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Hydrofluoric 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 70 %, 20 °C.

Rated A, very good resistance
PTFE, PP, PVDF, PVC Rigid, LDPE, FEP (6)
Rated B, good resistance
none (0)
Rated C, limited resistance
EPDM, Viton (FPM), PVC Flexible (3)
Rated D, not resistant
NBR, SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium, Nylon (PA), Acetal (POM), Polycarbonate, Polystyrene, Polysulfone, PETG (10)
No data in the source
HDPE, ECTFE/ETFE, Silicone, PMP, SAN
Rated lower at 50 °C than at 20 °C
PP (A → C), PVC Rigid (A → D), EPDM (C → D), LDPE (A → C)
Rating changes with concentration (20 °C)
PP: A (4 %), B (100 %); PVC Rigid: A (70 %), B (4 %); Viton (FPM): A (4 %), C (70 %); NBR: B (4 %), D (70 %); SS 316: C (100 %), D (50 %); SS 304: C (100 %), D (50 %); Polycarbonate: B (4 %), D (50 %); PVC Flexible: B (50 %), C (70 %); Polystyrene: B (4 %), D (50 %); Polysulfone: B (4 %), D (70 %)

Based on the row for 70 %, 20 °C.

Rating profile by material family

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

Hydrofluoric Acid: Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °CLDPE A → C; PP A → C; PVC Rigid A → D; EPDM C → D.ABCDLDPE: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CLDPEPP: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CPPPVC Rigid: A at 20 °C, D at 50 °CPVC RigidEPDM: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CEPDM
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
7664-39-3
Formula
HF
Hazard symbols in the source
T (toxic), C (corrosive) (pre-GHS European symbols; check the current safety data sheet)
Concentrations listed
4 %; 50 %; 70 %; 100 %
Also listed as
Hydrofluoric acid solution
Name in the source (German)
Flusssäure

Rating by concentration

Hydrofluoric Acid: Rating by concentrationHDPE: 4 % A, 50 % A, 70 % –, 100 % –. LDPE: 4 % A→B, 50 % A, 70 % A→C, 100 % –. PP: 4 % A→B, 50 % A, 70 % A→C, 100 % B*. PVC Rigid: 4 % B→C, 50 % B→C, 70 % A→D, 100 % –. PVC Flexible: 4 % –, 50 % B, 70 % C, 100 % –. PMP: 4 % A→B, 50 % A, 70 % –, 100 % –. Polystyrene: 4 % B→C, 50 % D, 70 % D, 100 % –. SAN: 4 % –, 50 % C, 70 % –, 100 % –. Polycarbonate: 4 % B→C, 50 % D, 70 % D, 100 % D. PETG: 4 % D, 50 % D, 70 % D, 100 % D. Acetal (POM): 4 % D, 50 % D, 70 % D, 100 % D. Nylon (PA): 4 % D, 50 % D, 70 % D, 100 % D. Polysulfone: 4 % B→C, 50 % C→D, 70 % D, 100 % D. PTFE: 4 % A, 50 % A, 70 % A, 100 % A. FEP: 4 % A, 50 % A, 70 % A*, 100 % A*. PVDF: 4 % A, 50 % A, 70 % A, 100 % –. ECTFE/ETFE: 4 % A, 50 % A, 70 % –, 100 % –. EPDM: 4 % C*, 50 % C→D, 70 % C→D, 100 % C→D. Viton (FPM): 4 % A→C, 50 % A→C, 70 % C*, 100 % C*. NBR: 4 % B*, 50 % C→D, 70 % D, 100 % D. SS 316: 4 % –, 50 % D, 70 % D, 100 % C*. SS 304: 4 % –, 50 % D, 70 % D, 100 % C*. Aluminium: 4 % D, 50 % D, 70 % D, 100 % D.4 %50 %70 %100 %THERMOPLASTICSHDPEHDPE, 4 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAHDPE, 50 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAHDPE, 70 %: no data–HDPE, 100 %: no data–LDPELDPE, 4 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BLDPE, 50 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CALDPE, 70 %: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CLDPE, 100 %: no data–PPPP, 4 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPP, 50 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPP, 70 %: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CPP, 100 %: B at 20 °C (estimate)B*PVC RigidPVC Rigid, 4 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPVC Rigid, 50 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPVC Rigid, 70 %: A at 20 °C, D at 50 °CA→DPVC Rigid, 100 %: no data–PVC FlexiblePVC Flexible, 4 %: no data–PVC Flexible, 50 %: B at 20 °CBPVC Flexible, 70 %: C at 20 °CCPVC Flexible, 100 %: no data–PMPPMP, 4 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPMP, 50 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPMP, 70 %: no data–PMP, 100 %: no data–PolystyrenePolystyrene, 4 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPolystyrene, 50 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolystyrene, 70 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolystyrene, 100 %: no data–SANSAN, 4 %: no data–SAN, 50 %: C at 20 °C, C at 50 °CCSAN, 70 %: no data–SAN, 100 %: no data–PolycarbonatePolycarbonate, 4 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPolycarbonate, 50 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolycarbonate, 70 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolycarbonate, 100 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPETGPETG, 4 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPETG, 50 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPETG, 70 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPETG, 100 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAcetal (POM)Acetal (POM), 4 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAcetal (POM), 50 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAcetal (POM), 70 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAcetal (POM), 100 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNylon (PA)Nylon (PA), 4 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNylon (PA), 50 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNylon (PA), 70 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNylon (PA), 100 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolysulfonePolysulfone, 4 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPolysulfone, 50 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DPolysulfone, 70 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolysulfone, 100 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDFLUOROPOLYMERSPTFEPTFE, 4 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPTFE, 50 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPTFE, 70 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPTFE, 100 %: A at 20 °CAFEPFEP, 4 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEP, 50 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEP, 70 %: A at 20 °C (estimate)A*FEP, 100 %: A at 20 °C (estimate)A*PVDFPVDF, 4 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVDF, 50 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVDF, 70 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVDF, 100 %: no data–ECTFE/ETFEECTFE/ETFE, 4 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAECTFE/ETFE, 50 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAECTFE/ETFE, 70 %: no data–ECTFE/ETFE, 100 %: no data–ELASTOMERSEPDMEPDM, 4 %: C at 20 °C (estimate)C*EPDM, 50 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DEPDM, 70 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DEPDM, 100 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DViton (FPM)Viton (FPM), 4 %: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CViton (FPM), 50 %: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CViton (FPM), 70 %: C at 20 °C (estimate)C*Viton (FPM), 100 %: C at 20 °C (estimate)C*NBRNBR, 4 %: B at 20 °C (estimate)B*NBR, 50 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DNBR, 70 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNBR, 100 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDMETALSSS 316SS 316, 4 %: no data–SS 316, 50 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDSS 316, 70 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDSS 316, 100 %: C at 20 °C (estimate)C*SS 304SS 304, 4 %: no data–SS 304, 50 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDSS 304, 70 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDSS 304, 100 %: C at 20 °C (estimate)C*AluminiumAluminium, 4 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAluminium, 50 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAluminium, 70 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAluminium, 100 %: 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
Material4 %50 %70 %100 %
Thermoplastics
HDPEAA––
LDPEAAA–
PPAAAB*
PVC RigidBBA–
PVC Flexible–BC–
PMPAA––
PolystyreneBDD–
SAN–C––
PolycarbonateBDDD
PETGDDDD
Acetal (POM)DDDD
Nylon (PA)DDDD
PolysulfoneBCDD
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAAAA
FEPAAA*A*
PVDFAAA–
ECTFE/ETFEAA––
Elastomers
EPDMC*CCC
Viton (FPM)AAC*C*
NBRB*CDD
Silicone––––
Metals
SS 316–DDC*
SS 304–DDC*
AluminiumDDDD

