BE-15 Pipes and Materials: Welding of Plastic Pipes

Fundamentals concerning plastics

Chemical resistance of plastics

Table: 
General chemical resistance of plastics according to [Bos00]

Material Abbreviation General chemical resistance
Polyvinyl chloride PVC-U Resistance to most acids, alkaline solutions, salt solutions and organic compounds mixable with water. Non-resistant to aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons.
Polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated PVC-C Similar to PVC-U but up to a temperature of 90 °C.
Polyethylene HD-PE Resistant to aqueous solutions of acids, alkaline solutions and salts as well as a huge number of organic solvents. Unsuitable for concentrated oxidising acids. Non-resistant to aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons.
Polyethylene, cross-linked PE-X Similar to HD-PE but applicable at higher temperatures.
Polypropylene PP Similar to HD-PE but applicable at higher temperatures.
Polybutylene PB Similar to HD-PE but applicable at higher temperatures.
Polyvinylidene fluoride PVDF Resistant to acids, salt solutions, aliphatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons, alcohols and halogens. Only suitable to a limited extent for ketones, aether, organic bases and alkaline solutions.
Ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene ECTFE Similar to PVDF; in addition, high resistance to alkaline solutions above pH 11.
Polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE Resistant to all chemicals of this list.
Glass-fibre-reinforced plastics GRP Different resistance depending on thermosetting resins used.

 

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