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PVC Rigid and Aqua Regia: Chemical Resistance

Rigid (unplasticised) polyvinyl chloride

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
concentration not statedDD

Material comparison at 20 °C

Aqua Regia: Material comparison at 20 °CPVC Rigid: D (highlighted); ECTFE/ETFE: A; PTFE: A; FEP: B; PMP: C; PVDF: C.ECTFE/ETFE: APTFE: AFEP: BPMP: CPVDF: CSAN: CAluminium: DEPDM: DViton (FPM): DHDPE: DLDPE: DNBR: DNylon (PA): DPolycarbonate: DPETG: DAcetal (POM): DPP: DPolystyrene: DPolysulfone: DPVC Rigid: DPVC-UPVC 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

PVC Rigid is not resistant (D) to Aqua Regia and should not be used in direct contact. The chemical is expected to cause rapid degradation, which can include dissolution, cracking, severe swelling, or complete structural failure of the material.

Application context

Aqua Regia is commonly encountered in chemical processing and water treatment. PVC Rigid (Rigid (unplasticised) polyvinyl chloride) 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

PVC Rigid is not recommended for use with Aqua Regia. 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 ECTFE/ETFE, PTFE instead, which are rated A for this chemical and offer reliable long-term performance.

Did you know?

Chemical resistance testing according to DIN and ISO standards typically evaluates weight change, dimensional change, and retention of tensile strength after immersion.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, FEP B, ECTFE/ETFE A

About PVC Rigid

Rigid PVC resists acids, alkalis and salt solutions well. Ketones, esters, aromatic and chlorinated solvents dissolve or swell it. Service temperature is 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.