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Ethylene Glycol Chemical Resistance

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

At a glance

Ratings at 20 °C.

Rated A, very good resistance
PTFE, HDPE, PP, PVDF, PVC Rigid, EPDM, Viton (FPM), NBR, SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium, LDPE, FEP, ECTFE/ETFE, Acetal (POM), Polystyrene, Polysulfone, PETG, PMP, SAN (20)
Rated B, good resistance
Polycarbonate (1)
Rated C, limited resistance
Nylon (PA), PVC Flexible (2)
Rated D, not resistant
none (0)
No data in the source
Silicone
Rated lower at 50 °C than at 20 °C
Viton (FPM) (A → B), Polycarbonate (B → C)

Rating profile by material family

Ethylene Glycol: Rating profile by material familyThermoplastics: 10 A, 1 B, 2 C. Fluoropolymers: 4 A. Elastomers: 3 A, 1 no data. Metals: 3 A.Thermoplastics (13)Thermoplastics: 10 × A, very good resistance (HDPE, LDPE, PP, PVC Rigid, PMP, Polystyrene, SAN, PETG, Acetal (POM), Polysulfone)A 10Thermoplastics: 1 × B, good resistance (Polycarbonate)Thermoplastics: 2 × C, limited resistance (PVC Flexible, Nylon (PA))C 2Fluoropolymers (4)Fluoropolymers: 4 × A, very good resistance (PTFE, FEP, PVDF, ECTFE/ETFE)A 4Elastomers (4)Elastomers: 3 × A, very good resistance (EPDM, Viton (FPM), NBR)A 3Elastomers: 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

Ethylene Glycol: Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °CPolycarbonate B → C; Viton (FPM) A → B.ABCDPolycarbonate: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CPolycarbonateViton (FPM): A at 20 °C, B 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
107-21-1
Formula
C2H6O2
Hazard symbols in the source
Xn (harmful) (pre-GHS European symbols; check the current safety data sheet)
Also listed as
Glycol
Name in the source (German)
Ethylenglycol

Resistance table

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEAA
LDPEAA
PPAA
PVC RigidAA
PVC FlexibleCC
PMPAA
PolystyreneAA
SANAA
PolycarbonateBC
PETGA–
Acetal (POM)AA
Nylon (PA)CC
PolysulfoneAA
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMA–
Viton (FPM)AB
NBRAA
Metals
SS 316AA
SS 304AA
AluminiumAA

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 Ethylene Glycol at high concentrations?

The materials with an A rating (resistant) for Ethylene Glycol at 20 °C are: PTFE, HDPE, PP, PVDF, PVC Rigid, EPDM, Viton (FPM), NBR. These can generally be used in direct contact.

Does temperature affect chemical resistance to Ethylene Glycol?

Yes. 2 of 21 tested materials show a worse rating at 50 °C than at 20 °C for Ethylene Glycol. Materials affected include: Viton (FPM), Polycarbonate.

Is PTFE safe for Ethylene Glycol?

PTFE is rated A for Ethylene Glycol 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.