Rating
| Concentration | 20 °C | 50 °C | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| aqueous | D | D | |
| technical grade | D | D |
Material comparison at 20 °C
Resistance overview
Polycarbonate maintains a consistent rating of D across all 2 tested concentrations (aqueous, technical grade) of Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) at 20 °C. The fact that the rating does not change with concentration within the tested range simplifies material selection, though the boundary conditions beyond this range remain untested. 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 surface cleaning and chemical processing. Polycarbonate (Polycarbonate) 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
Polycarbonate is not recommended for use with Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide). The D rating indicates that the material will suffer rapid and severe degradation, which may include cracking, dissolution, severe swelling, or complete structural failure. Using this combination risks equipment damage, leaks, and potential safety incidents. Consider using HDPE, LDPE, PP instead, which are rated A for this chemical and offer reliable long-term performance.
Did you know?
In industrial practice, Polycarbonate 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, LDPE 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 Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is attacked by alkalis, amines, ketones, esters and many organic solvents, and it stress-cracks under load in contact with them.
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.
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.