Chemical Compatibility & Plastic Suitability
Don’t Let Chemicals Conquer Your Plastics: A Guide to Chemical Compatibility & Plastic Suitability
Ever poured the wrong cleaner into a container and witnessed the plastic warp or crack? It’s a frustrating (and sometimes hazardous) experience. But what if you could choose the perfect plastic for any chemical, ensuring its longevity and safety? At Valency Labs, we help you achieve just that.
Plastics are a cornerstone of modern life, but their interaction with chemicals varies greatly. Some plastics heroically withstand harsh environments, while others crumble under seemingly innocuous solutions. Understanding chemical resistance is crucial for selecting the right plastic for the job.
Imagine the peace of mind knowing your containers, pipes, or equipment can handle the chemicals they encounter daily. Valency Labs offers a comprehensive suite of services to ensure chemical compatibility for:
Membranes & GMFs (Gas Mixing Feeders):
These play a vital role in various industries. Improper chemical selection can lead to leaks, reduced performance, and safety hazards. We provide a dedicated Chemical Compatibility Guide for Membranes & GMFs, tailored to your specific needs.
Valency Labs’ Chemical Compatibility Guide for Membranes & GMFs offers:
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Extensive data on compatibility with various chemicals commonly used in water treatment, food & beverage processing, and other industries.
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Expert insights to help you choose the optimal membrane or GMF material for your application.
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Strategies to optimize performance and lifespan of your equipment.
But wait, there’s more! We also delve into:
Incompatible Hazardous Chemicals:
Certain chemicals pose a serious threat to specific plastics. Knowing these “red flags” can prevent catastrophic failures and safeguard your operations.
Partner with Valency Labs to unlock the secrets of plastic suitability!
Don’t let chemical compatibility remain a mystery.
Here’s how we can help:
Chemical resistance testing:
We conduct rigorous testing to determine a plastic’s resistance to your specific chemicals.
Material selection guidance:
Our experts recommend the most suitable plastic based on your application and chemical interactions.
Custom compatibility studies:
For unique needs, we design and execute custom studies to ensure optimal results.
Contact Valency Labs today!
Let’s navigate the world of chemical compatibility together. With our expertise, you can choose plastics with confidence, ensuring their safety, performance, and longevity.
Chemical Resistance of Plastics
R Resistant
A Slowly attacked (not recommended for long term storage)
L Limited resistance
U Unsuitable
SW Swelling occurs
V Vapour diffusion
E Environmental stress cracking
| Chemical | Polypropylene | Polycarbonate | Polyethylene | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LD | HD | |||||||
| 20°C | 60°C | 20°C | 60°C | 20°C | 60°C | 20°C | 60°C | |
| Acetic acid solution <90% | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Acetic acid, glacial | R | U | U | U | A | U | R | L |
| Acetone | R | R | U | U | E | U | R | R |
| Ammonia | R | R | U | U | R | R | R | R |
| Aniline | R | R | U | U | U | U | R | R |
| Benzene | A | U | U | U | U | U | U | U |
| Boric Acid | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Bromine | U | U | U | U | U | U | U | U |
| Carbon tetrachloride | U | U | U | U | U | U | A | U |
| Chlorinated Solvents | U | U | U | U | U | U | U | U |
| Chloroform | U | U | U | U | U | U | U | U |
| Cresols | U | U | U | U | U | U | U | U |
| Diethyl ether | U | U | U | U | U | U | U | U |
| Diethylene glycol | R | R | R | U | R | R | R | E |
| Ethers | U | U | A | U | E | U | A | U |
| Ethyl acetate | A | A | U | U | A | U | A | U |
| Ethanol | R | R | R | R | R | U | R | R |
| Ethylene glycol | R | R | R | U | R | R | E | E |
| Formaldehyde solution 40% | R | R | R | R | R | E | R | R |
| Formic acid | R | R | R | R | R | E | R | R |
| Hydrochloric acid cone. | E | E | L | U | R | R | SW | SW |
| Hydrofluoric acid 1-60% | E | E | U | U | R | R | R | L |
| Hydrofluoric acid cone. | E | E | L | u | R | U | R | L |
| Hydrogen peroxide 30-90% | R | R | R | R | R | U | R | A |
| Magnesium hydroxide | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Maleic acid | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Mineral oil | R | R | R | R | A | U | R | E |
| Nitric acid <25% | R | R | R | U | R | R | R | R |
| Nitric acid 25- 70% | R | E | U | U | A | U | L | U |
| Nitric acid >70 | E | U | U | u | U | U | U | U |
| Oxalic acid | R | A | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Paraffin | R | A | R | R | A | U | R | R |
| Petroleum ether | A | U | R | R | U | U | U | U |
| Phosphoricacid<30% | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Phosphoric acid 30-85% | R | R | R | R | R | A | R | R |
| Phosphoric acid >85% | R | R | R | R | A | U | R | A |
| Potassium hydroxide | R | R | U | U | R | R | R | R |
| Salicylic acid | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Sodium hydroxide solution | R | R | U | U | R | R | U | U |
