TECHNICAL LITERATURE:

Polypropylene chemical resistance

Description:

Polypropylene resins, like most polyolefin resins, are highly resistant to solvents and chemicals. They
are appreciably affected by strong inorganic acids such as fuming nitric acid at room temperature and
98% sulfuric acid at 600C.

Attached are chemical resistance data, withdraw from the literature, based on ASTM D 543 – Standard
Practices for Evaluating the Resistance of Plastics to Chemical Reagents. Unstresses test specimens
(dumbbells 76.2 mm length x 0.635 tickness) of PP were immersed during 30 days in the pure
substance.

We emphasize, that thickness, stressed areas, and processing conditions are factors that could also
affect the resin final resistance. Therefore, the only way to estimate the final product resistance is
simulating the real situation, inspecting visually and through tests of mechanical resistance the material
after exposure to chemical products. The tests can be speed up through the exposition to more severe
conditions such as low and high temperatures.

The information provided here is based on Braskem S.A.current knowledge and experience. It should be noted that several factors can affect
the properties of the finished product, such as processing conditions and the use of the final product, which are out of Braskem´s control.
Therefore, the information provided here cannot be used as a guarantee by Braskem, and the transformer is not exempt from the
responsibility of carrying out its own controls and tests on the articles it produces. In case of doubt, request guidance or visit from our
technicians, through the website: www.braskem.com.br

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Rating System

A - negligible effect (should be suitable for all applications where these environmental conditions exist)

B - limited absorption or attack (should be suitable for most applications, but the user is advised to make his or
her own tests to determine the suitability of polypropylene in the particular environmental)

C - extensive absorption and/or rapid permeation (should be suitable for applications where only intermittent
service is involved, or where the swelling produced has no detrimental effect on the part. The user should
make his or her own tests to determine the suitability of polypropylene in the particular environment).

D - extensive attack. The specimen dissolves or disintegrates. Polypropylene is not recommended.

Satd. – saturated aqueous solution.

(a) - May produce cracking in material under stress.

BP - Boiling Point

Temperature (°C) Temperature (°C)

Substance Conc.% Substance Conc.%
20 60 100 20 60 100
Acetic acid (glacial) 97 A B (80°C) - Barium sulfide Satd. A A -
Acetic acid 50 A A (80°C) - Beer A A -
Acetic acid 40 A - - Benzene 100 B C C
Acetic acid 10 A A - Benzoic acid A A -
Acetone 100 A A - Benzyl alcohol A A (80°C) -
Acetophenone 100 B B - Bismuth carbonate Satd. A A -
Acriflavine (2% solution in H20) 2 A A - Borax A A -
Acrylic emulsions A A - Boric acid A A -
Aluminum chloride A A - Brine Satd. A A -
Aluminum fluoride A A - Bromine liquid 100 D - -
Aluminum sulfate A A - Bromine water (a) C - -
Alums (all types) A A - Butyl acetate 100 C C -
Ammonia (aqueous) 30 A - - Butyl alcohol 100 A A -
Ammonia gas (dry) A A - Calcium carbonate Satd. A A -
Ammonium carbonate Satd. A A - Calcium chlorate Satd. A A -
Ammonium chloride Satd. A A - Calcium chloride 50 A A -
Ammonium fluoride 20 A A - Calcium hydroxide A A -
Ammonium hydroxide 10 A A - Calcium hypochlorite bleach 20(a) A B -
Ammonium metaphosphate Satd. A A - Calcium nitrate A A -
Ammonium nitrate Satd. A A - Calcium phosphate 50 A - -
Ammonium persulfate Satd. A A - Calcium sulfate A A -
Ammonium sulfate Satd. A A - Calcium sulfite A A -
Ammonium sulfide Satd. A A - Carbon dioxide (dry) A A -
Ammonium thiocyanate Satd. A A - Carbon dioxide (wet) A A -
Amyl acetate 100 B C - Carbon disulfide 100 B C -
Amyl alcohol 100 A B - Carbon monoxide A A -
Amyl chloride 100 C C - Carbon tetrachloride 100 C C C
Aniline 100 A A - Carbonic acid A A -
Anisole 100 B B - Castor oil A - -
Antimony chloride A A - Cetyl alcohol 100 A - -
Aviation fuel (115/145 octane) 100 B C - Chlorine (gas) 100 D D -
Aviation turbine fuel 100 B C - Chlorobenzene 100 C C -
Barium carbonate Satd. A A - Chloroform 100 C D D
Barium chloride Satd. A A - Chlorosulfonic acid 100 D D D
Barium hydroxide A A - Chrome alum A A -
Barium sulfate Satd. A A - Chromic acid 80(a) A - -

