Roymech engineering encyclopedia

Chemical Resistance of Plastics




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The chemical resistance of a plastic is an important consideration when selecting materials for pipes, tanks, valves, seals, linings and other components that may come into contact with chemicals or process fluids.

This table provides a quick comparison of the approximate chemical resistance of ABS, Acetal (Delrin), PVC, PVDF, Nylon, PTFE and Polycarbonate against a wide range of chemicals and fluids. It can be used as a preliminary engineering guide when comparing candidate plastic materials for chemical service.

How to Use the Plastic Chemical Resistance Table

Find the chemical or fluid in the first column and then read across the row to compare the resistance ratings for each plastic. The ratings provide a quick indication of which materials may be suitable for further consideration.

  • A – Excellent: excellent resistance to the chemical
  • B – Good: good resistance to the chemical
  • C – Fair: limited resistance; suitability should be checked carefully
  • D – Poor: no useful resistance or severe chemical attack
  • N/A: resistance data is not available in this table

Important Design Considerations

Chemical compatibility can be affected by temperature, chemical concentration, exposure time, mechanical stress and the particular grade or formulation of the plastic. A material shown as resistant under one set of conditions may therefore be unsuitable under different operating conditions.

Important: The ratings in this table are approximate and are intended for preliminary material selection only. The table generally relates to fluids at approximately 21°C unless otherwise stated. For critical applications, confirm compatibility using manufacturer data or an appropriate specialist material reference before specifying the material.

Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
Acetaldehyde D A D D A A C
 Acetamide N/A A D C A A D
 Acetate Solvent N/A N/A D A A A N/A
 Acetic Acid D D D C D A B
 Acetic Acid 20% C C D A D A A
 Acetic Acid 80% D D C C D A B
 Acetic Acid, Glacial D D D A B A B
 Acetic Anhydride C D D B A A D
 Acetone D A D D A A D
 Acetyl Bromide N/A N/A D N/A D A N/A
 Acetyl Chloride (dry) D D C A B A D
 Acetylene N/A A A A A A D
 Acrylonitrile D N/A B A A A D
 Adipic Acid N/A N/A A A N/A A N/A
 Alcohols:Amyl A A A A A A B
 Alcohols:Benzyl D A D A B A N/A
 Alcohols:Butyl A A A A D A A
 Alcohols:Diacetone N/A A B A A A N/A
 Alcohols:Ethyl B A C N/A A A B
 Alcohols:Hexyl N/A A A N/A A A N/A
 Alcohols:Isobutyl B A A N/A A A N/A
 Alcohols:Isopropyl N/A A A N/A D A A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Alcohols:Methyl D A A A B A B
 Alcohols:Octyl A A N/A N/A A N/A N/A
 Alcohols:Propyl B A A A D A N/A
 Aluminum Chloride A N/A A A B A A
 Aluminum Chloride 20% N/A C A A D A A
 Aluminum Fluoride A C A A A A N/A
 Aluminum Hydroxide B A A A A A B
 Aluminum Nitrate N/A B B A A A A
 Aluminum Potassium Sulfate 10% N/A C A B D A A
 Aluminum Potassium Sulfate 100% N/A C A N/A D A A
 Aluminum Sulfate A B A A A A A
 Alums N/A N/A N/A N/A A A N/A
 Amines N/A D D N/A D A D
 Ammonia 10% N/A D B A A A D
 Ammonia Nitrate N/A C B A D A N/A
 Ammonia, anhydrous D D A A A A D
 Ammonia, liquid N/A D A A B A D
 Ammonium Acetate N/A N/A A N/A A A N/A
 Ammonium Bifluoride A D A A N/A A N/A
 Ammonium Carbonate A D A A A A N/A
 Ammonium Caseinate N/A D N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
 Alcohols:Isopropyl N/A A A N/A D A A
 Ammonium Chloride A B A A B A A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Ammonium Hydroxide B C A A A A D
 Ammonium Nitrate N/A A A A A A N/A
 Ammonium Oxalate N/A B A N/A N/A N/A A
 Ammonium Persulfate A D A A D A N/A
 Ammonium Phosphate, Dibasic A B A A C A A
 Ammonium Phosphate, Monobasic N/A B A N/A B A N/A
 Ammonium Phosphate, Tribasic N/A B A N/A B A N/A
 Ammonium Sulfate A B A A A A A
 Ammonium Sulfite N/A D A N/A A A N/A
 Ammonium Thiosulfate N/A B N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
 Amyl Acetate D B D A B A D
 Amyl Alcohol A A A A A A B
 Amyl Chloride D A D A C A N/A
 Aniline D A C A A A D
 Aniline Hydrochloride D N/A B A D A D
 Antifreeze B D A N/A D N/A N/A
 Antimony Trichloride A N/A A A D A A
 Aqua Regia (80% HCl, 20% HNO3) D D C A D A D
 Arochlor 1248 N/A N/A N/A N/A A A N/A
 Aromatic Hydrocarbons N/A A D N/A N/A N/A N/A
 Arsenic Acid A D A A C A A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Arsenic Salts N/A N/A A N/A A N/A N/A
 Asphalt N/A B A A A A D
 Barium Carbonate A A A A A A A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Barium Chloride A A A A A A A
 Barium Cyanide N/A B D N/A A A N/A
 Barium Hydroxide A D A A A A D
 Barium Nitrate N/A B A N/A A A D
 Barium Sulfate A B B A A A D
 Barium Sulfide A A A A A A N/A
 Beer A A A A A A A
 Beet Sugar Liquids B B A A A A N/A
 Benzaldehyde B A D A A A D
 Benzene D A C A A A D
 Benzene Sulfonic Acid N/A N/A A N/A D A D
 Benzoic Acid N/A B A A D A B
 Benzol D A N/A A D A D
 Benzonitrile N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A A A
 Benzyl Chloride D A N/A N/A A N/A N/A
 Bleaching Liquors N/A N/A A N/A C A N/A
 Borax (Sodium Borate) N/A B A A A A N/A
 Boric Acid N/A A A A B A N/A
 Brewery Slop N/A B N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
 Bromine D D C A D A C
 Butadiene N/A A C A C A D
 Butane B A C A A A D
 Butanol (Butyl Alcohol) N/A A C A B A B
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Butter B A N/A N/A N/A A N/A
 Buttermilk B A A N/A B A A
 Butyl Amine N/A C D A A A D
 Butyl Ether N/A D A A A A N/A
 Butyl Phthalate N/A N/A N/A B A A D
 Butylacetate N/A A D B A A D
 Butylene N/A A A A B A D
 Butyric Acid D A B A C A D
 Calcium Bisulfate N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A D
 Calcium Bisulfide N/A D A A A A N/A
 Calcium Bisulfite N/A D B A A A D
 Calcium Carbonate N/A A A A A A C
 Calcium Chlorate N/A A B A N/A A N/A
 Calcium Chloride B D C A A A N/A
 Calcium Hydroxide N/A D B A A A D
 Calcium Hypochlorite N/A D B A D A D
 Calcium Nitrate A D A A A A A
 Calcium Oxide D A B A B A N/A
