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PVC Rigid and Hydrofluoric Acid: Chemical Resistance

Rigid (unplasticised) polyvinyl chloride

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
4 %BC
50 %BC
70 %AD
100 %––

Material comparison at 20 °C

Hydrofluoric Acid: Material comparison at 20 °CPVC Rigid: A (highlighted); FEP: A; LDPE: A; PP: A; PTFE: A; PVDF: A.FEP: ALDPE: APP: APTFE: APVC Rigid: APVC-UPVDF: AEPDM: CViton (FPM): CPVC Flexible: CAluminium: DNBR: DNylon (PA): DPolycarbonate: 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

The resistance of PVC Rigid to Hydrofluoric Acid is concentration-dependent. Across the 3 tested concentrations (4 %, 50 %, 70 %), the 20 °C rating ranges from A at lower concentrations to D at higher ones. This means engineers must verify which concentration their process actually involves before relying on a single rating. However, at 50 °C the resistance rating drops, indicating that temperature must be factored into the design. For heated applications, additional testing under actual service conditions is strongly recommended.

Application context

Hydrofluoric Acid is commonly encountered in laboratory work and surface cleaning. PVC Rigid (Rigid (unplasticised) polyvinyl chloride) 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

PVC Rigid can be used with confidence for Hydrofluoric Acid 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. At elevated temperatures (50 °C), some reduction in resistance occurs, so periodic inspection is advisable for heated applications. Always verify performance under actual operating conditions before committing to a design.

Did you know?

The chemical resistance of PVC Rigid depends not only on the chemical concentration but also on exposure time, mechanical stress, and the presence of other chemicals in the mixture.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for 70 %, 20 °C.

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

About PVC Rigid

Rigid PVC resists acids, alkalis and salt solutions well. Ketones, esters, aromatic and chlorinated solvents dissolve or swell it. Service temperature is 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.