Automotive V-Belt as Autoclave Door Gasket Improvise in a Financially Constrained Healthcare Facility

Authors

  • Innocent, C. Ekuma Department of Biomedical Engineering, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State
  • Chilee, M. Ekwedigwe Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu - Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State
  • Chidume, N. Nwambu Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Anambra
  • Benjamin, Okechukwu Ezurike Department of Mechanical Engineering, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu - Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State
  • Ikenna, U. Mbabuike Department of Mechanical Engineering, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu - Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State

Keywords:

Automotive, V-belt, Autoclave, Healthcare, Gasket

Abstract

This study seeks to document our experience with the use of an automotive V-belt as an autoclave door seal improvise in a financially constrained healthcare facility with respect to the experiment and outcome. The investigation was conducted using a 150-liter vertical steam autoclave in the Central Sterilization and Supply unit of a healthcare facility in Ebonyi state Nigeria. The standard lid seal was replaced with a locally sourced multi-ply automotive/industrial V-belt of the same circumference. The improvised seal was used over a number of sterilization cycles under standard conditions (121oC, ~15psi steam). The result indicated initial effective sterilization. However, after repeated cycles, the improvised seal exhibited material fatigue, loss of elasticity, and diminished compression.  This outcome suggests that while a V- belt may serve as a temporary stop-gap in emergencies, it is not a substitute to standard autoclave gasket.

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Published

2026-04-07

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 1 (2026): UNIZIK Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Section

Articles