 Calcium Sulfate C D B A D A A
 Calgon N/A A N/A N/A A N/A N/A
 Cane Juice N/A A A A A A N/A
 Carbolic Acid (Phenol) D D D A D A D
 Carbon Bisulfide N/A A D N/A A N/A N/A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Carbon Dioxide (dry) B A A A A A N/A
 Carbon Dioxide (wet) B A A A A A N/A
 Carbon Disulfide N/A A D B B A D
 Carbon Monoxide N/A A A B A A N/A
 Carbon Tetrachloride D B D A D A D
 Carbon Tetrachloride (dry) D N/A N/A A N/A A N/A
 Carbon Tetrachloride (wet) D A N/A A N/A A N/A
 Carbonated Water N/A A A N/A A N/A N/A
 Carbonic Acid N/A B A A A A A
 Catsup B B A N/A A N/A N/A
 Chloric Acid N/A D A N/A D A N/A
 Chlorinated Glue N/A D N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
 Chlorine (dry) N/A D D A D A N/A
 Chlorine Water N/A D A B C A N/A
 Chlorine, Anhydrous Liquid N/A A D A D A C
 Chloroacetic Acid N/A D B A D A D
 Chlorobenzene (Mono) D D D A D B D
 Chlorobromomethane N/A N/A D N/A C A N/A
 Chloroform D A D A A A D
 Chlorosulfonic Acid N/A D D D D A C
 Chocolate Syrup N/A A N/A N/A A A A
 Chromic Acid 10% B D A A D A B
 Chromic Acid 30% B D A A D A C
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Chromic Acid 5% B D A A D A B
 Chromic Acid 50% D D D A D A D
 Chromium Salts N/A N/A A N/A B N/A N/A
 Cider N/A A A N/A A N/A A
 Citric Acid D B B A A A A
 Citric Oils N/A B N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
 Cloroxr (Bleach) B D A A A A N/A
 Coffee N/A A N/A N/A A N/A N/A
 Copper Chloride A A A A D A N/A
 Copper Cyanide N/A A A A D A D
 Copper Fluoborate N/A B A N/A N/A N/A N/A
 Copper Nitrate N/A A A A D A D
 Copper Sulfate >5% N/A D A A D A A
 Copper Sulfate 5% N/A D A A D A A
 Cream N/A A N/A N/A A A N/A
 Cresols D D D A D N/A D
 Cresylic Acid N/A D D B D A D
 Cupric Acid N/A N/A A N/A D A A
 Cyanic Acid N/A D N/A N/A N/A A N/A
 Cyclohexane N/A A D A A A B
 Cyclohexanone D A D D A A D
 Detergents B A A A A A A
 Diacetone Alcohol N/A N/A D D A A D
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Dichlorobenzene D N/A D A D A D
 Dichloroethane D A D A A A D
 Diesel Fuel N/A A A A A A A
 Diethyl Ether D N/A D A A A D
 Diethylamine D B D D A D D
 Diethylene Glycol B A C A A A B
 Dimethyl Aniline D D D A A A D
 Dimethyl Formamide D D D D A A D
 Diphenyl N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A A N/A
 Diphenyl Oxide N/A D D B N/A A N/A
 Dyes N/A C B N/A A N/A N/A
 Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulfate) B B A A A A A
 Ethane N/A A A A D A N/A
 Ethanol B A C N/A A A B
 Ethanolamine N/A D D C A A N/A
 Ether D A D B A A N/A
 Ethyl Acetate D A D D A A D
 Ethyl Benzoate D N/A D D N/A A D
 Ethyl Chloride D A D A A A D
 Ethyl Ether D A D A A A N/A
 Ethyl Sulfate N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A A N/A
 Ethylene Bromide D N/A D A N/A A D
 Ethylene Chloride D A D A A A D
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Ethylene Chlorohydrin D D D A D A D
 Ethylene Diamine D D D B D A A
 Ethylene Dichloride D B D A A A D
 Ethylene Glycol A B A A A A B
 Ethylene Oxide D D D A A A C
 Fatty Acids A A A A A A B
 Ferric Chloride A D A A A A A
 Ferric Nitrate A D A A A A A
 Ferric Sulfate A D A A A A A
 Ferrous Chloride A D A A D A D
 Ferrous Sulfate A D A A D A A
 Fluoboric Acid A A A A D A N/A
 Fluorine A D D A D D C
 Fluosilicic Acid A A D A D A A
 Formaldehyde 100% B A A A D A A
 Formaldehyde 40% A A A A A A A
 Formic Acid D A A A D A A
 Freon 113 N/A A B B N/A A B
 Freon 12 A B A A A A N/A
 Freon 22 N/A A A A B A N/A
 Freon TF N/A A B B D A N/A
 Freonr 11 D D A A D A N/A
 Fruit Juice B D A A A A N/A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Fuel Oils D A A B A B B
 Furan Resin N/A D A D N/A A N/A
 Furfural D A D B B A D
 Gallic Acid N/A N/A B A A B N/A
 Gasoline (high-aromatic) D B A A A B A
 Gasoline, leaded, ref. D A B A A A A
 Gasoline, unleaded D A C A A A A
 Gelatin N/A B B A A A N/A
 Glucose B A A A A A A
 Glue, P.V.A. N/A A C N/A A A N/A
 Glycerin C A A A A A A
 Glycolic Acid B A B B N/A A N/A
 Gold Monocyanide N/A A N/A A N/A D N/A
 Grape Juice B A A A A A N/A
 Grease N/A D A A N/A A N/A
 Heptane D A C A A A B
 Hexane D A B A B A D
 Honey N/A A A A A A A
 Hydraulic Oil (Petro) N/A B A A A A N/A
 Hydraulic Oil (Synthetic) N/A N/A A A A A N/A
