effects on accurate measurement, which is why our IRT-16 utilizes a high-performance 16:1 ratio.
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NIST certified versions of both our Estik™ and IRT-16 are available for purchase, with a certification valid for one year after the date of purchase. This product is sent out for third-party testing, approval, and certification for immediate compliance right out of the box. Although our standard versions of these products do not come with an NIST certification, all of our products are subjected to a rigorous internal testing on an NIST-certified device for proven accuracy according to our stated allowable ranges.
Due to a multitude of different conditions that may exist, measuring a surface temperature is most accurately measured by a direct-touch method. Non-touch measurement tools, such as infrared electronic devices, can have their accuracy negatively impacted due to texture, the material being measured, angle, distance, and the reflective properties (emissivity) of the surface. Products such as our IRT-16 have built-in controls to reduce the effects of emissivity differences and have increased distance-to-spot ratios for improved accuracy, but a direct-touch option is the only way in which to completely eliminate these factors, providing the highest-level of confidence in temperature readings.
No, the Estik utilizes a sensitive thermocouple for fast, accurate temperature indication. If during use or testing it appears that the temperature reading may have lost accuracy, this piece may have become damaged and is in need of replacement. A new thermocouple can be purchased and quickly installed in the Estik for guaranteed accuracy and like-new functionality.
Similar to Tempilstik®, Tempilaq will quickly and accurately indicate when a specific temperature has been met by melting from a dry, solid mark to a liquid. This mark will remain liquid as long as the surface it is applied to stays at or above the rated temperature. If the temperature cools below this point, the mark will solidify but will have produced a noticeably different mark. Depending on the formulation, this mark may have slightly changed color, become glossy, and have changed shape for fast indication that a specific temperature had been met or exceeded at a later time.
No, each temperature indicating stick is available in one color only due to each temperature utilizing a unique, proprietary formula. The color itself is not a part of the critical function of the product as the point at which the stick melts is what indicates when a proper temperature has been met, not the color or change of color of the stick.
Once the Tempilabel® reaches the rated temperature, it will change within seconds.
It depends on the conditions the label has been exposed to. Cool, dry locations can last many years but wet or oily locations may only last a few days. It is highly recommended that the label performance is fully evaluated by the end user in their unique application.
Tempilstik® : The stick will begin to smear and melt into a pool of liquid.
- Tempilaq® : The mark will liquefy and turn glossy. Upon cooling it will remain glossy and the mark will be deformed.
- Tempilabel® : The label window will change from white to gray/black.
Tempilstik® will not make a mark. It only melts when it reached its rated temperature. Consider Tempilaq or Tempilabel for applications that need to be marked before heating.
Due to the unique chemistry in each temperature the products vary in how smooth or thick they are.
LA-CO
Cool Gel® is a gel that is easily sprayed onto heat sensitive surfaces when soldering or brazing. This amazing gel protects the surface that it is sprayed on, and does not allow the surface to be burned.
Any surface! Go to the Cool Gel page to view some common Cool Gel® applications.
No, it will evaporate from any surface in 24-48 hours without leaving residue or staining.
No, Cool Gel® will not leave any stains or residue on dry wall, stainless steel, etc. If it is not wiped off it will evaporate in 24-48 hours.
LA-CO® recommends you do NOT let the product freeze. Since there is some water in Cool Gel®, there is the possibility of freezing. If the product freezes, it will not be as thick and you will have to use more product to get the same coverage.
Although Slic-tite® was engineered to work with and perform on most gas systems, it is not for use on Oxygen service. There are however, several other LA-CO® products that are usable. OXY-TITE®, Slic-tite® High Density PTFE Thread Tape or LA-CO PTFE Thread Tape can all be safely used. For more information on these products, visit the Pipe Thread Sealants category of the LA-CO website. You can also view the Thread Sealant Application Chart under the Resources section of this website.
No, Slic-tite® will wash off your hands with soap and water. If it gets on your clothes, Slic-tite® will come out with regular laundry detergent. Like any other chemical on your clothes, try to wash your clothes as soon as possible to get the best results.
LA-CO® manufactures a variety of thread sealants. To find the preferred thread sealants for your application, simply visit the Pipe Thread Sealants category of this website.
LA-CO® developed Slic-tite® with large particulates of PTFE or “grit” to help prevent leaks by filling the voids or valleys better than microscopic or “smooth” compounds. The more PTFE, the better the lubrication and leak prevention.
