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SS 304 and Chloroacetic Acid: Chemical Resistance

Stainless steel 1.4301 (AISI 304)

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
50 %BD
concentration not statedDD

Material comparison at 20 °C

Chloroacetic Acid: Material comparison at 20 °CSS 304: D (highlighted); ECTFE/ETFE: A; FEP: A; HDPE: A; LDPE: A; PMP: A.ECTFE/ETFE: AFEP: AHDPE: ALDPE: APMP: APP: APTFE: APolystyrene: BEPDM: CViton (FPM): CPolycarbonate: CPVC Rigid: CSAN: CAluminium: DNBR: DNylon (PA): DPETG: DAcetal (POM): DPolysulfone: DPVC Flexible: DPVDF: DSS 304: D304SS 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

The resistance of SS 304 to Chloroacetic Acid is concentration-dependent. Across the 2 tested concentrations (50 %), the 20 °C rating ranges from B 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. However, at 50 °C the resistance rating drops, indicating that temperature must be factored into the design. For heated applications, additional testing under actual service conditions is strongly recommended.

Application context

Chloroacetic Acid is commonly encountered in surface cleaning and metal finishing. SS 304 (Stainless steel 1.4301 (AISI 304)) is a metal typically used for vessels, heat exchangers, fittings and structural components. Because Chloroacetic Acid is classified as corrosive, the choice of containment material is especially critical to prevent leaks, equipment damage, and safety hazards.

Practical recommendation

SS 304 is not recommended for use with Chloroacetic Acid. 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, PMP instead, which are rated A for this chemical and offer reliable long-term performance.

Did you know?

The ratings shown here apply to pure Chloroacetic Acid 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 concentration not stated, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
HDPE A, PP A, LDPE A, Polystyrene B, PMP A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, FEP A, ECTFE/ETFE A

About SS 304

Stainless steel 304 (1.4301) resists oxidising acids and most organic chemicals. Chlorides cause pitting and stress-corrosion cracking.

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.