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HDPE and Dioxane: Chemical Resistance

High-density polyethylene

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
concentration not statedBB

Material comparison at 20 °C

Dioxane: Material comparison at 20 °CHDPE: B (highlighted); Aluminium: A; ECTFE/ETFE: A; FEP: A; Nylon (PA): A; PETG: A.Aluminium: AECTFE/ETFE: AFEP: ANylon (PA): APETG: AAcetal (POM): APTFE: ASS 304: ASS 316: AEPDM: BHDPE: BHDPELDPE: BPMP: BPolysulfone: BPP: CPVC Rigid: CPVDF: CViton (FPM): DNBR: DPolycarbonate: DPolystyrene: DPVC Flexible: DSAN: 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

HDPE shows good but limited resistance (B) to Dioxane at 20 °C. The material can be used in contact with this chemical, but minor effects such as slight swelling or a small reduction in mechanical properties may occur over extended exposure periods. Regular inspection of components in service is advisable. 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

Dioxane is commonly encountered in cleaning and degreasing and coatings and paints. HDPE (High-density polyethylene) is a thermoplastic typically used for tanks, piping, containers and liners. Since Dioxane is flammable, material selection must also consider the risk of static charge buildup and the need for proper grounding in storage and transfer systems.

Practical recommendation

HDPE is suitable for use with Dioxane under normal conditions, but some minor effects on the material are expected over time. Periodic monitoring for swelling, softening, or weight change is recommended, especially for long-service components. For safety-critical or long-life applications, consider Nylon (PA), PETG, Acetal (POM) instead, which are rated A for this chemical.

Did you know?

The chemical resistance of HDPE depends not only on the chemical concentration but also on exposure time, mechanical stress, and the presence of other chemicals in the mixture.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Thermoplastics
LDPE B, Nylon (PA) A, Acetal (POM) A, Polysulfone B, PETG A, PMP B
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, FEP A, ECTFE/ETFE A
Elastomers
EPDM B
Metals
SS 316 A, SS 304 A, Aluminium A

About HDPE

High-density polyethylene resists most aqueous acids, alkalis and salt solutions. Strong oxidising acids, chlorinated solvents and aromatic hydrocarbons attack or swell it. Continuous service is usually limited to about 80 °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.