 Hydrazine N/A B N/A A N/A A D
 Hydrobromic Acid 100% B D A A D A N/A
 Hydrobromic Acid 20% N/A C B A D N/A N/A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Hydrochloric Acid 100% A C D A D A D
 Hydrochloric Acid 20% A C A A D A B
 Hydrochloric Acid 37% A C B A D A D
 Hydrochloric Acid, Dry Gas N/A N/A A A A A N/A
 Hydrocyanic Acid B B B A B A N/A
 Hydrocyanic Acid (Gas 10%) N/A C A N/A N/A A B
 Hydrofluoric Acid 100% D D C A D A D
 Hydrofluoric Acid 20% C D B A C A D
 Hydrofluoric Acid 50% C D B A D A D
 Hydrofluoric Acid 75% C D C A D A D
 Hydrofluosilicic Acid 100% N/A A B A D A N/A
 Hydrofluosilicic Acid 20% N/A B A A D A N/A
 Hydrogen Gas N/A N/A A A A A A
 Hydrogen Peroxide 10% A D A A C A A
 Hydrogen Peroxide 100% A D A A D A A
 Hydrogen Peroxide 30% N/A D A A D A A
 Hydrogen Peroxide 50% N/A D A A D A A
 Hydrogen Sulfide (aqua) B C B A C A A
 Hydrogen Sulfide (dry) N/A N/A A A C A N/A
 Hydroquinone D A B N/A D A N/A
 Hydroxyacetic Acid 70% N/A A D A N/A A N/A
 Ink A B C A C A N/A
 Iodine D D A A A A N/A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Iodine (in alcohol) N/A D A A C N/A N/A
 Iodoform N/A N/A A C N/A C N/A
 Isooctane N/A N/A A A A A B
 Isopropyl Acetate N/A D D D B A D
 Isopropyl Ether N/A D B D A A D
 Isotane N/A N/A A A D N/A N/A
 Jet Fuel (JP3, JP4, JP5) N/A A C B C A A
 Kerosene D A A A A A D
 Ketones A D D C A A D
 Lacquer Thinners A D D N/A A A B
 Lacquers A D D D A A D
 Lactic Acid D B B B B A B
 Lard N/A A A A A A A
 Latex B B N/A A A A N/A
 Lead Acetate B B B A A A N/A
 Lead Nitrate B N/A A A N/A A N/A
 Lead Sulfamate N/A A B A B B A
 Ligroin N/A B N/A A D A N/A
 Lime N/A B B A A A N/A
 Linoleic Acid A B A A N/A A N/A
 Lithium Chloride N/A A D A N/A A B
 Lithium Hydroxide N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A A D
 Lubricants N/A A B A A A A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Lye: Ca(OH)2 Calcium Hydroxide N/A D B A A A D
 Lye: KOH Potassium Hydroxide A A B A C A D
 Lye: NaOH Sodium Hydroxide C C A D A A D
 Magnesium Bisulfate N/A N/A A N/A A A A
 Magnesium Carbonate B A B A N/A A A
 Magnesium Chloride B B B A A A A
 Magnesium Hydroxide B A A A B A A
 Magnesium Nitrate B A A A A A A
 Magnesium Oxide N/A A N/A N/A N/A A N/A
 Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts) B B A A A A A
 Maleic Acid N/A A A A A A N/A
 Maleic Anhydride N/A D N/A A N/A A N/A
 Malic Acid N/A A A A A A N/A
 Manganese Sulfate B A C A A A A
 Mash N/A A N/A N/A A N/A N/A
 Mayonnaise N/A A D A A A N/A
 Melamine N/A A D N/A A A N/A
 Mercuric Chloride (dilute) B B A A D A A
 Mercuric Cyanide B N/A A A A B N/A
 Mercurous Nitrate C N/A A A N/A A A
 Mercury B A A A A A D
 Methane N/A A B A A A N/A
 Methanol (Methyl Alcohol) D A A A B A B
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Methyl Acetate D B D B A A D
 Methyl Acetone N/A D D D A A N/A
 Methyl Acrylate N/A B N/A B N/A N/A N/A
 Methyl Alcohol 10% D A A A B A B
 Methyl Bromide D D D A B A N/A
 Methyl Butyl Ketone N/A D A D D N/A D
 Methyl Cellosolve N/A D D A C A D
 Methyl Chloride D B D A B A D
 Methyl Dichloride N/A D A D C N/A N/A
 Methyl Ethyl Ketone D C D D A A D
 Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
 Methyl Isobutyl Ketone D N/A D D B A D
 Methyl Isopropyl Ketone N/A N/A D N/A A A D
 Methyl Methacrylate N/A D A B N/A N/A N/A
 Methylamine D D D C N/A A N/A
 Methylene Chloride D B D B C A D
 Milk B A A A A A A
 Mineral Spirits D A A N/A A A C
 Molasses B A A B A A N/A
 Monochloroacetic acid N/A D N/A B D A D
 Monoethanolamine N/A D D C A A N/A
 Morpholine C N/A N/A B A A D
 Motor oil C B B B A A A
 Mustard B C B A A A A
 Naphtha D A A A A B B
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Naphthalene D A D A A A N/A
 Natural Gas B B A N/A N/A A N/A
 Nickel Chloride A A A A C A A
 Nickel Nitrate A N/A A A A A D
 Nickel Sulfate B A A A A A A
 Nitrating Acid (<15% HNO3) N/A N/A D N/A N/A A N/A
 Nitrating Acid (>15% H2SO4) N/A D D N/A N/A A N/A
 Nitrating Acid (S1% Acid) N/A N/A D N/A N/A A N/A
 Nitrating Acid (S15% H2SO4) N/A N/A D N/A N/A A N/A
 Nitric Acid (20%) B D A A D A B
 Nitric Acid (50%) C D B A D A B
 Nitric Acid (5-10%) B D A A D A A
 Nitric Acid (Concentrated) D D B A D A C
 Nitrobenzene D C D A B A D
