Corrosion resistance describes how well a material withstands chemical attack when exposed to a particular fluid or environment. The table below provides a quick comparison of the approximate corrosion resistance of carbon steel, cast iron, brass, copper, bronze, aluminium and titanium when exposed to a wide range of common chemicals and fluids.
Engineers use corrosion resistance and chemical compatibility tables during the early stages of material selection. They can help identify which metals may be suitable for components such as pipes, valves, pumps, tanks, fittings and other equipment that will come into contact with particular chemicals or process fluids.
For example, if an engineer is selecting a material for equipment that will contain acetic acid, the relevant row can be used to compare the approximate resistance of carbon steel, cast iron, brass, copper, bronze, aluminium and titanium.
The table should be used as an initial material-selection guide rather than a final design specification. Corrosion behaviour can change considerably with temperature, chemical concentration, contamination, flow conditions, aeration and the exact alloy or material grade.
Locate the chemical or fluid in the first column and then read across the row to compare the corrosion resistance ratings for the available metals.
| Fluid | Carbon Steel | Cast Iron | Brass | Copper | Bronze | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Acetaldehyde | C | C | A | - | A | B | A |
| Acetamide | C | D | - | - | D | A | - |
| Acetate Solvent | A | D | A | A | C | A | A |
| Acetic Acid | D | D | D | B | C | B | A |
| Acetic Acid 20% | D | D | D | B | C | B | A |
| Acetic Acid 80% | D | D | D | B | C | B | A |
| Acetic Acid, Glacial | A | D | - | B | C | B | A |
| Acetic Anhydride | D | D | D | B | C | A | A |
| Acetone | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Acetyl Bromide | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Acetyl Chloride (dry) | - | B | D | A | - | D | - |
| Acetylene | A | A | B | D | C | A | - |
| Acrylonitrile | - | A | A | A | - | B | - |
| Adipic Acid | A | - | D | - | A | - | |
| Alcohols:Amyl | C | B | A | A | A | B | B |
| Alcohols:Benzyl | - | B | - | B | A | B | A |
| Alcohols:Butyl | C | B | A | A | A | B | A |
| Alcohols:Diacetone | A | A | A | - | A | A | A |
| Alcohols:Ethyl | A | B | A | A | A | B | A |
| Alcohols:Hexyl | A | A | - | - | A | A | A |
| Alcohols:Isobutyl | A | C | - | - | A | B | B |
| Alcohols:Isopropyl | A | A | - | B | A | B | B |
| Alcohols:Methyl | A | A | A | B | A | A | B |
| Alcohols:Octyl | A | A | - | A | A | A | A |
| Alcohols:Propyl | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Aluminum Chloride | D | D | D | B | D | D | B |
| Aluminum Chloride 20% | D | D | D | - | D | D | B |
| Aluminum Fluoride | A | D | - | D | - | B | A |
| Aluminum Hydroxide | A | A | B | D | C | B | B |
| Aluminum Nitrate | - | - | - | - | - | D | A |
| Aluminum Potassium Sulfate 10% | A | D | A | A | - | C | A |
| Aluminum Potassium Sulfate 100% | A | D | - | B | - | C | A |
| Aluminum Sulfate | A | D | B | A | B | B | A |
| Fluid | Carbon Steel | Cast Iron | Brass | Copper | Bronze | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Alums | - | D | - | C | - | A | A |
| Amines | B | D | B | - | D | B | B |
| Ammonia 10% | - | A | - | - | D | A | C |
| Ammonia Nitrate | A | A | - | - | D | C | - |
| Ammonia, anhydrous | B | A | D | D | D | A | C |
| Ammonia, liquid | A | A | - | - | D | A | C |
| Ammonium Acetate | - | - | D | - | D | A | - |
| Ammonium Bifluoride | - | D | - | - | D | B | - |
| Ammonium Carbonate | B | B | D | D | D | B | A |
| Ammonium Caseinate | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Ammonium Chloride | D | D | D | D | D | B | B |
| Ammonium Hydroxide | C | D | D | D | D | B | A |
| Ammonium Nitrate | D | B | D | D | D | B | A |
| Ammonium Oxalate | A | D | - | C | D | - | - |
| Ammonium Persulfate | A | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Ammonium Phosphate, Dibasic | D | D | B | D | D | B | A |
| Ammonium Phosphate, Monobasic | A | D | - | D | D | B | A |
| Ammonium Phosphate, Tribasic | D | D | - | D | C | B | A |
| Ammonium Sulfate | C | D | D | D | D | A | A |
| Ammonium Sulfite | D | - | D | A | D | - | |
| Ammonium Thiosulfate | A | D | D | D | D | - | A |
| Amyl Acetate | C | C | A | A | A | A | A |
| Amyl Alcohol | A | B | A | A | A | B | B |
| Amyl Chloride | A | A | - | A | A | A | C |
| Aniline | C | C | D | D | C | C | C |
| Aniline Hydrochloride | - | D | D | B | D | D | A |
