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Hydrochloric Acid Chemical Resistance

Resistance ratings for 24 plastics, elastomers and metals at 20 °C and 50 °C. Listed at 4 concentrations, because the rating depends on it.

At a glance

Based on the row for 35 %, 20 °C.

Rated A, very good resistance
PTFE, HDPE, PP, PVDF, Viton (FPM), LDPE, FEP, ECTFE/ETFE, Polysulfone, PMP, SAN (11)
Rated B, good resistance
PVC Rigid (1)
Rated C, limited resistance
EPDM, PVC Flexible, Polystyrene (3)
Rated D, not resistant
NBR, SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium, Nylon (PA), Acetal (POM), Polycarbonate, PETG (8)
No data in the source
Silicone
Rated lower at 50 °C than at 20 °C
PP (A → B), PVC Rigid (B → C), Viton (FPM) (A → B), PMP (A → B), SAN (A → C)
Rating changes with concentration (20 °C)
PVC Rigid: A (1-5 %), B (35 %); EPDM: A (1-5 %), C (35 %); NBR: C (1-5 %), D (20 %); Polycarbonate: A (1-5 %), D (35 %); Polystyrene: A (1-5 %), C (35 %); PETG: B (1-5 %), D (35 %)

Based on the row for 35 %, 20 °C.

Rating profile by material family

Hydrochloric Acid: Rating profile by material familyThermoplastics: 6 A, 1 B, 2 C, 4 D. Fluoropolymers: 4 A. Elastomers: 1 A, 1 C, 1 D, 1 no data. Metals: 3 D.Thermoplastics (13)Thermoplastics: 6 × A, very good resistance (HDPE, LDPE, PP, PMP, SAN, Polysulfone)A 6Thermoplastics: 1 × B, good resistance (PVC Rigid)Thermoplastics: 2 × C, limited resistance (PVC Flexible, Polystyrene)C 2Thermoplastics: 4 × D, not resistant (Polycarbonate, PETG, Acetal (POM), Nylon (PA))D 4Fluoropolymers (4)Fluoropolymers: 4 × A, very good resistance (PTFE, FEP, PVDF, ECTFE/ETFE)A 4Elastomers (4)Elastomers: 1 × A, very good resistance (Viton (FPM))A 1Elastomers: 1 × C, limited resistance (EPDM)C 1Elastomers: 1 × D, not resistant (NBR)D 1Elastomers: 1 × no data (Silicone)– 1Metals (3)Metals: 3 × D, not resistant (SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium)D 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

Hydrochloric Acid: Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °CPP A → B; PVC Rigid B → C; PMP A → B; SAN A → C; Viton (FPM) A → B.ABCDPP: 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 °CPMPSAN: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CSANViton (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
7647-01-0
Formula
HCl
Hazard symbols in the source
C (corrosive) (pre-GHS European symbols; check the current safety data sheet)
Concentrations listed
1-5 %; 20 %; 35 %; concentrated
Name in the source (German)
Salzsäure

