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Formaldehyde Solution Chemical Resistance

Resistance ratings for 24 plastics, elastomers and metals at 20 °C and 50 °C. Listed at 3 concentrations, because the rating depends on it.

At a glance

Based on the row for 40 %, 20 °C.

Rated A, very good resistance
PTFE, HDPE, PP, PVDF, EPDM, SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium, FEP, ECTFE/ETFE, Nylon (PA), Acetal (POM), Polycarbonate, PETG, PMP (15)
Rated B, good resistance
PVC Rigid, LDPE, Polysulfone (3)
Rated C, limited resistance
Viton (FPM), NBR, PVC Flexible (3)
Rated D, not resistant
Polystyrene (1)
No data in the source
Silicone, SAN
Rated lower at 50 °C than at 20 °C
HDPE (A → B), PP (A → B), PVC Rigid (B → C), LDPE (B → C), Nylon (PA) (A → C), Acetal (POM) (A → B), Polycarbonate (A → B), Polysulfone (B → C), PMP (A → B)
Rating changes with concentration (20 °C)
NBR: A (30 %), C (40 %); LDPE: A (10 %), B (40 %); Nylon (PA): A (40 %), C (10 %); Polystyrene: C (10 %), D (30 %)

Based on the row for 40 %, 20 °C.

Rating profile by material family

Formaldehyde Solution: Rating profile by material familyThermoplastics: 7 A, 3 B, 1 C, 1 D, 1 no data. Fluoropolymers: 4 A. Elastomers: 1 A, 2 C, 1 no data. Metals: 3 A.Thermoplastics (13)Thermoplastics: 7 × A, very good resistance (HDPE, PP, PMP, Polycarbonate, PETG, Acetal (POM), Nylon (PA))A 7Thermoplastics: 3 × B, good resistance (LDPE, PVC Rigid, Polysulfone)B 3Thermoplastics: 1 × C, limited resistance (PVC Flexible)Thermoplastics: 1 × D, not resistant (Polystyrene)Thermoplastics: 1 × no data (SAN)Fluoropolymers (4)Fluoropolymers: 4 × A, very good resistance (PTFE, FEP, PVDF, ECTFE/ETFE)A 4Elastomers (4)Elastomers: 1 × A, very good resistance (EPDM)A 1Elastomers: 2 × C, limited resistance (Viton (FPM), NBR)C 2Elastomers: 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

Formaldehyde Solution: Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °CHDPE A → B; LDPE B → C; PP A → B; PVC Rigid B → C; PMP A → B; Polycarbonate A → B; Acetal (POM) A → B; Nylon (PA) A → C; Polysulfone B → C.ABCDHDPE: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CHDPELDPE: B 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 °CPMPPolycarbonate: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CPolycarbonateAcetal (POM): A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CAcetal (POM)Nylon (PA): A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CNylon (PA)Polysulfone: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CPolysulfone
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
50-00-0
Formula
CH2O
Hazard symbols in the source
Xn (harmful) (pre-GHS European symbols; check the current safety data sheet)
Concentrations listed
10 %; 30 %; 40 %
Also listed as
Formalin
Name in the source (German)
Formaldehydlösung

