Solvent & Chemical Resistance

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INTRODUCTION

Solvent and chemical resistance describes a fibre’s ability to maintain its key physical properties when exposed to chemical agents. The level of resistance is influenced not only by the fibre type and the specific chemical involved, but also by factors such as chemical concentration, exposure temperature and duration, fibre diameter, and applied stress. The following section provides general guidance on solvent and chemical resistance, followed by a more detailed reference table.

MATERIAL INFORMATION

NYLON

Nylon exhibits excellent resistance to a wide range of substances; however, it is susceptible to attack by oxidising agents, organic acids, mineral acids, and aromatic alcohols. It demonstrates strong resistance to hydrocarbons (including petroleum, kerosene, and diesel fuel), as well as to oils, cleaning solutions, and alkalis. Nylon will absorb limited amounts of water, low-molecular-weight alcohols (such as methyl, ethyl, and isopropyl alcohols), and chlorinated solvents, which may result in plasticisation of the material.

POLYESTER

Polyester demonstrates excellent resistance to a wide range of substances, including acids, oxidising agents such as hydrogen peroxide, and most solvents. It also exhibits strong resistance to hydrocarbon fuels, oils, and lubricants. However, polyester is susceptible to degradation when exposed to strong alkalis, including concentrated solutions of sodium hydroxide (lye or caustic soda), calcium hydroxide (lime or mortar), ammonia, trisodium phosphate, and sodium carbonate (washing soda or soda ash).

POLYPROPYLENE

Polypropylene exhibits excellent resistance to most water-soluble chemicals, including relatively strong acids and alkalis, as well as simple hydrocarbons. However, it may be susceptible to attack by oxidising agents such as hydrogen peroxide, chlorinated solvents including 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and aromatic solvents such as xylene, particularly at elevated temperatures.

RATINGS

SATISFACTORY

Green thumbs up

MARGINAL

Yellow illustrated thumb

UNSATISFACTORY

Red illustrated thumb

The material should give good service life when used with this chemical.

Depending on temperature concentration, exposure, expected life, etc. The material may
or may not give adequate performance. Specific testing for the application is recommended, or
contact us for further details.

The material will deteriorate in hours to weeks when used with this chemical.