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Temperature (°C) Temperature (°C)

Substance Conc.% Substance Conc.%
20 60 100 20 60 100
(a) Hydrogen peroxide 10 A B -
Chromic acid 50 A A -
Chromic acid 10(a)
A A - Hydrogen peroxide 3 A - -
Chromic/sulfuric acid D D - Hydrogen sulfide A A -
Cider A A - Hydroquinone A A -
Citric acid 10 A A - Inks A A -
Copper chloride Satd. A A - Iodine tincture A - -
Copper cyanide Satd. A A - Isooctane 100 C C -
Copper fluoride Satd. A A - Isopropyl alcohol 100 A A -
Copper nitrate Satd. A A - Ketones A - -
Copper sulfate Satd. A A - Lactic acid 20 A A -
Cottonseed oil A A - Lanolin 100 A A -
Cuprous chloride Satd. A A - Lead acetate Satd. A A -
Cyclohexanol 100 A B - Linseed oil 100 A A -
Cyclohexanone 100 B C - Lubricating oil 100 A B -
Decalin 100 C C C Magenta dye (aqueous solution) 2 A A (staining) -
Detergents 2 A A A Magnesium carbonate Satd. A A -
Developers (photographic) A A - Magnesium chloride Satd. A A -
Dibutyl phthalate 100 A B D Magnesium hydroxide Satd. A A -
Dichloroethylene 100 A - - Magnesium nitrate Satd. A A -
Diethanolamine 100 A A - Magnesium sulfate Satd. A A -
Diisooctyl phthalate 100 A A - Magnesium sulfite Satd. A A -
Emulsifiers A A - Meat juices A A -
Ethanolamine 100 A A - Mercuric chloride 40 A A -
Ethyl acetate 100 B B - Mercuric cyanide Satd. A A -
Ethyl alcohol 96 A A(80°C) - Mercurous nitrate Satd. A A -
Ethyl chloride 100 C C - Mercury 100 A A -
Ethylene dichloride 100 B - - Methyl alcohol 100 A A -
Ethylene glycol A A - Methylene chloride 100 A - -
Ethylene oxide 100 B(10°C) - - Methyl ethyl ketone 100 A B -
Ethyl ether 100 B - - Milk and its products A A A
Fatty acids (C6) 100 A A - Mineral oil 100 A B -
Ferric chloride Satd. A A - Molasses A A -
Ferric nitrate Satd. A A - Motor oil 100 A B -
Ferric sulfate Satd. A A - Naphthalene 100 A A A
Ferrous chloride Satd. A A - Nickel chloride Satd. A A -
Ferrous sulfate Satd. A A - Nickel nitrate Satd. A A -
Fluorosilicic acid A A - Nickel sulfate Satd. A A -
Formaldehyde 40 A A - Nitric acid Fuming D D D
Formic acid 100 A - - Nitric acid 70(a) C D -
Formic acid 10 A A - Nitric acid 60 A D(80°C) -
Fructose A A - Nitric acid 10 A A A
Fruit juices A A - 50-50 HNO3-HCI (a) B D(80°C) -
Furfural 100 C C - 50-50 HNO3-H2S04 (a) C D(80°C) -
Gas liquor C - - Nitrobenzene 100 A A -
Gasoline 100 B C C Oleic acid A B -
Gearbox oil 100 A B - Oleum - - D
Gelatin A A - Olive oil 100 A A -
Glucose 20 A A - Oxalic acid (aqueous) 50 A B -
Glycerin 100 A A A Paraffin 100 A B -
Glycol A A - Paraffin wax 100 A A -
Hexane 100 A B - Petrol 100 B C -
Hydrobromic acid 50(a) A A - Petroleum ether (BP: 100°-140°C) 100 C C -
Hydrochloric acid 30(a) A B D Phenol 100 A A -
Phosphoric acid 95 A A -
Hydrochloric acid 20 A A(80°C) -
Plating solutions, brass A A -
Hydrochloric acid 10 A A(80°C) B
Plating solutions, cadmium A A -
Hydrochloric acid 2 A A A
Plating solutions, chromium A A -
50-50 HCI-HNO3 (a) B D(80°C) -
Plating solutions, copper A A -
Hydrofluoric acid 40 A - -
Plating solutions, gold A A -
Hydrofluoric acid 60(a) A A(40°C) -
Plating solutions, indium A A -
Hydrogen chloride gas (dry) 100 A A -
Plating solutions, lead A A -
Hydrogen peroxide 30 A - D

