Chemical Resistance of Plastics

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nicknitro

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Just trying to help out any noobs. Is there a list of plastics that can disintegrate from storeing acids? I see a lot of Mountain dew containers and such in the hlp needed pictures here.

Thanks,
Nick :shock:
 
Chemical Resistance of Plastic Materials
:arrow: http://www.ides.com/resources/plastic-chemical-resistance.asp
 
interesting,

Standard HDPE containers are not resistant to nitric above 35 percent, and sulfuric at 98 percent. Thanks guys. Great Site too, with the free datasheets as well.

NickNitro
 
Raise your hand if you scrolled straight down to nitric and then up to hydrochloric :lol:
 
Definitely a Keeper!.

Actually, I went looking for storing Krispy Kreme doughnuts in HDPE, but...no luck.

Some people would rate them as a contact poison. :lol:

Shaul
 
Hey All,

In looking at the Chemical Resistance of Plastics chart, thank you for providing it, PVC has poor resistance to direct contact with nitric acid. Does anyone have experience with how PVC reacts over time with the resulting diluted fumes from nitric acid and the other solutions used in gold refining? I've seen that several users here have used PVC for their homemade fume hood ventilation ducting.

I have been considering using PVC for the ducting as well as a scrubber but should I reconsider? Could CPVC be any better suited? CPVC withstands higher temperatures (40-60 degree F over PVC) and has a little better corrosion resistance but it is not UV treated.

CPVC is commonly used in venting high efficiency condensing heating equipment, but the exhaust condensation's acidic content isn't much stronger than regular lemon juice.

My other option, economically speaking, is heavy gauge spiral galvanized sheet metal, coated inside and out with epoxy resin paint.

Thanks!

Don
 
There are plastic 30 gallon and 55 gallon drums, 5 gallon jugs, that chemicals are sold in, also tanks of many sizes, I would look to reuse some container that may be on its way to the city dump, maybe even some old fiberglass tank (well pressure tank, water treatment tank), and use chemical resistant flexible tubing, I do not know the types of tubing I use but it holds up very well to the distilling nitric and the high temperature of this and other gases. And of course you will need to make sure the materials of choice hot up well to the abuse of gasses, liquids, mechanical, temperature, pressure, vacuum, and other abuse you expose it to.

I would stay away from sheet metal (even epoxy coated).

Depending on what your gases and liquids were, some metals can be used with gases and acids, but this normally will depend on concentration of the acids, or liquids involved, and also if oxidizers, or mixtures of these are involved.
(acids can act different to metals depending on concentration. non magnetic stainless
steel hold up well to concentrated nitric acid, but not as well to dilute nitric.
 
butcher said:
There are plastic 30 gallon and 55 gallon drums, 5 gallon jugs, that chemicals are sold in, also tanks of many sizes, I would look to reuse some container that may be on its way to the city dump, maybe even some old fiberglass tank (well pressure tank, water treatment tank), and use chemical resistant flexible tubing, I do not know the types of tubing I use but it holds up very well to the distilling nitric and the high temperature of this and other gases. And of course you will need to make sure the materials of choice hot up well to the abuse of gasses, liquids, mechanical, temperature, pressure, vacuum, and other abuse you expose it to.


Attached, is a chart for chemical resistance of various plastics when used to hold chemicals...

I cannot locate any type of information or data on the effects of AR fumes mixed with room air, passing through specific types of plastics that would be used in ventilation systems. (ie: from hood to scrubber) But it seems as though CPVC might offer the best mix of longevity and cost.

View attachment Chemical Chart for Tanks http.pdf
 
HigginsMechanical said:
But it seems as though CPVC might offer the best mix of longevity and cost.


I have been running my fumehood for several months now and can tell you that pvc stands up to nitric, hcl, and AR quite well.
 

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