Eric -

I am assuming your materials choice in this design concept is polyimide, with
its ~240C Tg.

If sterilization is to be done on a one time basis, and moisture of the
autoclave atmosphere is kept low, then the process is probably not destructive
to the product.  Be sure to  stay away from the acrylic bonded flex, with its
Tg  of 40C.  You also need to be sure your electronic components are up to
this type storage temperature.

If the sterilization process is to be performed repeatedly, then I would
expect to see some significant changes in solder properties and perhaps
component operating characteristics.  At some number of cycles, you will
probably reach a stage where you start to see cracked solder connections, etc.
  Plastic component bodies may also be subject to degradation - this answer
needs to come from the parts manufacturers, along with any prediction of what
will happen to the inner part elements.

Quite a lot of work has gone into long term reliability testing of materials,
parts, solder, etc., but it takes considerable effort to dig the data out.  As
I noted above, I recommend starting with the materials and parts manufacturers.

Prediction of an actual failure point is one of those things which is highly
design dependent, and is also best confirmed by long term testing.  (Too
often, we get so many factors in the calculations that the real results are
never known.)

Good luck - Kelly

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