ChemicalResistance
ChemicalResistance.org

Butanol Chemical Resistance

Resistance ratings for 24 plastics, elastomers and metals at 20 °C and 50 °C.

At a glance

Based on the row for technical grade, 20 °C.

Rated A, very good resistance
PTFE, HDPE, PP, PVDF, NBR, SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium, LDPE, FEP, ECTFE/ETFE, Nylon (PA), Acetal (POM), Polystyrene, PETG, PMP, SAN (17)
Rated B, good resistance
PVC Rigid, EPDM, Polycarbonate, Polysulfone (4)
Rated C, limited resistance
Viton (FPM) (1)
Rated D, not resistant
PVC Flexible (1)
No data in the source
Silicone
Rated lower at 50 °C than at 20 °C
PP (A → B), PVC Rigid (B → C), Viton (FPM) (C → D), LDPE (A → C), Acetal (POM) (A → B), Polycarbonate (B → C), Polystyrene (A → B), Polysulfone (B → C), PMP (A → B), SAN (A → C)

Based on the row for technical grade, 20 °C.

Rating profile by material family

Butanol: Rating profile by material familyThermoplastics: 9 A, 3 B, 1 D. Fluoropolymers: 4 A. Elastomers: 1 A, 1 B, 1 C, 1 no data. Metals: 3 A.Thermoplastics (13)Thermoplastics: 9 × A, very good resistance (HDPE, LDPE, PP, PMP, Polystyrene, SAN, PETG, Acetal (POM), Nylon (PA))A 9Thermoplastics: 3 × B, good resistance (PVC Rigid, Polycarbonate, Polysulfone)B 3Thermoplastics: 1 × D, not resistant (PVC Flexible)Fluoropolymers (4)Fluoropolymers: 4 × A, very good resistance (PTFE, FEP, PVDF, ECTFE/ETFE)A 4Elastomers (4)Elastomers: 1 × A, very good resistance (NBR)A 1Elastomers: 1 × B, good resistance (EPDM)B 1Elastomers: 1 × C, limited resistance (Viton (FPM))C 1Elastomers: 1 × no data (Silicone)– 1Metals (3)Metals: 3 × A, very good resistance (SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium)A 3
A very good resistanceB good resistanceC limited resistanceD not resistantno data
Number of materials in each family with each rating at 20 °C.

Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °C

Butanol: Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °CLDPE A → C; PP A → B; PVC Rigid B → C; PMP A → B; Polystyrene A → B; SAN A → C; Polycarbonate B → C; Acetal (POM) A → B; Polysulfone B → C; Viton (FPM) C → D.ABCDLDPE: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CLDPEPP: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CPPPVC Rigid: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CPVC RigidPMP: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CPMPPolystyrene: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CPolystyreneSAN: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CSANPolycarbonate: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CPolycarbonateAcetal (POM): A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CAcetal (POM)Polysulfone: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CPolysulfoneViton (FPM): C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CViton (FPM)
20 °C50 °C
Materials whose rating differs between 20 °C and 50 °C. Materials not shown keep their rating or have no 50 °C value.

Substance

CAS number
71-36-3
Formula
C4H10O
Hazard symbols in the source
Xn (harmful) (pre-GHS European symbols; check the current safety data sheet)
Flammable
yes
Concentrations listed
technical grade
Also listed as
Butyl Alcohol
Name in the source (German)
Butanol

Resistance table: Butanol, technical grade

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEAA
LDPEAC
PPAB
PVC RigidBC
PVC FlexibleDD
PMPAB
PolystyreneAB
SANAC
PolycarbonateBC
PETGA–
Acetal (POM)AB
Nylon (PA)A–
PolysulfoneBC
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMB–
Viton (FPM)CD
NBRA–
Metals
SS 316A*–
SS 304A*–
AluminiumAA

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Not rated in the source, so not in the table: Silicone

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which materials resist Butanol at high concentrations?

The materials with an A rating (resistant) for Butanol at 20 °C are: PTFE, HDPE, PP, PVDF, NBR, SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium. These can generally be used in direct contact.

Which materials should be avoided with Butanol?

Materials rated D (not resistant) for Butanol are: PVC Flexible. These should not be used in contact with Butanol.

Does temperature affect chemical resistance to Butanol?

Yes. 10 of 17 tested materials show a worse rating at 50 °C than at 20 °C for Butanol. Materials affected include: PP, PVC Rigid, Viton (FPM), LDPE, Acetal (POM), Polycarbonate.

Is PTFE safe for Butanol?

PTFE is rated A for Butanol at 20 °C. A rating of A means resistant, B means limited resistance, C means partly resistant, and D means not resistant.

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.

Chemicals with a similar resistance profile

Same 20 °C rating on the share of materials shown.