| Antifreeze | C | A | - | - | A | A | - |
| Antimony Trichloride | - | - | D | - | A | D | B |
| Aqua Regia (80% HCl, 20% HNO3) | - | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Arochlor 1248 | A | B | A | - | A | A | A |
| Aromatic Hydrocarbons | A | A | - | - | C | A | - |
| Arsenic Acid | D | D | D | A | B | D | B |
| Arsenic Salts | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Asphalt | - | A | B | A | A | A | - |
| Fluid | Carbon Steel | Cast Iron | Brass | Copper | Bronze | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Barium Carbonate | B | A | B | A | B | D | A |
| Barium Chloride | C | C | B | B | B | D | A |
| Barium Cyanide | A | C | C | D | C | C | - |
| Barium Hydroxide | C | D | D | - | D | D | B |
| Barium Nitrate | A | A | D | B | D | B | A |
| Barium Sulfate | C | B | B | B | C | B | B |
| Barium Sulfide | C | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Beer | D | D | B | B | A | A | B |
| Beet Sugar Liquids | - | A | - | A | C | A | A |
| Benzaldehyde | A | A | - | B | A | B | A |
| Benzene | C | A | - | B | A | B | A |
| Benzene Sulfonic Acid | - | - | - | - | - | D | B |
| Benzoic Acid | - | D | - | - | B | B | A |
| Benzol | - | A | - | B | A | B | A |
| Benzonitrile | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Benzyl Chloride | - | - | - | D | D | D | - |
| Bleaching Liquors | - | - | - | - | - | - | A |
| Borax (Sodium Borate) | C | A | - | B | B | B | B |
| Boric Acid | C | D | - | B | B | D | A |
| Brewery Slop | - | A | - | - | A | - | - |
| Bromine | D | D | - | - | D | D | D |
| Butadiene | C | C | A | C | C | A | - |
| Butane | C | C | A | C | C | A | A |
| Butanol (Butyl Alcohol) | - | - | - | B | A | B | B |
| Butter | - | D | - | - | D | A | - |
| Buttermilk | - | D | - | - | D | A | - |
| Butyl Amine | - | - | - | - | B | A | B |
| Butyl Ether | - | - | - | - | - | A | - |
| Butyl Phthalate | - | - | - | - | - | B | B |
| Butyl Acetate | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Butylene | A | A | A | D | D | A | - |
| Butyric Acid | A | D | - | C | D | B | A |
| Calcium Bisulfate | - | D | - | - | C | - | - |
| Calcium Bisulfide | - | D | D | - | C | C | A |
| Fluid | Carbon Steel | Cast Iron | Brass | Copper | Bronze | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Calcium Bisulfite | - | - | - | - | - | D | A |
| Calcium Carbonate | - | D | - | - | A | D | B |
| Calcium Chlorate | B | - | - | A | - | - | - |
| Calcium Chloride | B | C | - | B | A | D | A |
| Calcium Hydroxide | - | A | - | - | D | C | A |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | - | D | - | - | D | D | A |
| Calcium Nitrate | - | B | - | - | B | B | B |
| Calcium Oxide | - | - | - | D | C | A | |
| Calcium Sulfate | - | A | - | - | A | C | A |
| Calgon | - | D | - | - | C | - | - |
| Cane Juice | - | A | - | - | A | B | - |
| Carbolic Acid (Phenol) | B | D | D | D | B | A | A |
| Carbon Bisulfide | - | B | - | - | B | B | - |
| Carbon Dioxide (dry) | D | D | B | - | A | B | A |
| Carbon Dioxide (wet) | D | D | - | - | A | A | A |
| Carbon Disulfide | C | A | - | - | D | A | B |
| Carbon Monoxide | - | A | - | A | A | A | - |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | D | - | A | A | D | A |
| Carbon Tetrachloride (dry) | - | - | A | - | B | D | A |
| Carbon Tetrachloride (wet) | - | C | B | - | A | D | A |
| Carbonated Water | - | D | D | B | A | A | - |
| Carbonic Acid | C | D | D | - | B | B | B |
| Catsup | - | D | - | D | A | D | - |
| Chloric Acid | - | D | D | D | D | D | - |
| Chlorinated Glue | - | D | - | - | A | - | - |
| Chlorine (dry) | - | D | D | A | B | C | D |
| Chlorine Water | - | D | D | D | B | D | A |
| Chlorine, Anhydrous Liquid | - | C | D | - | D | D | D |
| Chloroacetic Acid | - | D | D | D | C | D | A |
| Chlorobenzene (Mono) | C | B | B | B | C | A | B |
| Chlorobromomethane | - | B | - | B | - | - | - |
| Chloroform | C | B | B | A | B | B | A |
| Chlorosulfonic Acid | D | D | B | D | D | C | A |
| Chocolate Syrup | - | D | - | - | - | A | - |
| Fluid | Carbon Steel | Cast Iron | Brass | Copper | Bronze | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Chromic Acid 10% | D | D | D | D | D | D | B |
| Chromic Acid 30% | D | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Chromic Acid 5% | D | D | D | D | B | C | A |
| Chromic Acid 50% | D | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Chromium Salts | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Cider | - | D | - | - | A | B | - |
| Citric Acid | D | D | D | D | D | C | A |
