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LDPE and Acetic Acid: Chemical Resistance

Low-density polyethylene

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
5 %AC
10 %AA
50 %AA
90 %AB
100 %––

Material comparison at 20 °C

Acetic Acid: Material comparison at 20 °CLDPE: A (highlighted); Aluminium: A; ECTFE/ETFE: A; FEP: A; HDPE: A; PMP: A.Aluminium: AECTFE/ETFE: AFEP: AHDPE: ALDPE: ALDPEPMP: APP: APTFE: APVC Rigid: APVDF: ASS 304: ASS 316: APolysulfone: CEPDM: DViton (FPM): DNBR: DNylon (PA): DPolycarbonate: DPETG: DAcetal (POM): DPolystyrene: DPVC Flexible: DSAN: DSilicone: –
A very good resistanceB good resistanceC limited resistanceD not resistantno data
Each bar is one material. Taller bars indicate better resistance. The highlighted bar is the current material.

Resistance overview

LDPE shows excellent resistance to Acetic Acid across all 4 tested concentrations (5 %, 10 %, 50 %, 90 %) at 20 °C, making it a reliable choice for storage, transfer, and handling applications involving this chemical at any of the tested strengths. However, at 50 °C the resistance rating drops, indicating that temperature must be factored into the design. For heated applications, additional testing under actual service conditions is strongly recommended.

Application context

Acetic Acid is commonly encountered in water treatment and laboratory work. LDPE (Low-density polyethylene) is a thermoplastic typically used for tanks, piping, containers and liners. Because Acetic Acid is classified as corrosive, the choice of containment material is especially critical to prevent leaks, equipment damage, and safety hazards.

Practical recommendation

LDPE can be used with confidence for Acetic Acid containment and handling. The A rating indicates that the material shows no significant change in weight, dimensions, or mechanical properties after prolonged contact under test conditions. At elevated temperatures (50 °C), some reduction in resistance occurs, so periodic inspection is advisable for heated applications. Always verify performance under actual operating conditions before committing to a design.

Did you know?

In industrial practice, LDPE components exposed to Acetic Acid are typically inspected for swelling, discoloration, or loss of mechanical strength as early indicators of chemical attack.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for 90 %, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
HDPE A, PP A, PVC Rigid A, PMP A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, PVDF A, FEP A, ECTFE/ETFE A
Metals
SS 316 A, SS 304 A, Aluminium A

About LDPE

Low-density polyethylene has a similar profile to HDPE but is softer and more permeable, so solvents swell it sooner. Continuous service is usually limited to about 60 °C.

Rating scale

A rating marked * is an estimate in the source, not a test result. An estimate is given as one value without a temperature.

About this data

The ratings come from the chemical resistance list published by Bürkle GmbH, which compiled them from raw-material manufacturers’ data. They describe laboratory tests on the raw material at 20 °C and 50 °C.

A finished part also sees pressure, mechanical stress, welds and mixtures that a laboratory test does not. Treat the rating as a first filter and test under your own conditions before relying on it.