Rating by concentration

Formaldehyde Solution: Rating by concentrationHDPE: 10 % A, 30 % A, 40 % A→B. LDPE: 10 % A, 30 % A, 40 % B→C. PP: 10 % A, 30 % A, 40 % A→B. PVC Rigid: 10 % B→C, 30 % –, 40 % B→C. PVC Flexible: 10 % C, 30 % –, 40 % C. PMP: 10 % A→B, 30 % –, 40 % A→B. Polystyrene: 10 % C→D, 30 % D, 40 % D. SAN: 10 % A→C, 30 % –, 40 % –. Polycarbonate: 10 % A→B, 30 % A→B, 40 % A→B. PETG: 10 % A, 30 % A, 40 % A. Acetal (POM): 10 % A→B, 30 % A→B, 40 % A→B. Nylon (PA): 10 % C, 30 % C, 40 % A→C. Polysulfone: 10 % B→C, 30 % –, 40 % B→C. PTFE: 10 % A, 30 % A, 40 % A. FEP: 10 % A, 30 % A, 40 % A. PVDF: 10 % A, 30 % A, 40 % A. ECTFE/ETFE: 10 % A, 30 % –, 40 % A. EPDM: 10 % A, 30 % A, 40 % A. Viton (FPM): 10 % C, 30 % C, 40 % C. NBR: 10 % B*, 30 % A, 40 % C*. SS 316: 10 % A, 30 % A, 40 % A. SS 304: 10 % A, 30 % A, 40 % A. Aluminium: 10 % A, 30 % A, 40 % A.10 %30 %40 %THERMOPLASTICSHDPEHDPE, 10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAHDPE, 30 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAHDPE, 40 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BLDPELDPE, 10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CALDPE, 30 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CALDPE, 40 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPPPP, 10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPP, 30 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPP, 40 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPVC RigidPVC Rigid, 10 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPVC Rigid, 30 %: no data–PVC Rigid, 40 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPVC FlexiblePVC Flexible, 10 %: C at 20 °C, C at 50 °CCPVC Flexible, 30 %: no data–PVC Flexible, 40 %: C at 20 °C, C at 50 °CCPMPPMP, 10 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPMP, 30 %: no data–PMP, 40 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPolystyrenePolystyrene, 10 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DPolystyrene, 30 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolystyrene, 40 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDSANSAN, 10 %: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CSAN, 30 %: no data–SAN, 40 %: no data–PolycarbonatePolycarbonate, 10 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPolycarbonate, 30 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPolycarbonate, 40 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPETGPETG, 10 %: A at 20 °CAPETG, 30 %: A at 20 °CAPETG, 40 %: A at 20 °CAAcetal (POM)Acetal (POM), 10 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BAcetal (POM), 30 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BAcetal (POM), 40 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BNylon (PA)Nylon (PA), 10 %: C at 20 °C, C at 50 °CCNylon (PA), 30 %: C at 20 °C, C at 50 °CCNylon (PA), 40 %: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CPolysulfonePolysulfone, 10 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPolysulfone, 30 %: no data–Polysulfone, 40 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CFLUOROPOLYMERSPTFEPTFE, 10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPTFE, 30 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPTFE, 40 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEPFEP, 10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEP, 30 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEP, 40 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVDFPVDF, 10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVDF, 30 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVDF, 40 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAECTFE/ETFEECTFE/ETFE, 10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAECTFE/ETFE, 30 %: no data–ECTFE/ETFE, 40 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAELASTOMERSEPDMEPDM, 10 %: A at 20 °CAEPDM, 30 %: A at 20 °CAEPDM, 40 %: A at 20 °CAViton (FPM)Viton (FPM), 10 %: C at 20 °CCViton (FPM), 30 %: C at 20 °CCViton (FPM), 40 %: C at 20 °CCNBRNBR, 10 %: B at 20 °C (estimate)B*NBR, 30 %: A at 20 °CANBR, 40 %: C at 20 °C (estimate)C*METALSSS 316SS 316, 10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CASS 316, 30 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CASS 316, 40 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CASS 304SS 304, 10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CASS 304, 30 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CASS 304, 40 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAAluminiumAluminium, 10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAAluminium, 30 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAAluminium, 40 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CA
A very good resistanceB good resistanceC limited resistanceD not resistantno data
Each cell shows the rating at 20 °C. Where the rating at 50 °C differs, it follows the arrow. * marks an estimate in the source.
Show as a table
Material10 %30 %40 %
Thermoplastics
HDPEAAA
LDPEAAB
PPAAA
PVC RigidB–B
PVC FlexibleC–C
PMPA–A
PolystyreneCDD
SANA––
PolycarbonateAAA
PETGAAA
Acetal (POM)AAA
Nylon (PA)CCA
PolysulfoneB–B
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAAA
FEPAAA
PVDFAAA
ECTFE/ETFEA–A
Elastomers
EPDMAAA
Viton (FPM)CCC
NBRB*AC*
Silicone–––
Metals
SS 316AAA
SS 304AAA
AluminiumAAA

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Resistance table: Formaldehyde Solution, 10 %

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEAA
LDPEAA
PPAA
PVC RigidBC
PVC FlexibleCC
PMPAB
PolystyreneCD
SANAC
PolycarbonateAB
PETGA–
Acetal (POM)AB
Nylon (PA)CC
PolysulfoneBC
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMA–
Viton (FPM)C–
NBRB*–
Metals
SS 316AA
SS 304AA
AluminiumAA

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

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

Resistance table: Formaldehyde Solution, 30 %

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEAA
LDPEAA
PPAA
PolystyreneDD
PolycarbonateAB
PETGA–
Acetal (POM)AB
Nylon (PA)CC
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
Elastomers
EPDMA–
Viton (FPM)C–
NBRA–
Metals
SS 316AA
SS 304AA
AluminiumAA

Not rated in the source, so not in the table: PVC Rigid, PVC Flexible, PMP, SAN, Polysulfone, ECTFE/ETFE, Silicone

Resistance table: Formaldehyde Solution, 40 %

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEAB
LDPEBC
PPAB
PVC RigidBC
PVC FlexibleCC
PMPAB
PolystyreneDD
SAN–D
PolycarbonateAB
PETGA–
Acetal (POM)AB
Nylon (PA)AC
PolysulfoneBC
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMA–
Viton (FPM)C–
NBRC*–
Metals
SS 316AA
SS 304AA
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 Formaldehyde Solution at high concentrations?

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

Which materials should be avoided with Formaldehyde Solution?

Materials rated D (not resistant) for Formaldehyde Solution are: Polystyrene. These should not be used in contact with Formaldehyde Solution.

Does temperature affect chemical resistance to Formaldehyde Solution?

Yes. 9 of 18 tested materials show a worse rating at 50 °C than at 20 °C for Formaldehyde Solution. Materials affected include: HDPE, PP, PVC Rigid, LDPE, Nylon (PA), Acetal (POM).

Is PTFE safe for Formaldehyde Solution?

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

Does concentration affect chemical resistance to Formaldehyde Solution?

Yes. Formaldehyde Solution is tested at 3 concentrations (10 %, 30 %, 40 %). Some materials change their rating depending on the concentration.

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.

Sodium Acetate 86 %Propanol 84 %Potassium Sulfate 82 %Sodium Bicarbonate 82 %Ethanol 82 %Acetylene 79 %