| Citric Oils | - | D | - | - | A | C | - |
| Cloroxr (Bleach) | - | D | - | - | - | A | - |
| Coffee | - | - | - | - | A | A | A |
| Copper Chloride | - | - | - | - | D | - | D |
| Copper Cyanide | - | A | D | - | D | D | B |
| Copper Fluoborate | - | D | - | - | - | - | - |
| Copper Nitrate | - | D | D | D | D | D | B |
| Copper Sulfate >5% | D | D | D | - | D | D | A |
| Copper Sulfate 5% | D | D | D | B | B | D | A |
| Cream | - | D | - | - | A | A | - |
| Cresols | - | C | - | A | A | A | B |
| Cresylic Acid | - | A | - | B | D | B | A |
| Cupric Acid | - | - | - | - | - | D | A |
| Cyanic Acid | - | D | - | - | - | - | - |
| Cyclohexane | - | B | A | B | B | A | A |
| Cyclohexanone | - | B | - | B | B | A | - |
| Detergents | A | - | - | - | B | B | A |
| Diacetone Alcohol | - | - | A | A | B | A | - |
| Dichlorobenzene | - | - | - | - | B | B | - |
| Dichloroethane | - | - | B | A | D | B | B |
| Diesel Fuel | A | A | A | A | A | A | B |
| Diethyl Ether | - | - | B | A | A | B | A |
| Diethylamine | - | B | A | A | A | B | A |
| Diethylene Glycol | B | A | - | - | - | B | A |
| Dimethyl Aniline | - | - | - | - | - | A | A |
| Dimethyl Formamide | - | - | - | A | - | A | - |
| Diphenyl | a | - | B | B | B | B | B |
| Fluid | Carbon Steel | Cast Iron | Brass | Copper | Bronze | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Diphenyl Oxide | - | A | - | A | - | B | A |
| Dyes | - | - | A | A | - | B | - |
| Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulfate) | - | A | A | A | A | B | A |
| Ethane | - | - | - | A | - | - | - |
| Ethanol | D | B | A | A | A | B | A |
| Ethanolamine | C | - | - | D | B | B | B |
| Ether | B | C | B | A | A | B | A |
| Ethyl Acetate | C | A | B | A | A | A | A |
| Ethyl Benzoate | - | - | - | A | - | - | - |
| Ethyl Chloride | C | C | A | B | A | B | A |
| Ethyl Ether | - | C | B | A | A | B | A |
| Ethyl Sulfate | - | - | - | B | D | - | - |
| Ethylene Bromide | - | - | - | - | B | B | B |
| Ethylene Chloride | C | - | - | B | A | B | B |
| Ethylene Chlorohydrin | - | - | B | B | B | B | B |
| Ethylene Diamine | - | - | D | D | B | B | A |
| Ethylene Dichloride | C | A | B | - | C | A | B |
| Ethylene Glycol | A | A | B | A | A | A | A |
| Ethylene Oxide | - | D | D | D | C | D | - |
| Fatty Acids | D | C | C | D | A | A | B |
| Ferric Chloride | D | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Ferric Nitrate | D | - | D | D | C | D | A |
| Ferric Sulfate | D | D | D | D | C | D | A |
| Ferrous Chloride | D | D | D | B | C | D | A |
| Ferrous Sulfate | D | D | B | B | B | B | A |
| Fluoboric Acid | - | D | - | - | B | D | D |
| Fluorine | D | D | A | C | C | A | D |
| Fluosilicic Acid | - | D | B | D | B | D | D |
| Formaldehyde 100% | A | C | - | A | B | A | A |
| Formaldehyde 40% | - | B | A | B | A | B | B |
| Formic Acid | D | D | D | C | C | A | C |
| Freon 113 | - | - | - | A | - | - | C |
| Freon 12 | - | A | B | A | B | B | B |
| Freon 22 | - | D | A | B | - | D | B |
| Fluid | Carbon Steel | Cast Iron | Brass | Copper | Bronze | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Freon TF | - | A | - | A | - | D | B |
| Freonr 11 | B | A | - | A | - | D | B |
| Fruit Juice | D | D | D | A | - | A | A |
| Fuel Oils | B | A | B | A | A | C | A |
| Furan Resin | A | - | - | - | - | A | - |
| Furfural | A | B | - | A | B | A | A |
| Gallic Acid | D | D | - | D | B | D | B |
| Gasoline (high-aromatic) | A | A | - | - | A | D | B |
| Gasoline, leaded, ref. | - | - | - | B | A | A | A |
| Gasoline, unleaded | - | A | - | B | A | A | A |
| Gelatin | D | A | D | A | A | A | A |
| Glucose | B | A | A | A | - | A | A |
| Glue, P.V.A. | A | A | - | B | A | A | A |
| Glycerin | B | A | B | A | A | A | A |
| Glycolic Acid | - | - | - | - | - | - | A |
| Gold Monocyanide | - | D | - | - | - | - | - |
| Grape Juice | - | D | - | - | A | - | A |
| Grease | A | A | A | A | A | - | - |
| Heptane | B | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Hexane | B | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Honey | - | A | - | - | A | A | - |
| Hydraulic Oil (Petro) | A | A | A | A | A | A | - |
| Hydraulic Oil (Synthetic) | - | - | A | A | A | A | - |
| Hydrazine | - | D | - | A | - | - | - |
| Hydrobromic Acid 100% | D | D | D | D | - | D | A |
| Hydrobromic Acid 20% | - | D | D | D | - | D | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid 100% | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid 20% | D | D | - | D | D | D | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid 37% | D | D | - | D | D | D | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid, Dry Gas | D | - | D | D | A | D | C |
