The ideal pH of the sterilization water in the autoclave process should be in the range of 7.00 to 8.00. Values above this range may cause blackening of the tin by stannite formation and detachment of the varnish by an alkaline etching effect.

To obtain this ideal pH range, it is recommended to use buffering additive products and to add antioxidant additives to the sterilization water to minimize corrosion processes.