| Sulphuric acid <60% | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Sulphuric acid 60-70% | R | U | R | R | R | A | R | A |
| Sulphuric acid>70% | E | U | U | U | A | U | A | L |
| Silicone oil | R | R | R | R | A | U | E | E |
| Stearic acid | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| “bluene | U | U | U | U | U | U | U | U |
| Trichloroethylene | U | U | U | U | U | U | V | U |
| Water | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
Chemical Compatibility Guide for Membranes & GMF
Compatible
Limited Compatibility
Not Compatible
No Data Available
PTFE : Poly Tetra Fluoro Ethylene
PVDF : Polyvinylidene Fluoride
PES : Poly Ether Sulphone
PP : Poly Propylene
CA : Cellulose Acetate
RC : Regenerated Cellulose
CN : Cellulose Nitrate
GMF : Glass Microfibre Filter
| ACIDS | |||||||||
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| Nylon | PTFE | PVDF | PES | CA | RC | CN | PP | GMF | |
| Acetic, Glacial |  |
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| Acetic, 25% | |
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| Hydrochloric, Concentrated | |
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| Hydrochloric, 25% | |
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| Sulphuric, Concentrated | |
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| Sulphuric, 25% | |
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| Nitric, Concentrated | |
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| Nitric, 25% | |
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| Phosphoric, 25% | |
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| Formic, 25% | |
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| Trichloroacetic, 25% | |
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| ALKALIES | |||||||||
| Nylon | PTFE | PVDF | PES | CA | RC | CN | PP | GMF | |
| Ammonium Hydroxide, 25% | |
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| Sodium Hydroxide, 25% | |
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| ALCOHOLS | |||||||||
| Nylon | PTFE | PVDF | PES | CA | RC | CN | PP | GMF | |
| Methanol, 98% | |
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| Ethanol, 98% | |
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| Ethanol, 70% | |
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| Isopropanol | |
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| n-Propanol | |
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| Amyl Alcohol, Butanol | |
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| Benzyl Alcohol | |
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| Ethylene Glycol | |
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| Propylene Glycol | |
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| Glycerol | |
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| HYDROCARBONS | |||||||||
| Nylon | PTFE | PVDF | PES | CA | RC | CN | PP | GMF | |
| HYDROCARBONS | |||||||||
| Hexane, Xylene | |
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| Toluene, Benzene | |
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| Kerosene, Gasoline | |
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| Tetralin, Decalin | |
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| HALOGENATED HYDROCARBONS | |||||||||
| Nylon | PTFE | PVDF | PES | CA | RC | CN | PP | GMF | |
| Methylene Chloride | |
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| Chloroform | |
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| Trichloroethylene | |
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| Monochlorobenzene | |
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| Freon | |
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| Carbon Tetrachloride | |
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| KETONES | |||||||||
| Nylon | PTFE | PVDF | PES | CA | RC | CN | PP | GMF | |
| Acetone | |
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| Cyclohexanone | |
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| Methyl Ethyl Ketone | |
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| Isopropylacetone | |
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| Methyl Isobutyl Ketone | |
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| ESTERS | |||||||||
| Nylon | PTFE | PVDF | PES | CA | RC | CN | PP | GMF | |
| Ethyl & Methyl Acetate | |
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| Amyl & Butyl Acetate | |
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| Propyl Acetate | |
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| Propylene Glycol Acetate | |
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| 2-Ethoxyethyl Acetate | |
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| Methyl Cellosolve Acetate | |
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| Benzyl Benzoate | |
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| Isopropyl Myristate | |
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| Tricresyl Phosphate | |
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| OXIDES – ETHERS | |||||||||
| Nylon | PTFE | PVDF | PES | CA | RC | CN | PP | GMF | |
| Ethyl Ether | |
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| Dioxane | |
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| Tetrahydrofuran | |
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| Triethanolamine | |