| Hydrocyanic Acid | C | D | D | D | A | A | B |
| Hydrocyanic Acid (Gas 10%) | - | - | - | - | - | - | A |
| Hydrofluoric Acid 100% | D | D | - | B | B | D | D |
| Hydrofluoric Acid 20% | - | D | - | B | B | D | D |
| Fluid | Carbon Steel | Cast Iron | Brass | Copper | Bronze | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Hydrofluoric Acid 50% | - | D | - | B | B | D | D |
| Hydrofluoric Acid 75% | - | D | - | B | B | D | D |
| Hydrofluosilicic Acid 100% | - | D | - | - | B | D | D |
| Hydrofluosilicic Acid 20% | - | B | - | B | B | D | D |
| Hydrogen Gas | B | - | - | A | A | A | A |
| Hydrogen Peroxide 10% | C | C | - | D | B | A | A |
| Hydrogen Peroxide 100% | D | B | D | D | B | A | B |
| Hydrogen Peroxide 30% | D | B | - | D | B | A | B |
| Hydrogen Peroxide 50% | D | - | - | D | B | A | A |
| Hydrogen Sulfide (aqua) | - | D | - | - | A | B | B |
| Hydrogen Sulfide (dry) | B | D | D | D | B | B | A |
| Hydroquinone | - | - | - | B | - | B | B |
| Hydroxyacetic Acid 70% | - | B | - | - | - | - | A |
| Ink | D | D | - | A | - | - | - |
| Iodine | - | D | - | D | A | A | A |
| Iodine (in alcohol) | - | - | - | - | B | B | B |
| Iodoform | B | - | - | B | - | - | B |
| Isooctane | - | - | A | - | A | A | - |
| Isopropyl Acetate | - | - | - | - | A | D | - |
| Isopropyl Ether | A | - | A | B | A | A | - |
| Isotane | - | - | - | - | - | D | - |
| Jet Fuel (JP3, JP4, JP5) | A | A | - | A | A | A | A |
| Kerosene | A | A | A | B | A | A | A |
| Ketones | A | - | - | A | A | B | A |
| Lacquer Thinners | B | C | A | A | A | A | C |
| Lacquers | C | C | - | A | A | A | - |
| Lactic Acid | D | D | D | B | B | B | A |
| Lard | C | A | - | - | A | A | A |
| Latex | - | - | - | - | - | A | - |
| Lead Acetate | D | A | - | - | B | D | A |
| Lead Nitrate | - | - | - | - | B | D | - |
| Lead Sulfamate | - | - | - | - | - | C | - |
| Ligroin | - | - | - | - | - | D | - |
| Lime | B | A | - | - | - | A | A |
| Fluid | Carbon Steel | Cast Iron | Brass | Copper | Bronze | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Linoleic Acid | - | - | - | D | - | A | - |
| Lithium Chloride | - | A | - | - | A | D | - |
| Lithium Hydroxide | - | - | - | - | B | D | - |
| Lubricants | - | A | - | A | A | A | A |
| Lye: Ca(OH)2 Calcium Hydroxide | - | A | - | - | D | C | A |
| Lye: KOH Potassium Hydroxide | - | B | D | B | D | D | D |
| Lye: NaOH Sodium Hydroxide | - | D | D | B | D | D | B |
| Magnesium Bisulfate | - | - | - | - | A | D | - |
| Magnesium Carbonate | - | - | - | A | A | A | A |
| Magnesium Chloride | D | D | D | A | B | D | A |
| Magnesium Hydroxide | B | A | D | B | B | C | A |
| Magnesium Nitrate | B | D | - | B | A | B | A |
| Magnesium Oxide | - | A | - | - | - | B | - |
| Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts) | B | A | A | A | A | B | A |
| Maleic Acid | B | A | - | - | B | B | A |
| Maleic Anhydride | - | - | - | - | - | A | - |
| Malic Acid | - | - | B | D | B | B | A |
| Manganese Sulfate | C | A | D | B | A | B | A |
| Mash | - | - | - | - | - | A | - |
| Mayonnaise | D | D | - | B | - | A | - |
| Melamine | - | D | - | - | - | - | - |
| Mercuric Chloride (dilute) | D | D | D | D | D | D | A |
| Mercuric Cyanide | D | C | - | D | D | D | A |
| Mercurous Nitrate | - | - | - | - | - | D | A |
| Mercury | A | A | D | D | A | D | A |
| Methane | - | - | - | - | A | A | - |
| Methanol (Methyl Alcohol) | - | A | A | B | A | A | B |
| Methyl Acetate | - | A | - | B | A | A | - |
| Methyl Acetone | A | A | A | - | A | A | - |
| Methyl Acrylate | - | A | - | - | - | - | - |
| Methyl Alcohol 10% | B | A | A | A | A | A | B |
| Methyl Bromide | - | A | - | B | - | D | - |
| Methyl Butyl Ketone | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Methyl Cellosolve | - | C | A | B | A | B | - |
| Fluid | Carbon Steel | Cast Iron | Brass | Copper | Bronze | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Methyl Chloride | - | D | A | - | B | D | A |
| Methyl Dichloride | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone | - | A | A | A | A | B | A |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Methyl Isobutyl Ketone | - | C | - | B | A | B | A |
| Methyl Isopropyl Ketone | - | C | - | A | A | A | - |
| Methyl Methacrylate | - | C | - | - | - | - | - |
| Methylamine | B | A | D | - | A | A | - |
| Methylene Chloride | B | B | A | B | B | C | B |
| Milk | D | D | D | D | A | A | A |
