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PMP and Aqua Regia: Chemical Resistance

Polymethylpentene (TPX)

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
concentration not statedCC

Material comparison at 20 °C

Aqua Regia: Material comparison at 20 °CPMP: C (highlighted); ECTFE/ETFE: A; PTFE: A; FEP: B; PVDF: C; SAN: C.ECTFE/ETFE: APTFE: AFEP: BPMP: CPMPPVDF: CSAN: CAluminium: DEPDM: DViton (FPM): DHDPE: DLDPE: DNBR: DNylon (PA): DPolycarbonate: DPETG: DAcetal (POM): DPP: DPolystyrene: DPolysulfone: DPVC Rigid: DPVC Flexible: DSS 304: DSS 316: 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

PMP has limited resistance (C) to Aqua Regia at 20 °C. This indicates that the chemical has a noticeable effect on the material, which may include visible swelling, softening, or a measurable loss of tensile strength. Use is generally limited to short-term or intermittent contact where full structural integrity is not required. 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

Aqua Regia is commonly encountered in metal finishing and chemical processing. PMP (Polymethylpentene (TPX)) is a thermoplastic typically used for tanks, piping, containers and liners. Because Aqua Regia is classified as corrosive, the choice of containment material is especially critical to prevent leaks, equipment damage, and safety hazards.

Practical recommendation

PMP has limited resistance to Aqua Regia and should only be used for short-term or intermittent contact at ambient temperature. The C rating means the material undergoes noticeable changes — swelling, loss of strength, or surface degradation — that make it unsuitable for permanent installations. For prolonged or continuous exposure, ECTFE/ETFE, PTFE offer significantly better resistance and are rated A.

Did you know?

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

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, FEP B, ECTFE/ETFE 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.