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Polycarbonate and Ammonium Fluoride: Chemical Resistance

Polycarbonate

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
aqueousC*–
saturatedDD

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Material comparison at 20 °C

Ammonium Fluoride: Material comparison at 20 °CPolycarbonate: D (highlighted); EPDM: A; FEP: A; HDPE: A; LDPE: A; NBR: A.EPDM: AFEP: AHDPE: ALDPE: ANBR: ANylon (PA): APMP: APP: APTFE: APVC Rigid: APVDF: ASS 304: ASS 316: AViton (FPM): BPETG: BAcetal (POM): BAluminium: DPolycarbonate: DPCECTFE/ETFE: –Polystyrene: –Polysulfone: –PVC Flexible: –SAN: –Silicone: –
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 Polycarbonate to Ammonium Fluoride is concentration-dependent. Across the 2 tested concentrations (aqueous, saturated), the 20 °C rating ranges from C at lower concentrations to D at higher ones. This means engineers must verify which concentration their process actually involves before relying on a single rating. The rating remains stable between 20 °C and 50 °C, which means this material can also handle moderately elevated process temperatures without additional risk.

Application context

Ammonium Fluoride is commonly encountered in food processing and electroplating. Polycarbonate (Polycarbonate) is a thermoplastic typically used for tanks, piping, containers and liners. Because Ammonium Fluoride is classified as corrosive, the choice of containment material is especially critical to prevent leaks, equipment damage, and safety hazards.

Practical recommendation

Polycarbonate is not recommended for use with Ammonium Fluoride. The D rating indicates that the material will suffer rapid and severe degradation, which may include cracking, dissolution, severe swelling, or complete structural failure. Using this combination risks equipment damage, leaks, and potential safety incidents. Consider using HDPE, LDPE, Nylon (PA) instead, which are rated A for this chemical and offer reliable long-term performance.

Did you know?

Polycarbonate is commonly chosen for tanks, piping, containers and liners because of its combination of chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and cost-effectiveness.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for saturated, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
HDPE A, PP A, PVC Rigid A, LDPE A, Nylon (PA) A, Acetal (POM) B, PETG B, PMP A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, PVDF A, FEP A
Elastomers
EPDM A, Viton (FPM) B, NBR A
Metals
SS 316 A, SS 304 A

About Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is attacked by alkalis, amines, ketones, esters and many organic solvents, and it stress-cracks under load in contact with them.

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.