Chemical Resistance Summary: Classes of Substances at 20°C (download PDF)
We have several chemical compatibility reference charts to help you determine the appropriate resin for your specific chemical needs. Please review the charts below and feel free to call us at 888.322.5722 if you have any further questions.
Please note that these charts are for reference only. Many factors can affect the chemical resistance of a given plastic product, and it is your responsibility to do a test under your own conditions to ensure that the product you are using is fully compatible with your usage.
Color Guide
E
30 Days of constant exposure causes no damage. Plastic may tolerate for years.
G
Little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure to the reagent.
F
Some effect after 7 days of constant exposure to the reagent. The effect may be crazing, cracking, loss of strength or discoloration.
N
Not recommended for continuous use. Immediate damage may occur. Depending on the plastic, the effect may be severe crazing, cracking, loss of strength, discoloration deformation, dissolution or permeation loss.
*or equivalent. Tefzel and Teflon are registered trademarks of DuPont.
HDPE and LDPE Resistance Chart by Chemical
LDPE & HDPE resistance listed by chemical
1.4-dioxane
LDPE and HDPE at 20C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure. LDPE at 50C° shows some effect after 7 days of constant exposure.
Acetaldehyde
LDPE and HDPE at 20C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure. HDPE at 50C° shows some effect after 7 days of constant exposure. LDPE - immediate damage may occur.
Acetic Acid 5 %
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Acetic Acid, glacial 50%
LDPE and HDPE at 20C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure. LDPE at 50 C° - immediate damage may occur.
Acetone
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° - damage may occur. Not recommended for continuous use.
Allyl Alcohol
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Aluminum salts
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Amino acids
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Ammonia
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Ammonium carbonate, saturated
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Ammonium phosphate
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Ammonium sulphate
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Amyl chloride
HDPE at 20C° shows some effect after 7 days of constant exposure. HDPE at 50C° and LDPE at 20C°-50C° - immediate damage may occur. Not recommended for continuous use.
Aniline
LDPE and HDPE at 20C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure. HDPE at 50C° shows some effect after 7 days of constant exposure.
Benzene
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° - damage may occur. Not recommended for continuous use.
Benzyl alcohol
LDPE and HDPE at 50C° - immediate damage may occur. HDPE at 20C° shows some effect after 7 days of constant exposure.
Boric acid
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Bromine
LDPE and HDPE at 50C° - immediate damage may occur. HDPE at 20C° shows some effect after 7 days of constant exposure.
Butyric acid
LDPE and HDPE at 50C° - immediate damage may occur. HDPE at 20C° shows some effect after 7 days of constant exposure.
Calcium chloride
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Calcium hydroxide saturated
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Calcium sulphate
No data is available at this time.
Carbon tetrachloride
HDPE at 20C° shows little or no damage after 30 days. LDPE at 20C° and HDPE at 50C° show some effect after 7 days of constant exposure. LDPE at 50C° not recommended.
Chlorobenzene
Immediate damage may occur. Not recommended for continuous use.
Chloroform
HDPE and LDPE at 20C° show some effect after 7 days. At -50C° - immediate damage may occur. Not recommended for continuous use.
Chlorine 10% in water
HDPE and LDPE at 20C° shows little or no damage after 30 days. LDPE at 50C° shows damage and is not recommended.
Chromic acid 10%
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Chromic acid 50%
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Citric acid 10%
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Cresol
HDPE at 20C° shows some effect after 7 days. LDPE at 20C°-50C° and HDPE at 50C° show immediate damage and are not recommended for continuous use.
Cyclohexane
LDPE and HDPE at 50C° - immediate damage may occur. HDPE and LDPE at 20C° show some effect after 7 days of constant exposure.
Diethyl ketone
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° - damage may occur. Not recommended for continuous use.
Dimethylsulfoxide
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Ethanol 95%
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Ethyl acetate
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Ethyl benzene
HDPE at 20C° shows some effect after 7 days. LDPE at 20C°-50C° and HDPE at 50C° show immediate damage and are not recommended for continuous use.
Ethylene glycol
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Ethylene oxide
HDPE at 20C° shows little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure. LDPE at 20C° and LDPE/ HDPE at 50C° show some effect after 7 days.
Ferric chloride
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Fluoride
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Fluorine
HDPE at 20C° shows little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure. LDPE at 20C° shows some effect after 7 days. Neither HDPE or LDPE are recommended at 50C°.
Formaldehyde 10%
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Formaldehyde 40%
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Glycerol
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Heating oil
No further data is available at this time.
Hexane
HDPE at 20C° shows little or no damage after 30 days continuous use and at 50 C° shows some effect after 7 days. LDPE not recommended at any temperature.
Hydrochloric acid 5%
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Hydrochloric acid 20%
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Hydrochloric acid 35%
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Hydrocyanic acid
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Hydrofluoric acid
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Hydrofluoric acid 4%
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Hydrofluoric acid 48%
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Hydrogen peroxide 3%
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Hydrogen peroxide 30%
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Isobutyl alcohol
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Isopropyl acetate
No data is available at this time.