Rating by concentration

Hydrochloric Acid: Rating by concentrationHDPE: 1-5 % A, 20 % A, 35 % A, concentrated A. LDPE: 1-5 % A, 20 % A, 35 % A, concentrated A. PP: 1-5 % A, 20 % A, 35 % A→B, concentrated A→B. PVC Rigid: 1-5 % A, 20 % A→C, 35 % B→C, concentrated B→C. PVC Flexible: 1-5 % –, 20 % –, 35 % C, concentrated C. PMP: 1-5 % A→B, 20 % A→B, 35 % A→B, concentrated A→B. Polystyrene: 1-5 % A, 20 % A, 35 % C, concentrated C. SAN: 1-5 % A→C, 20 % –, 35 % A→C, concentrated A→C. Polycarbonate: 1-5 % A, 20 % B→C, 35 % D, concentrated D. PETG: 1-5 % B*, 20 % C, 35 % D*, concentrated D*. Acetal (POM): 1-5 % D, 20 % D, 35 % D, concentrated D. Nylon (PA): 1-5 % D, 20 % D, 35 % D, concentrated D. Polysulfone: 1-5 % A, 20 % A, 35 % A, concentrated A. PTFE: 1-5 % A, 20 % A, 35 % A, concentrated A. FEP: 1-5 % A, 20 % A, 35 % A, concentrated A. PVDF: 1-5 % A, 20 % A, 35 % A, concentrated A. ECTFE/ETFE: 1-5 % A, 20 % A, 35 % A, concentrated A. EPDM: 1-5 % A, 20 % A, 35 % C, concentrated C. Viton (FPM): 1-5 % A, 20 % A, 35 % A→B, concentrated A→B. NBR: 1-5 % C→D, 20 % D, 35 % D, concentrated D. SS 316: 1-5 % D, 20 % D, 35 % D, concentrated D. SS 304: 1-5 % D, 20 % D, 35 % D, concentrated D. Aluminium: 1-5 % D, 20 % D, 35 % D, concentrated D.1-5 %20 %35 %concentrat…THERMOPLASTICSHDPEHDPE, 1-5 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAHDPE, 20 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAHDPE, 35 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAHDPE, concentrated: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CALDPELDPE, 1-5 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CALDPE, 20 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CALDPE, 35 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CALDPE, concentrated: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPPPP, 1-5 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPP, 20 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPP, 35 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPP, concentrated: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPVC RigidPVC Rigid, 1-5 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVC Rigid, 20 %: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CPVC Rigid, 35 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPVC Rigid, concentrated: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPVC FlexiblePVC Flexible, 1-5 %: no data–PVC Flexible, 20 %: no data–PVC Flexible, 35 %: C at 20 °C, C at 50 °CCPVC Flexible, concentrated: C at 20 °C, C at 50 °CCPMPPMP, 1-5 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPMP, 20 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPMP, 35 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPMP, concentrated: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPolystyrenePolystyrene, 1-5 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPolystyrene, 20 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPolystyrene, 35 %: C at 20 °C, C at 50 °CCPolystyrene, concentrated: C at 20 °C, C at 50 °CCSANSAN, 1-5 %: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CSAN, 20 %: no data–SAN, 35 %: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CSAN, concentrated: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CPolycarbonatePolycarbonate, 1-5 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPolycarbonate, 20 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPolycarbonate, 35 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolycarbonate, concentrated: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPETGPETG, 1-5 %: B at 20 °C (estimate)B*PETG, 20 %: C at 20 °CCPETG, 35 %: D at 20 °C (estimate)D*PETG, concentrated: D at 20 °C (estimate)D*Acetal (POM)Acetal (POM), 1-5 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAcetal (POM), 20 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAcetal (POM), 35 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAcetal (POM), concentrated: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNylon (PA)Nylon (PA), 1-5 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNylon (PA), 20 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNylon (PA), 35 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNylon (PA), concentrated: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolysulfonePolysulfone, 1-5 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPolysulfone, 20 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPolysulfone, 35 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPolysulfone, concentrated: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFLUOROPOLYMERSPTFEPTFE, 1-5 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPTFE, 20 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPTFE, 35 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPTFE, concentrated: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEPFEP, 1-5 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEP, 20 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEP, 35 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEP, concentrated: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVDFPVDF, 1-5 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVDF, 20 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVDF, 35 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVDF, concentrated: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAECTFE/ETFEECTFE/ETFE, 1-5 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAECTFE/ETFE, 20 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAECTFE/ETFE, 35 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAECTFE/ETFE, concentrated: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAELASTOMERSEPDMEPDM, 1-5 %: A at 20 °CAEPDM, 20 %: A at 20 °CAEPDM, 35 %: C at 20 °CCEPDM, concentrated: C at 20 °CCViton (FPM)Viton (FPM), 1-5 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAViton (FPM), 20 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAViton (FPM), 35 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BViton (FPM), concentrated: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BNBRNBR, 1-5 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DNBR, 20 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNBR, 35 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNBR, concentrated: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDMETALSSS 316SS 316, 1-5 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDSS 316, 20 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDSS 316, 35 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDSS 316, concentrated: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDSS 304SS 304, 1-5 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDSS 304, 20 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDSS 304, 35 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDSS 304, concentrated: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAluminiumAluminium, 1-5 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAluminium, 20 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAluminium, 35 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAluminium, concentrated: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CD
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
Material1-5 %20 %35 %concentrated
Thermoplastics
HDPEAAAA
LDPEAAAA
PPAAAA
PVC RigidAABB
PVC Flexible––CC
PMPAAAA
PolystyreneAACC
SANA–AA
PolycarbonateABDD
PETGB*CD*D*
Acetal (POM)DDDD
Nylon (PA)DDDD
PolysulfoneAAAA
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAAAA
FEPAAAA
PVDFAAAA
ECTFE/ETFEAAAA
Elastomers
EPDMAACC
Viton (FPM)AAAA
NBRCDDD
Silicone––––
Metals
SS 316DDDD
SS 304DDDD
AluminiumDDDD