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| Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) | |
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| Isopropyl Ether | |
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| SOLVENTS WITH NITROGEN | |||||||||
| Nylon | PTFE | PVDF | PES | CA | RC | CN | PP | GMF | |
| Dimethyl Formamide | |
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| Diethylacetamide | |
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| Triethanolamine | |
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| Aniline | |
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| Pyridine | |
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| Acetonitrile | |
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| MISCELLANEOUS | |||||||||
| Nylon | PTFE | PVDF | PES | CA | RC | CN | PP | GMF | |
| Phenol, Aqueous, 10% | |
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| Formaldehyde Solution, 30% | |
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| Hydrogen Peroxide, 30% | |
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| Silicone Oil & Mineral Oil | |
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Incompatible Hazardous Chemicals
| Chemicals in the left hand column should be stored under controlled conditions and these chemicals should not come in contact with the right hand column otherwise, a reaction will be violent and lead to an accident. | |
|---|---|
| Acetic acid | Chromic acid, nitric acid, peroxides and permanganates |
| Acetic anhydride | Hydroxyl-containing compounds, ethylene glycol, perchloric acid |
| Acetone | Concentrated nitric and sulphuric acid mixtures, hydrogen peroxide |
| Acetylene | Chlorine, bromide, copper, silver, fluorine and mercury |
| Alkali and alkaline earth metals such as sodium, potassium, lithium, magnesium, calcium | Carbon dioxide, carbon tetrachloride and other chlorinated hydrocarbons. (Also prohibit water, foam and dry chemicals onfires involving these metals -dry sand should be available) |
| Aluminium powder | Halogenated or oxygenated solvents |
| Ammonia, anhydrous | Mercury, chlorine, calcium hypochlorite, iodine, bromine and hydrogen fluoride |
| Ammonium nitrate | Acids, metal powders, flammable liquids, chlorates, nitrates, sulphur, finely divided organics or combustibles |
| Aniline | Nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide |
| Bromine | Ammonia, acetylene, butadiene, butane and other petroleum gases, sodium carbide, turpentine, benzene and finely divided metals |
| Calcium oxide | Water |
| Carbon, activated | Calcium hypochlorite |
| Chlorates | Ammonium salts, acids, metal powders, phosphorus, sulphur, finely divided orqanics or combustibles |
| Chromic acid and chromium trioxide | Acetic acid, naphthalene, camphor, phosphorus, sulphur, finelydivided organics or combustibles |
| Chlorine | Ammonia, acetylene, butadiene, butane, other petroleum gases, hydrogen, sodium carbide, turpentine, benzene and finely divided metals |
| Chlorine dioxide | Ammonia, methane, phosphine and hydrogen sulphide |
| Copper | Acetylene, hydrogen peroxide |
| Fluorine | Isolate from everything |
| Hydrazine | Hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, any other oxidant and heavy metal salts |
| Hydrocarbons (benzene, butane, propane, gasoline, turpentine etc) | Fluorine,chlorine, bromine, chromic acid, cone. Nitric acid, peroxides |
| Hydrogen cyanide | Nitric acid, alkalis |
| Hydrogen fluoride | Ammonia, aqueous or anhydrous |
| Hydrogen peroxide | Copper, chromium, iron, most metals or their salts, any flammable liquid, combustible materials, aniline, nitromethane |
| Hydrogen sulphide | Fuming nitric acid, oxidising gases |
| Iodine | Acetylene, ammonia (anhydrous or aqueous) |
| Mercury | Acetylene, fulminic acid*, ammonia |
| Nitric acid (cone.) | Acetic acid, acetone, alcohol, aniline, chromic acid,hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulphide, flammable liquids, flammable gases, nitratable substances, fats, grease |
| Nitromethane, lower nitroalkanes | Inorganic bases, amines, halogens, 13X molecular sieve |
| Oxalic acid | Silver, mercury, urea |
| Oxygen | Oils, grease, hydrogen, flammable liquids, solids or gases |
| Perchloric acid | Acetic anhydride, bismuth and its alloys, alcohol, paper, wood, grease, oils, dehydrating agents |
| Peroxides, organic | Acids (organic or mineral), avoid friction, store cold |
| Phosphinates | Any oxidant |
| Phosphorus (white) | Air, oxygen |
| Potassium chlorate | Acids (see also chlorates) |
| Potassium perchlorate | Acids (see also perchloric acid) |
| Potassium permanganate | Glycerol, ethylene glycol, benzaldehyde, sulphuric acid |
| Silver | Acetylene, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, fulminic acid*, ammonium compounds |
| Sodium | See alkali metals (above) |
| Sodium nitrate | Ammonium nitrate and other ammonium salts |
| Sodium peroxide | Any oxidizable substance, such as ethanol, methanol, glacial acetic acid, acetic anhydride, benzaldehyde, carbon disulfide, glycerol, ethylene glycol, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, furfural |
| Sulfuric Sulphuric acid | Chlorates, perchlorates, permanganates |
| Thiocyanates | Metal nitrates, nitrites, oxidants |
| Trifluoromethane sulfonic acid | Perchlorate salts |