 Nitrogen Fertilizer N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A A N/A
 Nitromethane D A B A B A D
 Nitrous Acid D N/A A B N/A A N/A
 Nitrous Oxide N/A N/A A D C A N/A
 Oils:Aniline D D D A A A N/A
 Oils:Anise N/A D N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
 Oils:Bay N/A D N/A A N/A N/A N/A
 Oils:Bone N/A D N/A A N/A A N/A
 Oils:Castor A A A A A A N/A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Oils:Cinnamon N/A D D N/A N/A A D
 Oils:Citric D A B A A A A
 Oils:Clove N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A A N/A
 Oils:Coconut A A A A N/A A N/A
 Oils:Cod Liver A B A A N/A A N/A
 Oils:Corn B A B A A A N/A
 Oils:Cottonseed A A B A B A N/A
 Oils:Creosote N/A D C N/A D A N/A
 Oils:Diesel Fuel (20, 30, 40, 50) N/A D B A A A N/A
 Oils:Fuel (1, 2, 3, 5A, 5B, 6) D D A B A A B
 Oils:Ginger N/A A N/A A N/A A N/A
 Oils:Hydraulic Oil (Petro) N/A B A A A A N/A
 Oils:Hydraulic Oil (Synthetic) N/A N/A A A A A N/A
 Oils:Lemon C D N/A A N/A A N/A
 Oils:Linseed N/A A A A A A N/A
 Oils:Mineral A A B A A A B
 Oils:Olive A A C N/A A A A
 Oils:Orange N/A D C A N/A N/A C
 Oils:Palm A A A A N/A A N/A
 Oils:Peanut N/A A A A N/A A N/A
 Oils:Peppermint D D N/A A N/A A N/A
 Oils:Pine D A D A A A A
 Oils:Rapeseed N/A A N/A A N/A A N/A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Oils:Rosin N/A N/A C A A A N/A
 Oils:Sesame Seed A D A A N/A A N/A
 Oils:Silicone A A A A A A N/A
 Oils:Soybean A A A A A A N/A
 Oils:Sperm (whale) A D N/A A N/A A N/A
 Oils:Tanning N/A D N/A A N/A N/A N/A
 Oils:Transformer N/A A B A A A N/A
 Oils:Turbine N/A A A A A A N/A
 Oleic Acid D A C A A A N/A
 Oleum 100% D D D D D A N/A
 Oleum 25% N/A D D C D A N/A
 Oxalic Acid (cold) A B B B B A N/A
 Ozone B C B A D A A
 Palmitic Acid A A B A A A N/A
 Paraffin A A B A A A A
 Pentane N/A B A A A A A
 Perchloric Acid N/A C C A D A N/A
 Perchloroethylene D B C A C A D
 Petrolatum N/A B B A D C N/A
 Petroleum B B N/A A A A N/A
 Phenol (10%) D B C A D A B
 Phenol (Carbolic Acid) D D D A D A D
 Phosphoric Acid (>40%) C D B B B A A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Phosphoric Acid (crude) C D B A B A A
 Phosphoric Acid (molten) D D D D N/A N/A N/A
 Phosphoric Acid (S40%) B D B B B A A
 Phosphoric Acid Anhydride N/A D N/A D N/A N/A D
 Phosphorus N/A B A A N/A A N/A
 Phosphorus Trichloride D D D A N/A A C
 Photographic Developer B D A N/A N/A A A
 Photographic Solutions N/A D A B A A A
 Phthalic Acid B C N/A A B A N/A
 Phthalic Anhydride B C D A N/A A A
 Picric Acid A A D A C A D
 Plating Solutions,   Antimony Plating 55oC N/A A A A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Arsenic Plating 43oC N/A A A A A A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Brass Plating:     High-Speed Brass Bath 45oC N/A A A B A A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Brass Plating:     Regular Brass Bath 38oC N/A A A B A A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Bronze Plating:     Cu-Cd Bronze Bath R.T. N/A A A A A A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Bronze Plating:     Cu-Sn Bronze Bath 72oC N/A B D A A A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Bronze Plating:     Cu-Zn Bronze Bath 38oC N/A A A A A A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Cadmium Plating:     Cyanide Bath 32oC N/A A A A A A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Cadmium Plating:     Fluoborate Bath 38oC N/A C A A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Chromium Plating:     Barrel Chrome Bath 35oC N/A D A C D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Chromium Plating:     Black Chrome Bath 46oC N/A D A C D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Chromium Plating:     Chromic-Sulfuric Bath 55oC N/A D A C D A N/A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Plating Solutions,   Chromium Plating:     Fluoride Bath 55oC N/A D A C D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Chromium Plating:     Fluosilicate Bath 35oC N/A D A C D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Copper Plating (Acid):     Copper Fluoborate Bath 67oC N/A C A A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Copper Plating (Acid):     Copper Sulfate Bath R.T. N/A A A