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Aluminium and Chlorine: Chemical Resistance

Aluminium

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
10 % wetDD
97 %C*–

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Material comparison at 20 °C

Chlorine: Material comparison at 20 °CAluminium: C (highlighted); FEP: A; Viton (FPM): A; PTFE: A; PVDF: A; SS 304: A.FEP: AViton (FPM): APTFE: APVDF: ASS 304: ASS 316: AAluminium: CAlEPDM: DHDPE: DLDPE: DNBR: DNylon (PA): DPolycarbonate: DPETG: DPMP: DAcetal (POM): DPP: DPolystyrene: DPolysulfone: DPVC Rigid: DPVC Flexible: DSAN: DECTFE/ETFE: –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 Aluminium to Chlorine is concentration-dependent. Across the 2 tested concentrations (10 % wet, 97 %), 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

Chlorine is commonly encountered in pulp and paper and chemical processing. Aluminium (Aluminium) is a metal typically used for vessels, heat exchangers, fittings and structural components. The compatibility between these two is therefore an important consideration for engineers and procurement teams selecting containment, transfer, or processing equipment.

Practical recommendation

Aluminium has limited resistance to Chlorine 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, FEP, PTFE, PVDF offer significantly better resistance and are rated A.

Did you know?

The ratings shown here apply to pure Chlorine in contact with the base metal. In real-world applications, additives, pigments, and fillers in the material can shift resistance in either direction.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for 97 %, 20 °C.

Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, PVDF A, FEP A
Elastomers
Viton (FPM) A
Metals
SS 316 A, SS 304 A

About Aluminium

Aluminium relies on a thin oxide layer. Strong acids, strong alkalis and mercury compounds destroy that layer.

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.