Isopropyl alcohol
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Kerosene
LDPE and HDPE at 20C° show some effect after 7 days. HDPE and LDPE not recommended at 50C°, as immediate damage may occur.
Lactic Acid 10 %
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Lactic Acid 90 %
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Lead acetate
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Metallic salts, dissolved
No data is available at this time.
Methanoic acid 100%
No data is available at this time.
Methanol
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Methyl ethyl ketone
Immediate damage may occur. Not recommended for continuous use.
Methyl propyl ketone
HDPE at 20C° shows some effect after 7 days. LDPE at 20C°-50C° and HDPE at 50C° - Immediate damage may occur. Not recommended for continuous use.
Methylene chloride
HDPE at 20C° shows some effect after 7 days. LDPE at 20C°-50C° and HDPE at 50C° - Immediate damage may occur. Not recommended for continuous use.
Mineral oil
LDPE and HDPE at 20C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure. LDPE at 50C° may show immediate damage and is not recommended.
n-amyl acetate
LDPE and HDPE at 20C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure. LDPE at 50C° shows some effect after 7 days or constant exposure.
n-butyl alcohol
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
n-octane
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Nitric acid 50 %
LDPE at 20C° shows little or damage after 30 days. HDPE at 20C° and LDPE at 50C° show effect after 7 days. HDPE at 50C° shows immediate damage and is not recommended.
Nitric acid 70 %
HDPE and LDPE at 20C° show some effect after 7 days. Both at 50C° show immediate damage and are not recommended.
Oleic acid
HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure. LDPE at 20C°-50C° shows immediate damage and is not recommended.
Oxalic acid
LDPE at 20C° shows some effect after 7 days. HDPE at 20C° and both HDPE and LDPE at 50C° show little or no damage after 30 days.
Ozone
HDPE and LDPE at 20C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure. HDPE and LDPE at 50C° show immediate damage and are not recommended.
Perchloric acid
HDPE and LDPE at 20C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure. HDPE and LDPE at 50C° show immediate damage and are not recommended.
Perchloric ethylene
HDPE and LDPE at 20C°-50C° show immediate damage and are not recommended.
Phenol
HDPE and LDPE at 20C°-50C° show immediate damage and are not recommended.
Phosphoric acid 10%
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Phosphoric acid 85%
HDPE and LDPE at 20C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure. LDPE at 50C° shows immediate damage and is not recommended.
Phosphorous trichloride
HDPE and LDPE at 20C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure. LDPE at 50C° has no data available. HDPE at 50C° shows some effect after 7 days.
Potassium acetate
No data is available at this time.
Potassium bromide
No data is available at this time.
Potassium carbonate
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Potassium hydroxide 5 %
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Potassium hydroxide concentrated
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Potassium permanganate
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Propylene glycol
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Pyridine
Immediate damage may occur. Not recommended for continuous use.
Salicylic acid, saturated
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Silver acetate
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Silver nitrate
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Sodium carbonate
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Sodium chloride, saturated
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Sodium dichromate
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Sodium hydroxide 1%
LDPE at 20C°-50C° shows little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure. HDPE at 20C°-50C° shows some effect after 7 days.
Sodium hydroxide 50%
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Sodium hypochlorite 15%
HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure. LDPE at 20C° is suitable but at 50C° shows some effect after 7 days.
Sodium nitrate
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Sodium sulphate
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Sucrose
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Sulphide
No additional information is available at this time.
Sulfuric acid 6%
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Sulfuric acid 20%
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Sulfuric acid 60%
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Sulfuric acid 98%
LDPE at 20C°-50C° shows little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure. HDPE at 20C° shoes effect after 7 days and is not recommended for use at 50C°.
Tannic acid
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Tetrahydrofuran
HDPE and LDPE at 20C° show some effect after 7 day of constant exposure. HDPE and LDPE at 50C° show immediate damage and are not recommended.
Toluene
LDPE at 20C° show some effect after 7 day of constant exposure. HDPE at 20C°-50C° and LDPE at 50C° show immediate damage and are not recommended.
Trichloracetic acid
HDPE and LDPE at 20C° show some effect after 7 day of constant exposure. HDPE and LDPE at 50C° show immediate damage and are not recommended.
Trichlorethane
Immediate damage may occur. Not recommended for continuous use.
Turpentine oil
HDPE -57-1.html"> HDPE and LDPE at 20C° show some effect after 7 day of constant exposure. HDPE and LDPE at 50C° show immediate damage and are not recommended.
Urea
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Xylene
HDPE at 20C° shows some effect after 7 day of constant exposure. LDPE at 20-50C° and HDPE at 50C° show immediate damage and are not recommended.
Zinc chloride
LDPE and HDPE at 20C°-50C° show little or no damage after 30 days of constant exposure.
Please note that these charts are for reference only. Many factors can affect the chemical resistance of a given plastic product, and it is your responsibility to do a test under your own conditions to ensure that the product you are using is fully compatible with your usage.