| Mineral Spirits | - | B | - | - | A | A | B |
| Molasses | A | B | B | A | A | A | A |
| Monochloroacetic acid | - | D | B | D | B | D | A |
| Monoethanolamine | - | A | - | D | A | B | B |
| Morpholine | - | - | - | - | - | A | - |
| Motor oil | A | - | - | - | A | A | A |
| Mustard | B | D | - | - | A | B | A |
| Naphtha | A | B | A | A | A | A | B |
| Naphthalene | A | A | - | - | A | B | A |
| Natural Gas | - | A | - | - | A | A | - |
| Nickel Chloride | D | D | D | - | B | D | A |
| Nickel Nitrate | - | C | - | - | A | D | - |
| Nickel Sulfate | D | D | D | - | B | D | B |
| Nitrating Acid (<15% HNO3) | - | C | - | - | - | D | C |
| Nitrating Acid (>15% H2SO4) | - | C | - | - | - | D | C |
| Nitrating Acid (S1% Acid) | - | - | - | - | - | D | - |
| Nitrating Acid (S15% H2SO4) | - | A | - | - | - | D | A |
| Nitric Acid (20%) | D | D | D | D | A | D | A |
| Nitric Acid (50%) | D | D | D | D | A | D | A |
| Nitric Acid (5-10%) | D | D | D | D | A | A | A |
| Nitric Acid (Concentrated) | D | D | D | D | A | D | A |
| Nitrobenzene | A | C | - | B | A | B | A |
| Nitrogen Fertilizer | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Nitromethane | - | - | - | A | - | A | - |
| Fluid | Carbon Steel | Cast Iron | Brass | Copper | Bronze | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Nitrous Acid | - | - | D | C | B | D | - |
| Nitrous Oxide | - | - | B | B | D | B | - |
| Oils:Aniline | - | A | D | D | A | D | D |
| Oils:Anise | - | A | - | - | A | - | - |
| Oils:Bay | - | A | - | - | A | - | - |
| Oils:Bone | - | A | - | - | A | - | - |
| Oils:Castor | - | A | A | A | - | A | A |
| Oils:Cinnamon | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Oils:Citric | - | D | B | - | - | A | - |
| Oils:Clove | - | - | - | - | - | B | - |
| Oils:Coconut | - | A | - | - | - | A | - |
| Oils:Cod Liver | - | - | - | - | - | A | - |
| Oils:Corn | - | A | - | B | - | A | - |
| Oils:Cottonseed | C | A | A | A | - | A | A |
| Oils:Creosote | - | - | - | - | A | B | A |
| Oils:Diesel Fuel (20, 30, 40, 50) | - | A | - | - | A | A | B |
| Oils:Fuel (1, 2, 3, 5A, 5B, 6) | - | A | B | A | A | C | B |
| Oils:Ginger | - | - | - | - | D | - | - |
| Oils:Hydraulic Oil (Petro) | - | A | A | A | A | A | - |
| Oils:Hydraulic Oil (Synthetic) | - | - | A | A | A | A | - |
| Oils:Lemon | - | - | - | - | A | A | - |
| Oils:Linseed | - | - | B | B | A | B | A |
| Oils:Mineral | B | - | A | B | A | A | A |
| Oils:Olive | B | - | - | - | A | A | A |
| Oils:Orange | - | - | - | - | A | A | A |
| Oils:Palm | - | A | - | A | A | - | A |
| Oils:Peanut | - | A | - | A | A | A | A |
| Oils:Peppermint | - | - | - | - | A | D | - |
| Oils:Pine | B | C | - | - | A | A | A |
| Oils:Rapeseed | - | A | - | - | A | - | A |
| Oils:Rosin | - | - | - | B | B | B | - |
| Oils:Sesame Seed | - | A | - | - | A | - | A |
| Oils:Silicone | - | A | - | A | A | A | - |
| Oils:Soybean | - | A | - | - | A | A | A |
| Fluid | Carbon Steel | Cast Iron | Brass | Copper | Bronze | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Oils:Sperm (whale) | - | A | - | - | A | - | A |
| Oils:Tanning | - | - | - | - | A | - | - |
| Oils:Transformer | - | - | - | A | - | A | - |
| Oils:Turbine | - | A | - | A | A | A | A |
| Oleic Acid | C | - | D | A | B | A | B |
| Oleum 100% | B | - | - | - | D | B | D |
| Oleum 25% | - | - | - | - | B | B | D |
| Oxalic Acid (cold) | D | C | D | B | B | A | A |
| Ozone | - | - | - | A | B | B | - |
| Palmitic Acid | - | - | D | B | A | B | - |
| Paraffin | B | - | A | B | A | A | A |
| Pentane | B | - | - | - | C | B | - |
| Perchloric Acid | - | - | - | D | B | D | D |
| Perchloroethylene | B | A | - | B | B | C | A |
| Petrolatum | C | - | - | - | A | - | - |
| Petroleum | B | - | - | B | A | D | A |
| Phenol (10%) | C | D | - | B | B | A | B |
| Phenol (Carbolic Acid) | D | D | D | D | B | A | A |
| Phosphoric Acid (>40%) | D | D | D | D | B | C | C |
| Phosphoric Acid (crude) | D | D | - | D | B | C | C |
| Phosphoric Acid (molten) | D | - | - | D | - | C | D |
| Phosphoric Acid (<40%) | D | D | D | D | B | C | C |
| Phosphoric Acid Anhydride | - | - | - | - | - | C | D |
| Phosphorus | - | - | - | B | A | B | - |
| Phosphorus Trichloride | - | - | - | D | - | D | A |
| Photographic Developer | - | D | - | D | A | - | A |
| Photographic Solutions | - | - | - | D | A | - | A |
| Phthalic Acid | - | - | C | B | B | A | |
| Phthalic Anhydride | - | - | - | C | A | A | - |
| Picric Acid | D | A | - | D | B | C | A |
| Plating Solutions, Antimony Plating 54 oC | - | A | - | - | A | A | A |