REAGENTPOLYROPYLENENYLONPOLYESTERNOTES
AcetaldehydeYellow illustrated thumbYellow illustrated thumbYellow illustrated thumb
Acetic Acid 5%Green thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upWill etch Nylon
Acetic Acid 10%Green thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
Acetic Acid 100%Green thumbs upRed illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumbWill dissolve Nylon
AcetoneGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumb
AcetophenoneGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Allyl AlcoholGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Aluminium ChlorideGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
Aluminium SulphateGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Ammonia SolutionGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upaka Ammonium
Hydroxide
Amyl AlcoholGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Amyl Acetate n-Green thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Amyle ChlorideYellow illustrated thumb
Anti-FreezeGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Aqua RegiaGreen thumbs upRed illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumb
Aromatic HydrocarbonsRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumb
Barium CarbonateGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
BenzaldehydeYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
BenzeneRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumb
Benzoic AcidGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Benzyl AcetateYellow illustrated thumb
BoraxGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Boric AcidGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Brake FluidGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Bromine LiquidYellow illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumb
ButanolGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
ButterGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Butyl Acetate isoGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumb
Butyl Acetate n-Green thumbs upGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumb
Butyl Alcohol isoGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Butyl Alcohol n-Green thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Butyl PhthalateGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Calcium ChlorideGreen thumbs upRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
Calcium Hypochlorite
15%
Green thumbs upRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
CamphorRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
Carbon TetrachlorideRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Carbolic Acid 50%Green thumbs upRed illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumbaka Phenol/Solvent
for Nylon
Carbolic Acid 100%Green thumbs upRed illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumbaka Phenol/Solvent
for Nylon
Caster OilGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Caustic SodaGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbYellow illustrated thumbaka Sodium Hydroxide
CellosolveGreen thumbs up
Cellulose AcetateGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Cetyl AlcoholGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
ChlorobenzeneRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumb
ChloroformRed illustrated thumbYellow illustrated thumbYellow illustrated thumbTemporarily softens
Nylon
ChlorineRed illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumb
Chromic AcidGreen thumbs upRed illustrated thumbYellow illustrated thumb
Citric Acid 10%Green thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
Citric Acid 20%Green thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
Citrus OilGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Cocoa ButterGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Cod Liver OilGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Coconut OilGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Copper SaltsYellow illustrated thumbYellow illustrated thumbYellow illustrated thumb
Corn OilGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Cottonseed OilGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
CyclohexaneYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
CyclohexanolGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
CyclohexanoneYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
DecalinRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumb
DetergentsGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
DiacetoneGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumb
Dibutyl SebacateGreen thumbs up
Dichlorobenzene p-Green thumbs upaka Moth Balls
Diethylene GlycolGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbYellow illustrated thumb
DiethylketoneGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumb
Dimethyl FormamideGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
EpichlorohydrinGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumb
EtherGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Ethyl AcetateYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumb
Ethyl Alcohol 95%Green thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upTemporarily softens
Nylon
Ethyl Chloride (Gas
& Liq.)
Yellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
Ethyl EtherGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Ethylene LactateYellow illustrated thumb
Ethylene DichlorideYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumb
Ethylene GlycolGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Ethylene OxideYellow illustrated thumbYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
Ferrous ChlorideGreen thumbs upRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
FormaldehydeGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Formic AcidGreen thumbs upRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upSolvent for Nylon
Furfuryl AlcoholYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
GasolineYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Glucose 30%Green thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
GlycerinGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
Heptyl Alcohol n-Yellow illustrated thumb
HexaneYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Hexyl Alcohol n-Yellow illustrated thumb
Hydrochloric Acid 10%Green thumbs upRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upDissolves Nylon
Hydrochloric Acid 38%Green thumbs upRed illustrated thumbYellow illustrated thumbDissolves Nylon
Hydrofluoric AcidGreen thumbs upRed illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumb
Hydrogen Peroxide 3%Green thumbs upRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
Hydrogen Peroxide 30%Yellow illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
HydroquinoneGreen thumbs upRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
Iodine TinctureGreen thumbs upRed illustrated thumb
REAGENTPOLYROPYLENENYLONPOLYESTERNOTES
Isopropyl AlcoholGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumb
DeroseneYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Lactic Acid 10%Green thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
LanolinGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
LardGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Lauryl AlcoholGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Lemon JuiceGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
Lubricating OilGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
LyeGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbYellow illustrated thumb
Magnesium CarbonateGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Maleic Acid 10%Green thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Mercuric Chloride 5%Green thumbs upRed illustrated thumb
Methyl AcetateYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbTemporarily softens
Nylon
Methyl AlcoholGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upTemporarily softens
Nylon
Methyl ChlorideYellow illustrated thumb
Methyl Ethyl KetoneYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbSoftens Nylon
Methyl Isobutyl KetoneYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upRed illustrated thumb
Methyl Propyl KetoneYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upRed illustrated thumb
Methyl Salicylateaka Oil of Wintergreen
Methylene ChlorideYellow illustrated thumbYellow illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumb
MilkGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Mineral OilYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
MonochlorobenzeneRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumb
Motor OilGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Nitric AcidYellow illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumbYellow illustrated thumb
Nonyl AlcoholGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Octyl AlcoholGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Oils-EssentialYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Oils-VegetableGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Oleic Acid 100%Green thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Orange Juice FreshGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Orange Juice Conc.Green thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Oxalic Acid 10%Green thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
OzoneYellow illustrated thumbYellow illustrated thumbYellow illustrated thumb
Paint ThinnerYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upaka VM & P naphtha
Palm OilGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Palmitic AcidGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Peanut OilGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
PectinGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
PerchloroethyleneRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
Petroleum DistillateYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Petroleum JellyGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Phenol 5%Green thumbs upRed illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumbSolvent for Nylon
Phosphoric Acid 50%Green thumbs upRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
Potassium Hydroxide
30%
Green thumbs upGreen thumbs upRed illustrated thumb
Potassium Hydroxide
35%
Green thumbs upGreen thumbs upRed illustrated thumb
Potassium Hydroxide
50%
Green thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumb
Potassium BromideGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Potassium FerricyanideGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Potassium IodideGreen thumbs up
Potassium PermanganateYellow illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
Potassium ThiocyanateGreen thumbs upRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
Propyl Alcohol iso-Green thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbYellow illustrated thumb
Propylene GlycolGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
ResorcinolRed illustrated thumbSolvent for Nylon
Salicylic AcidGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumb
Silver NitrateGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Sodium AcetateGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Sodium BenzoateGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Sodium BicarbonateGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Sodium BisulphiteGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Sodium BorateGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Sodium BromideGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Sodium CarbonateGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Sodium ChlorideGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Sodium Dichromate 10%Green thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbYellow illustrated thumb
Sodium Hydroxide 40%Green thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumb
Sodium Hypochlorite 5%Yellow illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumbYellow illustrated thumbaka bleach
Sodium TetraborateGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbaka Borax
Sodium ThiosulfateGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upaka Hypo
Stannic ChlorideGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumb
Stearic Acid (pwd.)Green thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Stoddard SolventYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Sucrose 30%Green thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Sulphuric Acid 2%Green thumbs upYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
Sulphuric Acid 50%Green thumbs upRed illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumb
Sulphuric Acid 96%Green thumbs upRed illustrated thumbRed illustrated thumb
Tannic Acid 2%Green thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Tartaric AcidGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Tea (sol.)Green thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
TetrahydrofuranGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
TetralinYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Thionyl ChlorideRed illustrated thumb
TolueneYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumb
Trichloroethylene (1,1,1)Red illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upSoftens Nylon
Trisodium PhosphateGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumb
Triethylene GlycolGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
TurpentineYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
WaterGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
Water CarbonatedGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up
XyleneYellow illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upYellow illustrated thumb
Zinc ChlorideGreen thumbs upRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs up
Zinc Salts in solutionGreen thumbs upRed illustrated thumbGreen thumbs upCracks Nylon
Zinc StearateGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs upGreen thumbs up