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PMP and Acetic Acid: Chemical Resistance

Polymethylpentene (TPX)

Rating

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

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Material comparison at 20 °C

Acetic Acid: Material comparison at 20 °CPMP: A (highlighted); Aluminium: A; ECTFE/ETFE: A; FEP: A; HDPE: A; LDPE: A.Aluminium: AECTFE/ETFE: AFEP: AHDPE: ALDPE: APMP: APMPPP: 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

The resistance of PMP to Acetic Acid is concentration-dependent. Across the 5 tested concentrations (5 %, 10 %, 50 %, 90 %, 100 %), the 20 °C rating ranges from A at lower concentrations to C at higher ones. This means engineers must verify which concentration their process actually involves before relying on a single rating. 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 laboratory work and chemical processing. PMP (Polymethylpentene (TPX)) 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

PMP 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?

Temperature is often the deciding factor when selecting materials for Acetic Acid: even materials rated A at 20 °C may lose performance at elevated temperatures.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for 90 %, 20 °C.

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

About PMP

Polymethylpentene (TPX) is a transparent polyolefin used for labware. It resists many acids and alkalis, while aromatic and chlorinated solvents and strong oxidisers attack it.

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.