Chemical resistance of plastics

The information in the resistance tables for plastics, seals and aluminium is based on information provided by our raw materials suppliers and was determined using standardised test rods under laboratory conditions and at room temperature. In everyday use, many other factors play an important role.
 
Many chemicals are rarely used in their pure form.  For example, in the case of cleaning agents and disinfectants, these consist of mixtures of chemicals which often interact.

In addition, the methods and lengths of application time are a decisive factor. In the case of cleaning agents or disinfectants, this might mean:

  • Is the disinfectant sprayed onto a cloth which is then used to wipe the enclosure?
  • Is it sprayed on directly and then immediately washed off?
  • Does any of the chemical remain on the enclosure, for example in openings or recesses?


The temperature may also be important, because many chemicals react with a different level of aggression within different temperature ranges. In especially critical cases, the effect of chemicals and other media may even cause stress cracks and weak points.
 
In giving information on the chemical resistance of our products, we cannot take all these factors into consideration, because only the manufacturer and/or distributing company can know and assess them.
 
We ask for your understanding that, in view of the reasons stated above, we are unable to provide you with any additional details about the information given by the producers of raw materials.”

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  PS ABS PC PC/ABS-blend PA UP-GF Polyester
Acetone --- --- --- --- + ---
Formic acid 40 % --- --- --- --- 10 %
Ammonia + 25 % --- --- 10 % ---
Benzene --- --- o --- + ---
Brake fluid Δ o --- --- + +
Butane --- + + + + Δ
Butanol Δ Δ Δ Δ + +
Calcium chloride + + + Δ 10 % +
Chlorine benzole --- --- --- --- + +
Diesel oil --- + o Δ + +
Acetic acid 50 % 25 % 10 % 10 % 5 % 10 %
Formaldehyde 40 % 30 % Δ Δ o 30 %
Frigen 113 Δ --- + --- + +
Fruit juice Δ Δ + Δ + +
Glycerine + + o Δ + +
Heating oil --- o o Δ + +
Hydraulic oil Δ Δ + --- + +
Caustic potash solution 50 % 50 % --- --- 50 % ---
Potassium chloride + Δ + Δ 10 % +
Potassium hydroxide Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ ---
Linseed oil + + + + + +
Methanol Δ Δ --- Δ o ---
Methylene chloride --- --- --- --- o ---
Lactic acid 80 % 80 % + + o +
Mineral oils Δ Δ + Δ + +
Engine oils o + + Δ + +
Sodium carbonate + + + Δ 10 % +
Sodium chloride + + + + --- +
Sodium hydroxide Δ + Δ Δ Δ ---
Soda lye 50 % 50 % --- --- + 40 %
Nitric acid 10 % --- 10 % Δ --- 10 %
Hydrochloric acid 10 % o 20 % Δ --- ---
Lubricating oil Δ Δ + Δ + +
Carbon disulphide --- --- --- --- + ---
Sulphuric acid 50 % 50 % 50 % 50 % --- ---
Soap suds Δ Δ o Δ Δ +
Detergents Δ Δ + + Δ Δ
Turpentine oil --- Δ o Δ + +
Hydrocarbon tetrachloride --- --- Δ --- + +
Toluol --- --- --- --- + ---
Trichloroethylene --- --- --- --- + ---
Water (distilled, river, tap, sea) + + + + + +
Tartaric acid + + + + 10 % +
Xylol --- --- --- --- + +
Zinc sulphate + + + + Δ +
Citric acid + + 10 % + Δ +

Unless otherwise stated, the tests were carried out at room temperature.
If different media coincide, the resistances may change and consequently we cannot accept any liability for these data.

Symbols

+ = resistant to all concentrations % = resistant to this max. percentage concentration o = resistant under certain conditions --- = not resistant Δ = no information available