Properties of Plastic: Commonly Used Chemicals*
| Product Properties | LDPE | HDPE | PP | PS | ACRYLIC | PTFE | PMP | PVC | PC | PFA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acids-dilute | xxx | xxx | xxx | xxx | xx | xxx | xxx | xxx | xxx | xxx |
| Acids-concentrated | xxx | xxx | xxx | x | ¥ | xxx | xxx | xxx | ¥ | xxx |
| Alcohols | xxx | xxx | xxx | xxx | ¥ | xxx | xxx | xxx | xx | xxx |
| Aldehydes | xx | xx | xx | ¥ | xx | xxx | xx | ¥ | x | xxx |
| Bases | xxx | xxx | xxx | xxx | x | xxx | xxx | xxx | ¥ | xxx |
| Esters | xxx | xx | xx | ¥ | ¥ | xxx | xx | ¥ | ¥ | xxx |
| Hydrocarbons Aliphatic | x | xx | xx | ¥ | xx | xxx | x | xxx | ¥ | xxx |
| Hydrocarbons Aromatics | x | xx | x | ¥ | ¥ | xxx | x | ¥ | ¥ | xxx |
| Hydrocarbons Halogenated | ¥ | x | x | ¥ | ¥ | xxx | ¥ | ¥ | ¥ | xxx |
| Ketones | xx | xx | xx | ¥ | ¥ | xxx | x | ¥ | ¥ | xxx |
| Oils, Minerals | x | xx | xxx | xxx | xxx | xxx | xxx | xxx | xxx | xxx |
| Oil, Vegetable | xx | xx | xx | xx | ¥ | xxx | xx | xx | xx | xxx |
| Oxidizing Agents | x | x | x | ¥ | ¥ | xxx | x | xx | ¥ | xxx |
Chemical Resistance and Physical Properties
These codes are used in the Properties of Plastic chart.
| xxx | Excellent resistance, no attack |
| xx | Good resistance, minor attack |
| x | Limited resistance, moderate attack, suitable for short term use only |
| ¥ | Poor resistance, not recommended |
Definitions
Definitions
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
LPDE is a most useful and widely used
plastic. It is translucent to opaque, robust enough to be virtually unbreakable
and at the same time quite flexible.
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
A linear polymer prepared from ethylene by a catalytic process. It lends itself
particularly well to blow molding, e.g. for bottles and containers.
Polypropylene (PP)
PP is a translucent material with excellent mechanical properties and it has
gradually replaced the polyethylenes for many purposes.
Polystyrene (PS)
A hard rigid, transparent plastic with good dimensional stability.
Polymethylmethacrylate (ACRYLIC)
A rigid plastic with a high degree of transparency. It is resistant to inorganic, acids and alkalis but is attacked by wide range
of organic solvents.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
PFTE shows a remarkable chemical resistance and it is insoluble in all known solvents.
>Polymethylpentene (PMP)
The important qualities of PMP as a laboratory plastic are its high transparency, its rigidity
and resistance to impact and withstand temperatures of up to 200°C for short periods (180°C continuously).
Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
PVC has a linear structure similar to polyethylene but with a chlorine atom
replacing a hydrogen atom on alternate carbon atoms.
Polycarbonate (PC)
PC is a linear polycarbonic acid ester prepared from a dihydric phenol.
Perfluoroalkoxy PTFE (PFA)
PFA is a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene (CF2=CF2) with a perfluoralkyl vinyl ether [F(CF2)m CF20CF=CF2].
This chart was supplied to Daigger by outside sources.
*Warning:These charts are general guidelines only. Customers should consult a reputable source prior to using a specific chemical with a specific plastic part. Ratings of chemical behavior listed in this chart apply at a 48 hr exposure period; Daigger has no knowledge of possible effects beyond this period. Use suitable guards and/or personal protections when handling chemicals.
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