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Resistance table: Hydrofluoric Acid, 4 %

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEAA
LDPEAB
PPAB
PVC RigidBC
PMPAB
PolystyreneBC
PolycarbonateBC
PETGDD
Acetal (POM)DD
Nylon (PA)DD
PolysulfoneBC
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMC*–
Viton (FPM)AC
NBRB*–disputed, see below
Metals
AluminiumDD

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Not rated in the source, so not in the table: PVC Flexible, SAN, Silicone, SS 316, SS 304

Resistance table: Hydrofluoric Acid, 50 %

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEAA
LDPEAA
PPAA
PVC RigidBC
PVC FlexibleB–
PMPAA
PolystyreneDD
SANCC
PolycarbonateDD
PETGDD
Acetal (POM)DD
Nylon (PA)DD
PolysulfoneCD
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMCD
Viton (FPM)AC
NBRCD
Metals
SS 316DD
SS 304DD
AluminiumDD

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

Resistance table: Hydrofluoric Acid, 70 %

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
LDPEAC
PPAC
PVC RigidAD
PVC FlexibleC–
PolystyreneDD
PolycarbonateDD
PETGDD
Acetal (POM)DD
Nylon (PA)DD
PolysulfoneDD
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPA*–
PVDFAA
Elastomers
EPDMCD
Viton (FPM)C*–
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: HDPE, PMP, SAN, ECTFE/ETFE, Silicone

Resistance table: Hydrofluoric Acid, 100 %

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
PPB*–
PolycarbonateDD
PETGDD
Acetal (POM)DD
Nylon (PA)DD
PolysulfoneDD
Fluoropolymers
PTFEA–
FEPA*–
Elastomers
EPDMCD
Viton (FPM)C*–
NBRDD
Metals
SS 316C*–
SS 304C*–
AluminiumDD

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Not rated in the source, so not in the table: HDPE, LDPE, PVC Rigid, PVC Flexible, PMP, Polystyrene, SAN, PVDF, ECTFE/ETFE, 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.

Corrected and disputed values

Source values use the scale 1 (very good) to 4 (not resistant); 1 = A, 4 = D.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which materials resist Hydrofluoric Acid at high concentrations?

The materials with an A rating (resistant) for Hydrofluoric Acid at 20 °C are: PTFE, PP, PVDF, PVC Rigid, LDPE, FEP. These can generally be used in direct contact.

Which materials should be avoided with Hydrofluoric Acid?

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

Does temperature affect chemical resistance to Hydrofluoric Acid?

Yes. 4 of 16 tested materials show a worse rating at 50 °C than at 20 °C for Hydrofluoric Acid. Materials affected include: PP, PVC Rigid, EPDM, LDPE.

Is PTFE safe for Hydrofluoric Acid?

PTFE is rated A for Hydrofluoric 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 Hydrofluoric Acid?

Yes. Hydrofluoric Acid is tested at 4 concentrations (4 %, 50 %, 70 %, 100 %). 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 94 %Hydrochloric Acid 79 %Hydrogen Fluoride 79 %Fluorine 78 %Bromine 74 %Chloroacetic Acid 74 %