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Temperature (°C) Temperature (°C)

Substance Conc.% Substance Conc.%
20 60 100 20 60 100
Plating solutions, nickel A A - Sodium fluoride Satd. A A -
Plating solutions, rhodium A A - Sodium hydroxide 50 A A -
Plating solutions, silver A A - Sodium hydroxide 10 A A A
Plating solutions, tin A A - Sodium hypochlorite 20 A B B
Plating solutions, zinc A A - Sodium nitrate A A -
Potassium bicarbonate Satd. A A - Sodium nitrite A A -
Potassium borate 1 A A - Sodium silicate A A -
Potassium bromate 10 A A - Sodium sulfate Satd. A A -
Potassium bromide Satd. A A - Sodium sulfide 25 A A -
Potassium carbonate Satd. A A - Sodium sulfite Satd. A A -
Potassium chlorate Satd. A A - Stannic chloride Satd. A A -
Potassium chloride Satd. A A - Stannous chloride Satd. A A -
Potassium chromate 40 A A - Starch A A -
Potassium cyanide Satd. A A - Sugars and syrups A A -
Potassium dichromate 40 A A - Sulfamic acid A A(80°C) -
Potassium ferri-/ferrocyanide A A - Sulfates of calcium and
Satd. A A -
magnesium
Potassium fluoride A A -
Sulfates of potassium and sodium Satd. A A -
Potassium hydroxide 50 A A -
Sulfur A A -
Potassium hydroxide 10 A A A
Sulfuric acid 98(a) C - D
Potassium nitrate Satd. A A -
Sulfuric acid 60 A B(80°C) -
Potassium perborate Satd. A A -
Sulfuric acid 50 A B -
Potassium perchlorate 10 A A -
Sulfuric acid 10 A A A
Potassium permanganate 20 A A -
50-50 H2SO4/HNO3 (a) C D(80°C) -
Potassium sulfate A A -
Tallow A A -
Potassium sulfide A A -
Tannic acid 10 A A -
Potassium sulfite A A -
Tartaric acid A A -
Propyl alcohol 100 A A -
Tetrahydrofuran 100 C C C
Pyridine 100 A - -
Tetralin 100 C C C
Silicone oil 100 A A -
Toluene 100 C C -
Soap solution (concentrated) A A -
Transformer oil 100 A C -
Sodium acetate A A -
Trichloroacetic acid 10 A A -
Sodium bicarbonate Satd. A A -
Trichloroethylene 100 A A(80°C) -
Sodium bisulfate Satd. A A -
Turpentine 100 C C C
Sodium bisulfite Satd. A A -
Urea A A -
Sodium borate A A -
Urine A A -
Sodium bromide oil solution A A -
Water (distilled, soft, hard and vapor) A A A
Sodium carbonate Satd. A A -
Wet chlorine gas - D(70°C) -
Sodium chlorate Satd. A A -
Whiskey A A A
Sodium chloride Satd. A A A
White Paraffin 100 A B(80°C) -
Sodium chlorite 2 A A(80°C) -
White spirit 100 B C -
Sodium chlorite 5 A(80°C) A -
Wines A A -
Sodium chlorite 10 A(80°C) A -
Xylene 100 C C C
Sodium chlorite 20 A(80°C) A -
Yeast A A -
Sodium cyanide Satd. A A -
Zinc chloride Satd. A A -
Sodium dichromate Satd. A A -
Zinc oxide A A -
Sodium ferricyanide Satd. A A -
Zinc sulfate Satd. A A -
Sodium ferrocyanicle Satd. A A -

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