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Resistance table: Hydrochloric Acid, 1-5 %

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEAA
LDPEAA
PPAA
PVC RigidAA
PMPAB
PolystyreneAA
SANAC
PolycarbonateAA
PETGB*–
Acetal (POM)DD
Nylon (PA)DD
PolysulfoneAA
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMA–
Viton (FPM)AA
NBRCD
Metals
SS 316DD
SS 304DD
AluminiumDD

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

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

Resistance table: Hydrochloric Acid, 20 %

Remark: Chlorwasserstoffsäure

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEAA
LDPEAA
PPAA
PVC RigidAC
PMPAB
PolystyreneAA
SAN–C
PolycarbonateBC
PETGC–
Acetal (POM)DD
Nylon (PA)DD
PolysulfoneAA
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMA–
Viton (FPM)AA
NBRDD
Metals
SS 316DD
SS 304DD
AluminiumDD

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

Resistance table: Hydrochloric Acid, 35 %

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEAA
LDPEAA
PPAB
PVC RigidBC
PVC FlexibleCC
PMPAB
PolystyreneCC
SANAC
PolycarbonateDD
PETGD*–
Acetal (POM)DD
Nylon (PA)DD
PolysulfoneAA
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMC–
Viton (FPM)AB
NBRDD
Metals
SS 316DD
SS 304DD
AluminiumDD

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

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

Resistance table: Hydrochloric Acid, concentrated

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEAA
LDPEAA
PPAB
PVC RigidBC
PVC FlexibleCC
PMPAB
PolystyreneCC
SANAC
PolycarbonateDD
PETGD*–
Acetal (POM)DD
Nylon (PA)DD
PolysulfoneAA
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMC–
Viton (FPM)AB
NBRDD
Metals
SS 316DD
SS 304DD
AluminiumDD

* 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 Hydrochloric Acid at high concentrations?

The materials with an A rating (resistant) for Hydrochloric Acid at 20 °C are: PTFE, HDPE, PP, PVDF, Viton (FPM), LDPE, FEP, ECTFE/ETFE. These can generally be used in direct contact.

Which materials should be avoided with Hydrochloric Acid?

Materials rated D (not resistant) for Hydrochloric Acid are: NBR, SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium, Nylon (PA), Acetal (POM), Polycarbonate, PETG. These should not be used in contact with Hydrochloric Acid.

Does temperature affect chemical resistance to Hydrochloric Acid?

Yes. 5 of 21 tested materials show a worse rating at 50 °C than at 20 °C for Hydrochloric Acid. Materials affected include: PP, PVC Rigid, Viton (FPM), PMP, SAN.

Is PTFE safe for Hydrochloric Acid?

PTFE is rated A for Hydrochloric 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 Hydrochloric Acid?

Yes. Hydrochloric Acid is tested at 4 concentrations (1-5 %, 20 %, 35 %, concentrated). 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.

Hydrobromic Acid 86 %Hydrofluoric Acid 79 %Phosphoric Acid 73 %Hydrogen Peroxide 70 %Hydrogen Chloride Gas 69 %Battery Acid 68 %