| Plating Solutions, Arsenic Plating 43 oC | - | A | - | - | A | A | A |
| Plating Solutions, Brass Plating: High-Speed Brass Bath 43 oc | - | A | - | - | - | A | A |
| Plating Solutions, Brass Plating: Regular Brass Bath 38 oc | - | A | - | - | A | A | A |
| Fluid | Carbon Steel | Cast Iron | Brass | Copper | Bronze | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Plating Solutions, Bronze Plating: Cu-Cd Bronze Bath R.T. | - | A | - | - | - | A | A |
| Plating Solutions, Bronze Plating: Cu-Sn Bronze Bath 71 oC | - | A | - | - | - | A | D |
| Plating Solutions, Bronze Plating: Cu-Zn Bronze Bath 38 oC | - | A | - | - | - | A | A |
| Plating Solutions, Cadmium Plating: Cyanide Bath 32 oC | - | A | - | - | - | A | A |
| Plating Solutions, Cadmium Plating: Fluoborate Bath 38 oC | - | D | - | - | - | A | D |
| Plating Solutions, Chromium Plating: Barrel Chrome Bath 35 oC | - | C | - | - | - | A | C |
| Plating Solutions, Chromium Plating: Black Chrome Bath 46 oC | - | A | - | - | - | A | A |
| Plating Solutions, Chromium Plating: Chromic-Sulfuric Bath 54 oC | - | A | - | - | - | A | A |
| Plating Solutions, Chromium Plating: Fluoride Bath 54 oC | - | C | - | - | - | A | C |
| Plating Solutions, Chromium Plating: Fluosilicate Bath 35 oC | - | C | - | - | - | A | C |
| Plating Solutions, Copper Plating (Acid): Copper Fluoborate Bath 50 oC | - | D | - | - | - | A | D |
| Plating Solutions, Copper Plating (Acid): Copper Sulfate Bath R.T. | - | A | - | - | - | A | A |
| Plating Solutions, Copper Plating (Cyanide): Copper Strike Bath 50 oC | - | A | - | - | - | - | - |
| Plating Solutions, Copper Plating (Cyanide): High-Speed Bath 82 oC | - | A | - | - | - | A | D |
| Plating Solutions, Copper Plating (Cyanide): Rochelle Salt Bath 65 oC | - | A | - | - | - | A | D |
| Plating Solutions, Copper Plating (Misc): Copper (Electroless) | - | - | - | - | - | A | A |
| Plating Solutions, Copper Plating (Misc): Copper Pyrophosphate | - | A | - | - | - | A | A |
| Plating Solutions, Gold Plating: Acid 25 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | A |
| Plating Solutions, Gold Plating: Cyanide 65 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | A |
| Plating Solutions, Gold Plating: Neutral 25 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | A |
| Plating Solutions, Indium Sulfamate Plating R.T. | - | - | - | - | - | - | A |
| Plating Solutions, Iron Plating: Ferrous Am Sulfate Bath 65 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | A |
| Plating Solutions, Iron Plating: Ferrous Chloride Bath 90 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | A |
| Plating Solutions, Iron Plating: Ferrous Sulfate Bath 66 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | A |
| Plating Solutions, Iron Plating: Fluoborate Bath 65 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | D |
| Plating Solutions, Iron Plating: Sulfamate 60 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | A |
| Plating Solutions, Iron Plating: Sulfate-Chloride Bath 70 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | A |
| Plating Solutions, Lead Fluoborate Plating | - | - | - | - | - | - | D |
| Plating Solutions, Nickel Plating: Electroless 95 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Plating Solutions, Nickel Plating: Fluoborate 40-75 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | D |
| Plating Solutions, Nickel Plating: High-Chloride 55-70 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | A |
| Plating Solutions, Nickel Plating: Sulfamate 40-60 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | A |
| Plating Solutions, Nickel Plating: Watts Type 45-70 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | A |
| Plating Solutions, Rhodium Plating 50 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | D |
| Fluid | Carbon Steel | Cast Iron | Brass | Copper | Bronze | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Plating Solutions, Silver Plating 30-50 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | A |
| Plating Solutions, Tin-Fluoborate Plating 40 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | D |
| Plating Solutions, Tin-Lead Plating 40 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | D |
| Plating Solutions, Zinc Plating: Acid Chloride 60 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | A |
| Plating Solutions, Zinc Plating: Acid Fluoborate Bath R.T. | - | - | - | - | - | - | D |
| Plating Solutions, Zinc Plating: Acid Sulfate Bath 65 oC | - | - | - | - | - | - | A |