No, Slic-tite® was designed to be removed with little-to-no effort even 50 years after it was applied, making it a virtually no set thread sealant. Unlike the competition, it will remain soft inside the threaded connection. Any material outside the threaded connection and exposed to air will get hard over time.
Yes, Slic-tite® contains more PTFE than most thread sealants, which gives it a greater sealing power
The LA-CO® Thread Sealant Application Chart will give you a comprehensive breakdown of which sealant will work best for a particular service. The chart can be found under the Resources section of this website.
Yes, each batch meets the ASTM G-72 standards and is an inert thread sealant.
Yes, but PTFE Thread Tape will not help prevent leaks when the copper has annealed due to excessive heat near the threaded connection during the brazing process. The OXY-TITE® compound was engineered similarly to Slic-tite®. It contains PTFE and other fillers to help fill the voids and cracks and prevents leaks.
The sealing temperature is-320°F to 450°F (-196°C to 232°C).
Slic-tite® Stik is premium grade thread sealant in stick form! Use the stick like a crayon to apply premium thread sealant to a variety of pipes and fittings. Slic-tite® Stik is simple to use and easy to carry – it fits in a shirt pocket!
Slic-tite® is USDA approved for use in federally inspected meat and poultry plants. It can be used to seal threaded connections that are in these plants as long as there is no food contact. Application examples include air or hydraulic lines for machinery, waste pipes, sprinklers, etc. It can also be used on all plastic and metal threaded connections.
No, LA-CO® Regular Flux is lead-free.
LA-CO® Regular Flux has a super cleaning action on copper pipe. However, one should always properly clean pipe and fittings before soldering. To find out if an abrasive is needed, consult your local plumbing codes.
Is LA-CO® Regular Flux affected by extreme temperatures?
Two types of LA-CO® flux meet the ASTM B813 code: both LA-CO® Regular Flux and LA-CO® Flux-Rite 90®. Both of these types of flux are water-soluble, and will prevent flux pitting corrosion from occurring on the inside of copper pipe. These types of flux will thoroughly wash through and leave the system clean and free of flux. They will not clog aerators, tankless water heater lines, or other systems.
When LA-CO® Regular Flux is applied on copper pipe; it can eventually induce a slight green coloring on the pipe. To prevent the green color from appearing, simply wipe the joint after soldering. This will remove residue and make your copper joint look great. The green coloring is due to oxidation. LA-CO® Regular Flux cleans copper so well that the copper oxidizes quickly in order to prevent corrosion. LA-CO® Regular Flux is water soluble, and it will prevent flux pitting corrosion from occurring on the inside of the copper pipe.
HEAT-SEAL STIK® will work to 600 psi.
Yes, HEAT-SEAL STIK® is designed for repairs on aluminum, as well as, copper and other metals.
Yes, HEAT-SEAL STIK® is NSF approved.
The hole can be no bigger than 1/8”
Once the leak has been located, pull a vacuum, recovering any remaining refrigerant. Mechanically clean the area with a knife or stainless steel brush. Do not use sand cloth or other products that will potentially leave a residue. If sand cloth is used, the epoxy will not stick to the pipe but to the abrasive residue left behind. Heat adjacent to the leak (Do not put the flame directly on HEAT-SEAL STIK® as it will melt). Test the HEAT-SEAL STIK® by touching it to the metal as the flame is heating the surface. Keep the flame adjacent to the leak and once the HEAT-SEAL STIK® begins to melt, rub thoroughly over the leak until covered. Allow the epoxy to cool to room temperature or shock with a wet rag to cool. Test the system with sure chek®, VISU-GLOW®, or ALERT® leak detectors to verify the leak has been repaired. Recharge the system. Remove cured epoxy from the stik with a knife before next use. Cured epoxy cannot be reused.
Yes, but you must cut the cured end of the HEAT-SEAL STIK® off before using again.
Liquid dish soaps can be corrosive to various metals due to their high content of chlorides and halogens. Because sure chek®, VISU-GLOW®, and ALERT® are non-corrosive and non-toxic, they will not damage the pipes being checked.
Yes, all LA-CO® leak detectors are okay to use on CSST systems. Sure chek®, along with VISU-GLOW® and ALERT® contain low chlorides and halogens so they do not damage metals. Be sure to check the warranty requirements of your CSST manufacturer before using any chemical.
