10.5

CHEMICAL RESISTANCE

TABLE 10.4 Resistance of Selected Polymers and Rubbers to Various Chemicals at 20

C

The information in this table is intended to be used only as a general guide. The chemical resistance classifications

are E

excellent (30 days of exposure causes no damage), G

good (some damage after 30 days), F

fair

(exposure may cause crazing, softening, swelling, or loss of strength), N

not recommended (immediate damage

may occur).

Chemical

Acids, dilute or weak

Acids, strong and concentrated

Alcohols,

aliphatic

Aldehydes

Alkalies, concentrated

Esters

Ethers

Glycols

Hydrocarbons, aliphatic

Hydrocarbons,

aromatic

Hydrocarbons, halogenated

Ketones

Oxidizing agents, strong

Polymers

Acetals

F

N

F

N

N

N

N

G

N

N

N

N

N

Acrylics: poly(methyl methacrylate)

G

N

E

—

N

N

E

E

G

N

N

N

N

Allyls: diallyl phthalate

G

—

—

—

N

—

—

—

E

G

G

N

—

Cellulosics: cellulose-acetate-butyrate and cellulose-

F

N

N

N

N

N

N

G

F

N

N

N

—

acetate-propionate polymers

Fluorocarbons

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

Polyamides

N

N

G

E

E

G

—

G

G

F

F

G

N

Polycarbonates

G

N

G

F

N

N

N

G

N

N

N

N

N

Polyesters

G

G

N

—

N

N

F

G

G

F

F

N

F

Poly(methyl pentene)

E

E

G

G

E

G

N

E

F

G

N

F

F

Low-density polyethylene

E

E

E

G

E

G

N

E

F

F

N

G

F

High-density polyethylene

E

E

E

E

E

G

N

E

G

G

N

G

F

Polybutadiene

G

F

E

—

—

—

—

—

—

E

E

E

—