| Plating Solutions, Zinc Plating: Alkaline Cyanide Bath R.T. | - | - | - | - | - | - | A |
| Potash (Potassium Carbonate) | - | C | - | B | B | D | A |
| Potassium Bicarbonate | - | A | - | B | B | D | A |
| Potassium Bromide | D | D | - | B | B | C | A |
| Potassium Chlorate | B | C | - | B | B | B | A |
| Potassium Chloride | B | A | D | B | B | D | A |
| Potassium Chromate | - | A | - | - | B | B | - |
| Potassium Cyanide Solutions | B | B | D | D | D | D | A |
| Potassium Dichromate | C | A | - | B | B | B | A |
| Potassium Ferricyanide | - | C | - | B | B | B | A |
| Potassium Ferrocyanide | C | C | - | B | B | B | A |
| Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash) | A | B | D | B | D | D | D |
| Potassium Hypochlorite | - | A | - | D | D | D | A |
| Potassium Iodide | - | A | - | A | A | B | A |
| Potassium Nitrate | B | A | B | A | B | B | A |
| Potassium Oxalate | - | A | - | B | A | B | A |
| Potassium Permanganate | B | A | - | A | A | B | A |
| Potassium Sulfate | B | A | D | B | A | C | A |
| Potassium Sulfide | B | B | - | D | D | D | A |
| Propane (liquefied) | B | A | A | A | A | A | - |
| Propylene | B | A | - | A | - | A | - |
| Propylene Glycol | B | A | - | A | A | B | A |
| Pyridine | A | A | B | B | B | B | B |
| Pyrogallic Acid | C | D | - | B | A | B | A |
| Resorcinal | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Rosins | C | D | - | B | B | B | - |
| Rum | - | - | - | - | A | - | - |
| Rust Inhibitors | - | C | - | - | A | - | - |
| Fluid | Carbon Steel | Cast Iron | Brass | Copper | Bronze | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Salad Dressings | - | D | - | - | - | B | - |
| Salicylic Acid | - | A | - | A | A | B | A |
| Salt Brine (NaCl saturated) | D | D | - | B | B | B | A |
| Sea Water | D | D | D | B | A | B | A |
| Shellac (Bleached) | A | A | B | A | A | A | - |
| Shellac (Orange) | A | A | B | A | A | A | - |
| Silicone | - | A | - | A | - | A | - |
| Silver Bromide | D | D | - | - | D | D | - |
| Silver Nitrate | D | C | - | - | B | D | A |
| Soap Solutions | A | A | B | A | B | C | A |
| Soda Ash (see Sodium Carbonate) | - | B | - | - | B | D | - |
| Sodium Acetate | C | B | B | A | B | B | A |
| Sodium Aluminate | C | A | - | - | A | - | A |
| Sodium Benzoate | - | - | - | - | A | A | A |
| Sodium Bicarbonate | C | C | D | B | A | D | A |
| Sodium Bisulfate | D | D | D | B | A | D | A |
| Sodium Bisulfite | - | D | - | B | B | D | A |
| Sodium Borate (Borax) | C | - | - | B | A | C | B |
| Sodium Bromide | B | C | - | D | A | D | A |
| Sodium Carbonate | C | B | B | A | A | D | A |
| Sodium Chlorate | D | - | - | B | B | C | A |
| Sodium Chloride | C | D | D | B | B | C | A |
| Sodium Chromate | B | A | - | B | B | B | - |
| Sodium Cyanide | A | A | D | D | D | D | A |
| Sodium Ferrocyanide | - | - | - | D | - | A | - |
| Sodium Fluoride | D | C | - | D | A | B | A |
| Sodium Hydrosulfite | - | - | - | - | - | A | - |
| Sodium Hydroxide (20%) | B | A | B | A | B | D | A |
| Sodium Hydroxide (50%) | C | D | D | B | C | D | B |
| Sodium Hydroxide (80%) | D | D | D | D | C | D | D |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (<20%) | D | D | D | - | C | D | C |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (100%) | D | D | D | - | C | D | C |
| Sodium Hyposulfate | - | D | - | - | - | D | - |
| Sodium Metaphosphate | B | C | D | B | A | C | - |
| Fluid | Carbon Steel | Cast Iron | Brass | Copper | Bronze | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Sodium Metasilicate | C | A | - | B | A | D | - |
| Sodium Nitrate | B | B | - | D | B | B | A |
| Sodium Perborate | B | C | D | B | B | C | - |
| Sodium Peroxide | C | C | D | B | A | C | - |
| Sodium Polyphosphate | - | D | D | A | B | D | A |
| Sodium Silicate | B | B | D | B | B | A | A |
| Sodium Sulfate | B | B | B | B | B | A | A |
| Sodium Sulfide | B | C | D | D | B | D | A |
| Sodium Sulfite | - | A | D | D | B | C | A |
| Sodium Tetraborate | - | - | - | B | A | C | - |
| Sodium Thiosulfate (hypo) | B | C | D | D | A | A | A |
| Sorghum | - | A | - | - | A | - | - |
| Soy Sauce | - | D | - | - | A | A | - |
| Stannic Chloride | D | D | - | - | A | D | A |
| Stannic Fluoborate | - | D | - | - | - | - | - |
| Stannous Chloride | D | - | - | - | A | D | A |
| Starch | C | C | - | - | - | A | - |
| Stearic Acid | C | C | D | D | B | B | A |
| Stoddard Solvent | B | A | - | A | A | A | A |
| Styrene | A | A | A | B | A | A | - |
| Sugar (Liquids) | B | - | - | A | A | A | - |
| Sulfate (Liquors) | - | C | - | D | B | D | - |
