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LDPE and Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide): Chemical Resistance

Low-density polyethylene

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
aqueousAA
technical gradeAA

Material comparison at 20 °C

Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide): Material comparison at 20 °CLDPE: A (highlighted); Aluminium: A; EPDM: A; FEP: A; Viton (FPM): A; HDPE: A.Aluminium: AEPDM: AFEP: AViton (FPM): AHDPE: ALDPE: ALDPEPP: APolystyrene: APTFE: APVC Rigid: APVC Flexible: APVDF: ASS 304: ASS 316: ANBR: CNylon (PA): CPolycarbonate: DPMP: DAcetal (POM): DECTFE/ETFE: –PETG: –Polysulfone: –SAN: –Silicone: –
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

LDPE shows excellent resistance to Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) across all 2 tested concentrations (aqueous, technical grade) 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

Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) is commonly encountered in water treatment and metal finishing. LDPE (Low-density polyethylene) is a thermoplastic typically used for tanks, piping, containers and liners. Since Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) is flammable, material selection must also consider the risk of static charge buildup and the need for proper grounding in storage and transfer systems.

Practical recommendation

LDPE can be used with confidence for Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) 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?

In industrial practice, LDPE components exposed to Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) are typically inspected for swelling, discoloration, or loss of mechanical strength as early indicators of chemical attack.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for aqueous, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
HDPE A, PP A, PVC Rigid A, PVC Flexible A, Polystyrene A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, PVDF A, FEP A
Elastomers
EPDM A, Viton (FPM) A
Metals
SS 316 A, SS 304 A, Aluminium A

About LDPE

Low-density polyethylene has a similar profile to HDPE but is softer and more permeable, so solvents swell it sooner. Continuous service is usually limited to about 60 °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.