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Nylon (PA) and Hydrofluoric Acid: Chemical Resistance

Polyamide (nylon)

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
4 %DD
50 %DD
70 %DD
100 %DD

Material comparison at 20 °C

Hydrofluoric Acid: Material comparison at 20 °CNylon (PA): D (highlighted); FEP: A; LDPE: A; PP: A; PTFE: A; PVC Rigid: A.FEP: ALDPE: APP: APTFE: APVC Rigid: APVDF: AEPDM: CViton (FPM): CPVC Flexible: CAluminium: DNBR: DNylon (PA): DPAPolycarbonate: DPETG: DAcetal (POM): DPolystyrene: DPolysulfone: DSS 304: DSS 316: DECTFE/ETFE: –HDPE: –PMP: –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

Nylon (PA) maintains a consistent rating of D across all 4 tested concentrations (4 %, 50 %, 70 %, 100 %) of Hydrofluoric Acid 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

Hydrofluoric Acid is commonly encountered in laboratory work and surface cleaning. Nylon (PA) (Polyamide (nylon)) is a thermoplastic typically used for tanks, piping, containers and liners. Because Hydrofluoric Acid is classified as corrosive, the choice of containment material is especially critical to prevent leaks, equipment damage, and safety hazards.

Practical recommendation

Nylon (PA) is not recommended for use with Hydrofluoric Acid. 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 LDPE, PP, PVC Rigid instead, which are rated A for this chemical and offer reliable long-term performance.

Did you know?

The ratings shown here apply to pure Hydrofluoric Acid in contact with the base thermoplastic. In real-world applications, additives, pigments, and fillers in the material can shift resistance in either direction.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for 70 %, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
PP A, PVC Rigid A, LDPE A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, PVDF A, FEP A

About Nylon (PA)

Polyamide (nylon) resists fuels, oils and many solvents. Mineral acids, even dilute, and strong oxidisers attack it, and it absorbs water.

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.