| Sulfur Chloride | - | D | D | B | B | D | D |
| Sulfur Dioxide | - | - | D | B | B | B | A |
| Sulfur Dioxide (dry) | B | A | D | A | B | B | A |
| Sulfur Hexafluoride | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Sulfur Trioxide | - | B | D | - | C | A | - |
| Sulfur Trioxide (dry) | B | A | A | B | B | A | D |
| Sulfuric Acid (<10%) | D | C | - | - | B | D | D |
| Sulfuric Acid (10-75%) | D | D | - | - | B | D | D |
| Sulfuric Acid (75-100%) | - | D | - | D | B | D | D |
| Sulfuric Acid (cold concentrated) | C | D | - | - | B | B | D |
| Sulfuric Acid (hot concentrated) | D | D | - | - | B | D | D |
| Sulfurous Acid | D | D | - | D | B | B | A |
| Fluid | Carbon Steel | Cast Iron | Brass | Copper | Bronze | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Sulfuryl Chloride | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Tallow | - | - | - | - | - | A | - |
| Tannic Acid | C | C | B | A | B | C | A |
| Tanning Liquors | - | - | - | - | A | A | A |
| Tartaric Acid | D | C | D | A | B | B | A |
| Tetrachloroethane | - | A | - | A | - | C | A |
| Tetrachloroethylene | - | A | - | A | - | - | - |
| Tetrahydrofuran | A | - | - | - | A | - | B |
| Tin Salts | - | - | - | - | - | D | A |
| Toluene (Toluol) | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Tomato Juice | C | - | - | - | A | A | - |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | - | D | - | D | - | D | D |
| Trichloroethane | B | B | - | - | A | D | A |
| Trichloroethylene | - | C | - | A | B | D | A |
| Trichloropropane | - | A | - | A | A | D | - |
| Tricresylphosphate | - | B | - | B | A | D | B |
| Triethylamine | - | A | - | A | - | - | - |
| Trisodium Phosphate | - | - | - | B | A | D | - |
| Turpentine | B | - | D | B | A | A | B |
| Urea | - | - | - | - | B | B | A |
| Uric Acid | - | D | - | A | B | D | A |
| Urine | - | A | - | - | A | B | - |
| Varnish | - | C | A | B | - | A | - |
| Vegetable Juice | - | D | A | A | A | D | - |
| Vinegar | D | D | D | B | A | D | A |
| Vinyl Acetate | - | B | - | B | - | A | - |
| Vinyl Chloride | - | B | - | B | A | B | A |
| Water, Acid, Mine | - | D | D | D | A | D | A |
| Water, Deionized | - | D | A | B | - | A | A |
| Water, Distilled | - | D | A | B | A | A | A |
| Water, Fresh | D | D | B | B | A | B | A |
| Water, Salt | - | D | D | B | A | B | A |
| Weed Killers | - | - | - | - | - | D | - |
| Whey | - | - | - | - | - | B | - |
| Fluid | Carbon Steel | Cast Iron | Brass | Copper | Bronze | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Whiskey & Wines | D | D | B | B | A | C | A |
| White Liquor (Pulp Mill) | - | C | B | - | A | B | - |
| White Water (Paper Mill) | - | A | - | - | - | - | - |
| Xylene | B | B | A | A | A | A | A |
| Zinc Chloride | D | D | D | C | B | D | A |
| Zinc Hydrosulfite | - | D | - | B | - | D | - |
| Zinc Sulfate | D | D | B | B | B | D | A |
| Fluid | Carbon Steel | Cast Iron | Brass | Copper | Bronze | Aluminium | Titanium |
Find the chemical or fluid in the first column and then read across the row to compare the corrosion resistance ratings for each metal. The table can be used as an initial screening tool to identify materials that may be suitable or unsuitable for a particular chemical environment.
The ratings provide an approximate indication of corrosion resistance. A indicates excellent resistance, B indicates acceptable resistance with minor attack, C indicates medium corrosion attack, and D indicates severe attack. A dash indicates that information is not available in the table.
No. The table should be used for preliminary material selection and comparison only. Final material selection should consider the exact alloy or grade, chemical concentration, temperature, pressure, flow conditions, contamination, aeration and other operating conditions.
Yes. The corrosion behaviour of a metal can change significantly with chemical concentration. A material that performs well in a dilute solution may behave differently at a higher concentration, so the actual concentration should always be considered during final material selection.
Yes. Increasing temperature can significantly change corrosion rates and chemical compatibility. Unless otherwise stated, the ratings in this table relate to fluids at approximately 21°C (70°F), so they should not automatically be applied to higher or lower operating temperatures.
The table compares the approximate chemical resistance of carbon steel, cast iron, brass, copper, bronze, aluminium and titanium against a wide range of chemicals and fluids.