At a glance
Based on the row for 70 %, 20 °C.
- Rated A, very good resistance
- PTFE, HDPE, PP, EPDM, SS 316, SS 304, LDPE, FEP (8)
- Rated B, good resistance
- PVDF, NBR, Aluminium, Polycarbonate (4)
- Rated C, limited resistance
- Viton (FPM), Acetal (POM) (2)
- Rated D, not resistant
- Nylon (PA) (1)
- No data in the source
- PVC Rigid, ECTFE/ETFE, Silicone, PVC Flexible, Polystyrene, Polysulfone, PETG, PMP, SAN
- Rated lower at 50 °C than at 20 °C
- SS 316 (A → C), SS 304 (A → C)
- Rating changes with concentration (20 °C)
- PVDF: A (37 %), B (70 %); Viton (FPM): B (37 %), C (70 %); NBR: A (37 %), B (70 %); Aluminium: A (37 %), B (70 %)
Based on the row for 70 %, 20 °C.
Rating profile by material family
Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °C
Substance
- CAS number
- 79-14-1
- Formula
- C2H4O3
- Hazard symbols in the source
- Xn (harmful) (pre-GHS European symbols; check the current safety data sheet)
- Concentrations listed
- 37 %; 70 %
- Also listed as
- Hydroxyacetic acid
- Name in the source (German)
- Glycolsäure
Rating by concentration
Show as a table
| Material | 37 % | 70 % |
|---|---|---|
| Thermoplastics | ||
| HDPE | A | A |
| LDPE | – | A |
| PP | A | A |
| PVC Rigid | A | – |
| PVC Flexible | – | – |
| PMP | – | – |
| Polystyrene | – | – |
| SAN | – | – |
| Polycarbonate | B* | B* |
| PETG | – | – |
| Acetal (POM) | C* | C* |
| Nylon (PA) | D | D |
| Polysulfone | – | – |
| Fluoropolymers | ||
| PTFE | A | A |
| FEP | A | A |
| PVDF | A | B* |
| ECTFE/ETFE | – | – |
| Elastomers | ||
| EPDM | A | A |
| Viton (FPM) | B | C |
| NBR | A | B* |
| Silicone | – | – |
| Metals | ||
| SS 316 | A | A |
| SS 304 | A | A |
| Aluminium | A | B* |
* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature
Resistance table: Glycolic Acid, 37 %
| Material | 20 °C | 50 °C | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermoplastics | |||
| HDPE | A | A | |
| PP | A | A | |
| PVC Rigid | A | – | |
| Polycarbonate | B* | – | |
| Acetal (POM) | C* | – | |
| Nylon (PA) | D | D | |
| Fluoropolymers | |||
| PTFE | A | A | |
| FEP | A | A | |
| PVDF | A | C | |
| Elastomers | |||
| EPDM | A | – | |
| Viton (FPM) | B | – | |
| NBR | A | – | |
| Metals | |||
| SS 316 | A | C | |
| SS 304 | A | C | |
| Aluminium | A | – | |
* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature
Not rated in the source, so not in the table: LDPE, PVC Flexible, PMP, Polystyrene, SAN, PETG, Polysulfone, ECTFE/ETFE, Silicone
Resistance table: Glycolic Acid, 70 %
| Material | 20 °C | 50 °C | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermoplastics | |||
| HDPE | A | A | |
| LDPE | A | A | |
| PP | A | A | |
| Polycarbonate | B* | – | |
| Acetal (POM) | C* | – | |
| Nylon (PA) | D | D | |
| Fluoropolymers | |||
| PTFE | A | A | |
| FEP | A | A | |
| PVDF | B* | – | |
| Elastomers | |||
| EPDM | A | – | |
| Viton (FPM) | C | – | |
| NBR | B* | – | |
| Metals | |||
| SS 316 | A | C | |
| SS 304 | A | C | |
| Aluminium | B* | – | |
* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature
Not rated in the source, so not in the table: PVC Rigid, PVC Flexible, PMP, Polystyrene, SAN, PETG, Polysulfone, ECTFE/ETFE, Silicone
Rating scale
- A very good resistance
- B good resistance
- C limited resistance
- D not resistant
- – no data
- K no general statement possible
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 Glycolic Acid at high concentrations?
The materials with an A rating (resistant) for Glycolic Acid at 20 °C are: PTFE, HDPE, PP, EPDM, SS 316, SS 304, LDPE, FEP. These can generally be used in direct contact.
Which materials should be avoided with Glycolic Acid?
Materials rated D (not resistant) for Glycolic Acid are: Nylon (PA). These should not be used in contact with Glycolic Acid.
Does temperature affect chemical resistance to Glycolic Acid?
Yes. 2 of 8 tested materials show a worse rating at 50 °C than at 20 °C for Glycolic Acid. Materials affected include: SS 316, SS 304.
Is PTFE safe for Glycolic Acid?
PTFE is rated A for Glycolic Acid 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 Glycolic Acid?
Yes. Glycolic Acid is tested at 2 concentrations (37 %, 70 %). 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.