ChemicalResistance
ChemicalResistance.org

HDPE and Hydrochloric Acid: Chemical Resistance

High-density polyethylene

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
1-5 %AA
20 %AA
35 %AA
concentratedAA

Material comparison at 20 °C

Hydrochloric Acid: Material comparison at 20 °CHDPE: A (highlighted); ECTFE/ETFE: A; FEP: A; Viton (FPM): A; LDPE: A; PMP: A.ECTFE/ETFE: AFEP: AViton (FPM): AHDPE: AHDPELDPE: APMP: APP: APolysulfone: APTFE: APVDF: ASAN: APVC Rigid: BEPDM: CPolystyrene: CPVC Flexible: CAluminium: DNBR: DNylon (PA): DPolycarbonate: DPETG: DAcetal (POM): DSS 304: DSS 316: 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 excellent resistance to Hydrochloric Acid across all 4 tested concentrations (1-5 %, 20 %, 35 %, concentrated) at 20 °C, making it a reliable choice for storage, transfer, and handling applications involving this chemical at any of the tested strengths. 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

Hydrochloric Acid is commonly encountered in laboratory work and metal finishing. HDPE (High-density polyethylene) is a thermoplastic typically used for tanks, piping, containers and liners. Because Hydrochloric Acid is classified as corrosive, the choice of containment material is especially critical to prevent leaks, equipment damage, and safety hazards.

Practical recommendation

HDPE can be used with confidence for Hydrochloric Acid containment and handling. The A rating indicates that the material shows no significant change in weight, dimensions, or mechanical properties after prolonged contact under test conditions. This holds true at both 20 °C and 50 °C, giving a good safety margin for typical process environments.

Did you know?

Temperature is often the deciding factor when selecting materials for Hydrochloric Acid: even materials rated A at 20 °C may lose performance at elevated temperatures.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for 35 %, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
PP A, PVC Rigid B, LDPE A, Polysulfone A, PMP A, SAN A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, PVDF A, FEP A, ECTFE/ETFE A
Elastomers
Viton (FPM) 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.