At a glance
Based on the row for aqueous, 20 °C.
- Rated A, very good resistance
- PTFE, HDPE, PP, PVDF, PVC Rigid, EPDM, Viton (FPM), SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium, LDPE, FEP, PVC Flexible, Polystyrene (14)
- Rated B, good resistance
- none (0)
- Rated C, limited resistance
- NBR, Nylon (PA) (2)
- Rated D, not resistant
- Acetal (POM), Polycarbonate, PMP (3)
- No data in the source
- ECTFE/ETFE, Silicone, Polysulfone, PETG, SAN
Based on the row for aqueous, 20 °C.
Rating profile by material family
Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °C
No material with a rating at both temperatures changes grade between 20 °C and 50 °C.
Substance
- CAS number
- 74-90-8
- Formula
- HCN
- Hazard symbols in the source
- F+ (extremely flammable), T+ (very toxic) (pre-GHS European symbols; check the current safety data sheet)
- Flammable
- yes
- Concentrations listed
- aqueous; technical grade
- Name in the source (German)
- Blausäure
Rating by concentration
Show as a table
| Material | aqueous | technical grade |
|---|---|---|
| Thermoplastics | ||
| HDPE | A | A |
| LDPE | A | A |
| PP | A | A |
| PVC Rigid | A | A |
| PVC Flexible | A | A |
| PMP | D* | – |
| Polystyrene | A | A |
| SAN | – | – |
| Polycarbonate | D | D |
| PETG | – | – |
| Acetal (POM) | D | D |
| Nylon (PA) | C* | C* |
| Polysulfone | – | – |
| Fluoropolymers | ||
| PTFE | A | A |
| FEP | A | A |
| PVDF | A | A |
| ECTFE/ETFE | – | – |
| Elastomers | ||
| EPDM | A | A |
| Viton (FPM) | A | A |
| NBR | C | C |
| Silicone | – | – |
| Metals | ||
| SS 316 | A | A |
| SS 304 | A | A |
| Aluminium | A* | A |
* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature
Resistance table: Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide), aqueous
| Material | 20 °C | 50 °C | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermoplastics | |||
| HDPE | A | A | |
| LDPE | A | A | |
| PP | A | A | |
| PVC Rigid | A | – | |
| PVC Flexible | A | – | |
| PMP | D* | – | |
| Polystyrene | A | – | |
| Polycarbonate | D | D | |
| Acetal (POM) | D | D | |
| Nylon (PA) | C* | – | |
| Fluoropolymers | |||
| PTFE | A | A | |
| FEP | A | A | |
| PVDF | A | A | |
| Elastomers | |||
| EPDM | A | – | |
| Viton (FPM) | A | – | |
| NBR | C | – | |
| Metals | |||
| SS 316 | A | – | |
| SS 304 | A | – | |
| Aluminium | A* | – | |
* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature
Not rated in the source, so not in the table: SAN, PETG, Polysulfone, ECTFE/ETFE, Silicone
Resistance table: Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide), technical grade
| Material | 20 °C | 50 °C | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermoplastics | |||
| HDPE | A | A | |
| LDPE | A | A | |
| PP | A | A | |
| PVC Rigid | A | C | |
| PVC Flexible | A | – | |
| Polystyrene | A | – | |
| Polycarbonate | D | D | |
| Acetal (POM) | D | D | |
| Nylon (PA) | C* | – | |
| Fluoropolymers | |||
| PTFE | A | A | |
| FEP | A | A | |
| PVDF | A | A | |
| Elastomers | |||
| EPDM | A | – | |
| Viton (FPM) | A | – | |
| NBR | C | – | |
| Metals | |||
| SS 316 | A | – | |
| SS 304 | A | – | |
| Aluminium | A | A | |
* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature
Not rated in the source, so not in the table: PMP, 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 Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) at high concentrations?
The materials with an A rating (resistant) for Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) at 20 °C are: PTFE, HDPE, PP, PVDF, PVC Rigid, EPDM, Viton (FPM), SS 316. These can generally be used in direct contact.
Which materials should be avoided with Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide)?
Materials rated D (not resistant) for Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) are: Acetal (POM), Polycarbonate, PMP. These should not be used in contact with Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide).
Does temperature affect chemical resistance to Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide)?
For Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide), all tested materials maintain the same rating at both 20 °C and 50 °C.
Is PTFE safe for Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide)?
PTFE is rated A for Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) 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 Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide)?
Yes. Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) is tested at 2 concentrations (aqueous, technical grade). 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.