Objective  To understand the corrosivities of medical detergents to metals and develop an evaluation methodology.

Method  Experimental procedure is in accordance with the Technical Standard of Disinfection (2002).

Results The corrosivities of alkaline detergent A to stainless steel, brass and aluminum are stronger than those of alkaline detergent B.In 13 multienzyme medical detergents, the rates of mild corrosive and non-corrosive actions to stainless steel are 7.69% and 92.31% respectively; the rates of moderate corrosive, mild corrosive and non-corrosive actions to brass are 15.38%, 23.08% and 61.54% respectively; the rates of moderate corrosive, mild corrosive and non-corrosive actions to carbon steel are 53.85%, 30.77% and 15.38% respectively; along with the rates of moderate corrosive, mild corrosive and non-corrosive actions to aluminum are 7.69%, 38.46% and 53.85% respectively.The corrosivities of scale remover, rust remover and brightening agent to brass, carbon steel and aluminum are stronger than those of pure water.The corrosivities of iodine remover to brass and aluminum are stronger than those of pure water.The corrosivities of lubricant A to brass is stronger than that of pure water.The corrosivities of humectant A to brass is stronger than that of pure water.

Conclusions The variations of corrosivity for medical detergents are quite large.The authors recommend that there is a great need of more metals that used for medical device manufactures should take their parts in the above experiment.Besides, one should pay attention to the pH value of medical detergents, owing to it plays an important role in the evaluation of corrosiveness of such liquids.