When checking an oxygen system, make sure to use a leak detector that is safe for oxygen. All of LA-CO® leak detectors – Sure chek®, VISU-GLOW®, and ALERT® – are safe for oxygen systems.
All Weather
We recommend using the HC Paintstik® in temperatures betweeen 70°F to 115°F (21°C to 46°C). For lower temperatures, we recommend the regular ALL-WEATHER Paintstik®.
Yes, all our paint markers are non-toxic and safe for use on all types of livestock. Please read the MSDS for each product for the safe handling and use of our products
ALL-WEATHER Paintstik® and TWIST-STIK® are made from oil based paints. It can be removed from your hands with paint thinner, mineral spirits, or turpentine. Fresh paint stains may be removed by using the same paint thinners if the paint is still wet. Once the paint is dry on clothing, it becomes very difficult to remove.
We recommend that you use the ALL-WEATHER Paintstik® for tail painting cows. For over 60 years it has been the preferred marker for this application because the paint is designed to stay on the cow until it is removed by the repeated mounts by other cows.
No, they are different types of paint. The paint used for the Paintstik® will dry after several hours which make it last longer on the animal, even in rainy weather. The TWIST-STIK® paint does not completely dry, thus it is used for marking animals where the marks do not have to last as long on the animal.
Yes, our ALL-WEATHER Plastic Ear Tag Markers are designed to work on all polyurethane plastic ear tags
No, a consumer grade ink marker does not have the proper ink formula to actually penetrate the plastic ear tag like our ear tag marker does. They also don't have the UV light protection needed to keep the marks from fading when subjected to extended periods of sunlight.
Our Paintstik® and TWIST-STIK® are suitable for the temporary marking of sheep. Care should be taken as the colors are not completely scourable.
We offer 15 colors in the Paintstik® and 9 colors in the TWIST-STIK®. The QUIK SHOT® spray paint comes in 6 colors in both upright and inverted tip cans
Sometimes overly active cows and heifers can lick off the paint from other cows. We have heard from some dairymen that they have had success in using our QUIK SHOT® spray paints on their overly active cows and heifers. The cows do not seem attracted to the paint as much and tend to leave it alone. The paint still comes off when the cow has been mounted, thus giving positive feedback when the cow is going into heat. You may want to give it a try.
The Meat Marker activates once it touches the moisturized surface of an animal’s carcass.
No, the mark can be dissolved with excessive moisture or frost.
Tempilink
Sterilization is a process which kills or removes any life forms which may be on the surface of an item. It is different from cleaning or disinfecting, which only remove major particles and life forms from surfaces. Sterilization is critical in medical applications to help ensure patient and medical personnel safety.
A Chemical Indicator (CI) is a physical or chemical device used to indicate exposure to one or more process parameters of the sterilization cycle. The CI will visibly change color from an initial starting point to a “distinctly different color” (ISO 11140-1:2014) Tempilinks serve as Chemical Indicators and are designed to change color indicating proper sterilization conditions for the process to which it was exposed.
Note: Tempilinks are not intended to replace biological monitors that directly measure spore kill, bacteria kill or elimination of other pathogens.
Sterilization conditions vary significantly; however, Tempil inks have been designed with the following conditions in mind:
- Steam/Autoclave: Saturated steam at 250 F/121 C for 10 minutes (long cycle) OR Saturated steam at 273 F/134 C for 2 minutes Gas
- EtO EO gas 600mg/l conc. at 130 F/54 C for 20 minutes, OR 99 F/37C for 25 minutes.
- Plasma: 6 min., 122 F/50 C, 2.3+/-0.4mg gas concentration
- Irradiation: E-beam & Gamma radiation 10kGy (1.0 megarad)
- Dry Heat: Dry heat at 320 F/160 C for 40 minutes
- Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde gas 1.0 mol/l concentration at 158 F/70 C for 15 minutes
Basic info to expedite the selection includes:
- Substrate
- Type of sterilization process
- Color preference (both print and signal colors)
- Solvent-based or Water-based preference
- Printing technology
Tempilinks contain chemical components that must be present in a sufficient quantity and balance for the chemical indicator to signal properly. When viscosity adjustments are necessary, please refer to Technical Data Sheets for an appropriate solvent and guidelines for addition.