A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Copper Plating (Cyanide):     Copper Strike Bath 50oC N/A A A B A A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Copper Plating (Cyanide):     High-Speed Bath 82oC N/A B D A A A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Copper Plating (Cyanide):     Rochelle Salt Bath 66oC N/A B D A A A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Copper Plating (Misc):     Copper (Electroless) N/A D A A A A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Copper Plating (Misc):     Copper Pyrophosphate N/A A A A A A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Gold Plating:     Acid 25oC N/A N/A A N/A A A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Gold Plating:     Cyanide 66oC N/A N/A D N/A A A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Gold Plating:     Neutral 25oC N/A N/A A N/A A A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Indium Sulfamate Plating R.T. N/A N/A A N/A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Iron Plating:     Ferrous Am Sulfate Bath 66oC N/A N/A D N/A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Iron Plating:     Ferrous Chloride Bath 90oC N/A N/A D N/A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Iron Plating:     Ferrous Sulfate Bath 66oC N/A N/A D N/A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Iron Plating:     Fluoborate Bath 63oC N/A N/A D N/A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Iron Plating:     Sulfamate 65oC N/A N/A A N/A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Iron Plating:     Sulfate-Chloride Bath 72oC N/A N/A D N/A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Lead Fluoborate Plating N/A N/A A N/A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Nickel Plating:     Electroless 94oC N/A N/A D N/A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Nickel Plating:     Fluoborate 47-77oC N/A N/A A N/A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Nickel Plating:     High-Chloride 55-72oC N/A N/A D N/A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Nickel Plating:     Sulfamate 38-60oC N/A N/A A N/A A A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Nickel Plating:     Watts Type 46-70oC N/A N/A D N/A A A N/A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Plating Solutions,   Rhodium Plating 50oC N/A N/A A N/A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Silver Plating 27-50oC N/A N/A A N/A A A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Tin-Fluoborate Plating 70oC N/A N/A A N/A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Tin-Lead Plating 70oC N/A N/A A N/A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Zinc Plating:     Acid Chloride 60oC N/A N/A A N/A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Zinc Plating:     Acid Fluoborate Bath R.T. N/A N/A A N/A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Zinc Plating:     Acid Sulfate Bath 66oC N/A N/A D N/A D A N/A
 Plating Solutions,   Zinc Plating:     Alkaline Cyanide Bath R.T. N/A N/A A N/A A A N/A
 Potash (Potassium Carbonate) A B A A A N/A N/A
 Potassium Bicarbonate A C A B A A N/A
 Potassium Bromide A A A A A A A
 Potassium Chlorate A B A A C A A
 Potassium Chloride A A A A A A A
 Potassium Chromate N/A C A B B A N/A
 Potassium Cyanide Solutions A C A A A A N/A
 Potassium Dichromate B A A A B A A
 Potassium Ferricyanide B B A A B A N/A
 Potassium Ferrocyanide N/A N/A A A B A N/A
 Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash) A A A A C A D
 Potassium Hypochlorite N/A N/A B A B A N/A
 Potassium Iodide B N/A A A A A N/A
 Potassium Nitrate B A A A B A A
 Potassium Oxalate N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A A N/A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Potassium Permanganate B A A A D A A
 Potassium Sulfate B B A A A A A
 Potassium Sulfide B N/A A A A A N/A
 Propane (liquefied) N/A A A A A A C
 Propylene B N/A B N/A N/A A N/A
 Propylene Glycol B B C N/A A A B
 Pyridine N/A B D D C A D
 Pyrogallic Acid N/A D A A N/A A N/A
 Resorcinal A N/A C N/A D A B
 Rosins N/A B C N/A A A N/A
 Rum N/A A A N/A A N/A N/A
 Rust Inhibitors N/A A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
 Salad Dressings N/A A N/A N/A A N/A N/A
