Rating
| Concentration | 20 °C | 50 °C | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| technical grade | B | B |
Material comparison at 20 °C
Resistance overview
Polystyrene shows good but limited resistance (B) to Isopropanol at technical grade at 20 °C. The material can be used in contact with this chemical, but minor effects such as slight swelling or a small reduction in mechanical properties may occur over extended exposure periods. Regular inspection of components in service is advisable. 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
Isopropanol is commonly encountered in cosmetics production and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Polystyrene (Polystyrene) is a thermoplastic typically used for tanks, piping, containers and liners. Since Isopropanol 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
Polystyrene is suitable for use with Isopropanol under normal conditions, but some minor effects on the material are expected over time. Periodic monitoring for swelling, softening, or weight change is recommended, especially for long-service components. For safety-critical or long-life applications, consider HDPE, LDPE, Nylon (PA) instead, which are rated A for this chemical.
Did you know?
Polystyrene was first developed in the 1930s and remains one of the most widely used thermoplastics in chemical handling equipment.
Materials rated A or B at 20 °C
Based on the row for technical grade, 20 °C.
- Thermoplastics
- HDPE A, PP A, PVC Rigid A, LDPE A, Nylon (PA) A, Acetal (POM) A, Polycarbonate A, Polysulfone A, PETG A, PMP A, SAN A
- Fluoropolymers
- PTFE A, PVDF A, FEP A, ECTFE/ETFE A
- Elastomers
- EPDM A, Viton (FPM) A
- Metals
- SS 316 A, SS 304 A, Aluminium B
About Polystyrene
Polystyrene is attacked by most organic solvents, including ketones, esters, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons. It is used for dilute aqueous solutions.
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.