The ink signal color change can be impacted by several things. In all these situations, the ink will print well and look good in its initial, unsignaled color. Among the most common are:
- Not enough ink laydown. For most chemical indicator inks, too fine of an ink laydown will not deposit enough of the materials required to make the color change
- Inadequate mixing of the ink prior to printing. Tempilinks have high solids content to enable the signal color change. Failure to thoroughly mix the ink will not disperse the solids evenly throughout the ink, resulting in inconsistent signals. Please refer to the Technical Data Sheet for the ink(s) you are using for mixing instructions.
- Substrate compatibility. Sometimes the material being printed can cause a reaction with the ink, which prevents the signal color. Although this is not common, it is always important to check compatibility prior to printing.
- The sterilization unit may not be functioning properly. Although it is more common to think of the ink first, the intention of the ink is to confirm that the sterilization process has taken place. If the indicator is not changing color and it is not one of the other potential causes, make sure the sterilization system is functioning properly.
Shelf lives of inks vary based on the ink. There is not a common shelf live for all Tempilinks. Please refer to the Technical Data Sheet (TDS) for shelf life information on the specific ink you are questioning.
Tempilinks will require different coating weights for development of the appropriate signal based on the substrate, the sterilization process, and the ink itself.
Tempilinks come in various colors; however, due to their indicating nature, inks cannot be matched to pantone color charts. Please refer to the Tempilink color chart for a directional overview.
Yes. It is important to consider the substrate when making an ink selection.
Coating weight, sterilization conditions, printing substrate, position in the sterilizer, and more.
Please note: Inks themselves cannot be compliant to ISO 11140-1:2014. The standard is specific to Chemical Indicators not the inks or coatings used to create them. Tempilinks have been printed on specific substrates to create ISO 11140-1:2014 Type 1 Chemical Indicators. Chemical Indicators’ compliance with standards is dependent upon the specific conditions of your printing process (substrate, equipment, printer’s skills, etc.).
Types of Medical Sterilization Indicators (Per ISO 11140-1:2014)
| ISO 11140-1:2014 Definition | Applications | |
|---|---|---|
| Type 1(Formerly Class) | "Printing of peel-pouch packaging for reusable and single-use devices, decontamination bags, and lid stock are common applications. Labels, tags, pressure-sensitive tapes, and dots can also be printed for use during on-site sterilization processes." | Pouches, reels, labels, and tape are all common examples of Type 1 Chemical Indications. |
| Type 2(Formerly Class) | "Type 2 indicators are intended for use in specific test procedures as defined in relevant sterilizer/sterilization standards." | The Bowie-Dick Test packs are the most common application of Type 2 Chemical indicators. They are used to test the effectiveness of air removal for steam penetration of steam sterilization units. |
| Type 3(Formerly Class) | "A single variable indicator shall be designed to react to one of the critical variables and is intended to indicate exposure to a sterilization process at a stated value (SV) of the chosen variable." | A chemical indicator which reacts to a single variable, such as heat only, is an example of Type 3. |
| Type 4(Formerly Class) | "A multi-variable indicator shall be designed to react to two or more of the critical variables and is intended to indicate exposure to a sterilization cycle at SVs of the chosen variable." | Most commonly printed strips or labels, Type 4 indicators react to 2 or more variables, such as heat and steam, at established levels. |
| Type 5(Formerly Class) | "Integrating indicators shall be designed to react to all critical variables. The SVs are generated to be equivalent to, or exceed the performance requirements given in the ISO 11138 series for BIs." | May be used as an internal chemical indicator for pack control monitoring. Internal chemical indicators should be used inside each pack. • Can also be used as an additional monitoring tool to release loads that do not contain implants. For this application the Type 5 Integrating Indicator must be used in the appropriate Process Challenge Device (PCD).(2) • Should be used in a PCD to monitor implant loads. The PCD should also contain a BI. The implant should not be released until the BI result is known, except in emergencies.(2) |
| Type 6(Formerly Class) | "Emulating indicators are cycle verification indicators which shall be designed to react to all critical variables for specified sterilization cycles. The SVs are generated from the critical variables of the specified sterilization process." | Type 6 indicators have limited use to date and are not currently controlled by ISO. |
Applications: When “duty-free” items are purchased at an airport, they may be placed in bags and sealed. This shows nothing has been added to the bag.
Products: Duty-free bags, tamper evident tapes