 Salicylic Acid A D B A A A A
 Salt Brine (NaCl saturated) N/A N/A A A A A A
 Sea Water N/A A A A A A A
 Shellac (Bleached) N/A A N/A N/A A A N/A
 Shellac (Orange) N/A A N/A N/A A A N/A
 Silicone D A A A A A A
 Silver Bromide N/A C N/A N/A N/A A N/A
 Silver Nitrate B A A A A A A
 Soap Solutions A A A A A A A
 Soda Ash (see Sodium Carbonate) B A A A B A A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Sodium Acetate B B B A B A A
 Sodium Aluminate N/A B N/A N/A A A N/A
 Sodium Benzoate A N/A B A B A A
 Sodium Bicarbonate A A A A A A A
 Sodium Bisulfate A B A A A A A
 Sodium Bisulfite A C A A C A A
 Sodium Borate (Borax) A N/A A A A A A
 Sodium Bromide B A B A B A N/A
 Sodium Carbonate B A A A B A A
&nbsnbsp;Sodium Chlorate A A A A D A A
 Sodium Chloride A A A A A A A
 Sodium Chromate N/A D N/A A C A A
 Sodium Cyanide A A A A A A N/A
 Sodium Ferrocyanide N/A A A A N/A A N/A
 Sodium Fluoride A N/A A A B A N/A
 Sodium Hydrosulfite N/A N/A C N/A A A N/A
 Sodium Hydroxide (20%) B A A A A A A
 Sodium Hydroxide (50%) A A A A A A D
 Sodium Hydroxide (80%) A D A A C A D
 Sodium Hypochlorite (<20%) B D A A D A C
 Sodium Hypochlorite (100%) N/A D B A D A N/A
 Sodium Hyposulfate N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A A N/A
 Sodium Metaphosphate N/A B A A A A N/A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Sodium Metasilicate N/A D A N/A N/A A N/A
 Sodium Nitrate N/A A A A A A N/A
 Sodium Perborate N/A B A N/A B A N/A
 Sodium Peroxide N/A D B A A A A
 Sodium Polyphosphate N/A B A A A A N/A
 Sodium Silicate N/A C A A A A N/A
 Sodium Sulfate N/A B A A A A A
 Sodium Sulfide N/A B A A A A D
 Sodium Sulfite N/A N/A A A D A N/A
 Sodium Tetraborate N/A B A N/A A A N/A
 Sodium Thiosulfate (hypo) N/A C A A B A D
 Sorghum N/A A N/A N/A A N/A N/A
 Soy Sauce N/A A N/A N/A A N/A N/A
 Stannic Chloride N/A C A A B A A
 Stannic Fluoborate N/A C N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
 Stannous Chloride N/A N/A A A C A N/A
 Starch N/A A A N/A A A N/A
 Stearic Acid N/A A B A A A A
 Stoddard Solvent B A C A A A A
 Styrene N/A A D N/A A A D
 Sugar (Liquids) B A N/A N/A A A N/A
 Sulfate (Liquors) N/A D B A B A N/A
 Sulfur Chloride N/A D C A A A N/A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Sulfur Dioxide D B A A C A N/A
 Sulfur Dioxide (dry) N/A B A A B A A
 Sulfur Hexafluoride N/A N/A B N/A B N/A N/A
 Sulfur Trioxide N/A N/A A N/A D A N/A
 Sulfur Trioxide (dry) N/A D A C A A N/A
 Sulfuric Acid (<10%) B D A A C A A
 Sulfuric Acid (10-75%) B D A A D A B
 Sulfuric Acid (75-100%) N/A N/A D A D A D
 Sulfuric Acid (cold concentrated) N/A N/A D A D A N/A
 Sulfuric Acid (hot concentrated) N/A N/A D C D A D
 Sulfurous Acid N/A C A A D A N/A
 Sulfuryl Chloride N/A A N/A N/A N/A A N/A
 Tallow N/A A N/A N/A A A N/A
 Tannic Acid N/A B A B C A C
 Tanning Liquors N/A B A N/A A A N/A
 Tartaric Acid N/A B A B B A N/A
 Tetrachloroethane N/A A C A C A N/A
 Tetrachloroethylene N/A A D N/A A A D
 Tetrahydrofuran N/A A D B A A D
 Tin Salts N/A N/A A A N/A A N/A
 Toluene (Toluol) D C D A A A D
 Tomato Juice B B A A A A A
 Trichloroacetic Acid N/A N/A B B C A D
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 Trichloroethane N/A A C A C A D
 Trichloroethylene D D D B C A N/A
 Trichloropropane D A N/A N/A N/A A N/A
 Tricresylphosphate B C D D A A N/A
 Triethylamine N/A D B A A A N/A
 Trisodium Phosphate B A A A A A N/A
 Turpentine D A D A B A D
 Urea B A D A A A D
 Uric Acid N/A N/A A N/A A A N/A
 Urine N/A A A A B A N/A
 Varnish N/A A D N/A A A N/A
 Vegetable Juice B A N/A N/A A A N/A
 Vinegar A B B B A A A
 Vinyl Acetate N/A N/A D A N/A A N/A
 Vinyl Chloride D N/A D B A A N/A
 Water, Acid, Mine B A B A A A B
 Water, Deionized N/A N/A A A A A N/A
 Water, Distilled B B A A A A A
 Water, Fresh A A B A A A A
 Water, Salt N/A A B A A A A
 Weed Killers N/A A N/A N/A A N/A N/A
 Whey N/A A N/A N/A N/A A N/A
 Whiskey & Wines C A A A A A A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate
 White Liquor (Pulp Mill) N/A D A A A A N/A
 White Water (Paper Mill) N/A B A N/A A N/A N/A
 Xylene D A D A A A D
 Zinc Chloride A C B A A A A
 Zinc Hydrosulfite A C N/A N/A A A N/A
 Zinc Sulfate A C A A A A A
Fluid ABS Acetal (Delrin) PVC PVDF Nylon PTFE Polycarbonate

Using Chemical Resistance Data for Material Selection

The table is best used as a screening tool rather than as the final basis for material selection. For example, an engineer considering a plastic component for contact with a particular chemical can compare the ratings across the row and identify materials with the highest indicated resistance.

A high resistance rating does not automatically mean that a plastic is suitable for the complete application. Mechanical strength, operating temperature, pressure, dimensional stability, wear, manufacturing method and cost may also influence the final material choice.

Where a chemical is shown at more than one concentration, use the entry that most closely matches the expected operating conditions. If the concentration, temperature or service conditions differ significantly from those represented by the table, obtain specific compatibility data before making the final selection.


Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use a plastic chemical resistance chart?

Find the chemical or fluid in the first column and read across the row to compare the resistance ratings for each plastic. The chart can be used as a preliminary screening tool to identify materials that may be suitable for further investigation.

What do the A, B, C and D chemical resistance ratings mean?

A indicates excellent chemical resistance, B indicates good resistance, C indicates fair or limited resistance, and D indicates poor resistance or severe chemical attack. N/A indicates that resistance information is not available in the table.

Which plastics are compared in this chemical resistance table?

The table compares ABS, Acetal (Delrin), PVC, PVDF, Nylon, PTFE and Polycarbonate against a wide range of chemicals and process fluids.

Does temperature affect the chemical resistance of plastics?

Yes. The chemical resistance of a plastic can change significantly with temperature. The ratings in this table generally relate to fluids at approximately 21°C unless otherwise stated, so compatibility should be checked separately for applications operating at significantly different temperatures.

Does chemical concentration affect plastic compatibility?

Yes. A plastic may have different resistance to the same chemical at different concentrations. Where concentration-specific information is provided in the table, use the entry that most closely represents the intended operating conditions.

Can this table be used to select a plastic for an engineering component?

The table can be used for preliminary material selection, but it should not be the sole basis for final design. The exact plastic grade, chemical concentration, temperature, exposure time, mechanical stress, pressure and other service conditions should be considered, and critical applications should be checked against manufacturer or specialist compatibility data.


Corrosion Links



Links to Corrosion Resistance Tables
  1. Corrosion Doctors ...An excellent reference site for the very important topic of corrosion
  2. Omega...Chemical Chart-Some Plastics
  3. dultmeier...Relatively extensive Chemical Chart
  4. Chemical Resistance Guide -Plastics ...George fischer ..American Site
  5. Chemical Compatibility ...Cole Porter ..American site with very clear information on chemical compatibility