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Lactic Acid Chemical Resistance

Resistance ratings for 24 plastics, elastomers and metals at 20 °C and 50 °C. Listed at 3 concentrations, because the rating depends on it.

At a glance

Based on the row for 85 %, 20 °C.

Rated A, very good resistance
PTFE, HDPE, PP, PVDF, Viton (FPM), NBR, SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium, LDPE, FEP, ECTFE/ETFE, Polycarbonate, Polysulfone, PMP, SAN (16)
Rated B, good resistance
PVC Rigid, PVC Flexible, Polystyrene (3)
Rated C, limited resistance
EPDM, Nylon (PA), Acetal (POM) (3)
Rated D, not resistant
none (0)
No data in the source
Silicone, PETG
Rated lower at 50 °C than at 20 °C
PP (A → B), PVDF (A → C), PVC Rigid (B → C), EPDM (C → D), NBR (A → D), SS 316 (A → B), SS 304 (A → C), ECTFE/ETFE (A → B), Nylon (PA) (C → D), Acetal (POM) (C → D), Polycarbonate (A → B), PVC Flexible (B → C), PMP (A → B)
Rating changes with concentration (20 °C)
NBR: A (80 %), B (3 %); Acetal (POM): B (3 %), C (80 %); Polystyrene: A (80 %), B (3 %)

Based on the row for 85 %, 20 °C.

Rating profile by material family

Lactic Acid: Rating profile by material familyThermoplastics: 7 A, 3 B, 2 C, 1 no data. Fluoropolymers: 4 A. Elastomers: 2 A, 1 C, 1 no data. Metals: 3 A.Thermoplastics (13)Thermoplastics: 7 × A, very good resistance (HDPE, LDPE, PP, PMP, SAN, Polycarbonate, Polysulfone)A 7Thermoplastics: 3 × B, good resistance (PVC Rigid, PVC Flexible, Polystyrene)B 3Thermoplastics: 2 × C, limited resistance (Acetal (POM), Nylon (PA))C 2Thermoplastics: 1 × no data (PETG)Fluoropolymers (4)Fluoropolymers: 4 × A, very good resistance (PTFE, FEP, PVDF, ECTFE/ETFE)A 4Elastomers (4)Elastomers: 2 × A, very good resistance (Viton (FPM), NBR)A 2Elastomers: 1 × C, limited resistance (EPDM)C 1Elastomers: 1 × no data (Silicone)– 1Metals (3)Metals: 3 × A, very good resistance (SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium)A 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

Lactic Acid: Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °CPP A → B; PVC Rigid B → C; PVC Flexible B → C; PMP A → B; Polycarbonate A → B; Acetal (POM) C → D; Nylon (PA) C → D; PVDF A → C; ECTFE/ETFE A → B; EPDM C → D; NBR A → D; SS 316 A → B; SS 304 A → C.ABCDPP: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CPPPVC Rigid: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CPVC RigidPVC Flexible: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CPVC FlexiblePMP: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CPMPPolycarbonate: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CPolycarbonateAcetal (POM): C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CAcetal (POM)Nylon (PA): C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CNylon (PA)PVDF: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CPVDFECTFE/ETFE: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CECTFE/ETFEEPDM: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CEPDMNBR: A at 20 °C, D at 50 °CNBRSS 316: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CSS 316SS 304: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CSS 304
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
50-21-5
Formula
C3H6O3
Hazard symbols in the source
C (corrosive) (pre-GHS European symbols; check the current safety data sheet)
Concentrations listed
3 %; 80 %; 85 %
Also listed as
Hydroxypropionic acid, 2-
Name in the source (German)
Milchsäure

Rating by concentration

Lactic Acid: Rating by concentrationHDPE: 3 % A, 80 % A, 85 % A. LDPE: 3 % A→B, 80 % A, 85 % A. PP: 3 % A→B, 80 % A, 85 % A→B. PVC Rigid: 3 % B→C, 80 % B→C, 85 % B→C. PVC Flexible: 3 % –, 80 % B→C, 85 % B→C. PMP: 3 % A→B, 80 % A→B, 85 % A→B. Polystyrene: 3 % B, 80 % A, 85 % B. SAN: 3 % A, 80 % A, 85 % A. Polycarbonate: 3 % A→B, 80 % A→B, 85 % A→B. PETG: 3 % A, 80 % –, 85 % –. Acetal (POM): 3 % B→D, 80 % C→D, 85 % C→D. Nylon (PA): 3 % C*, 80 % C→D, 85 % C→D. Polysulfone: 3 % A, 80 % A, 85 % A. PTFE: 3 % A, 80 % A, 85 % A. FEP: 3 % A, 80 % A, 85 % A. PVDF: 3 % A, 80 % A→C, 85 % A→C. ECTFE/ETFE: 3 % A, 80 % A→B, 85 % A→B. EPDM: 3 % C→D, 80 % C→D, 85 % C→D. Viton (FPM): 3 % A, 80 % A, 85 % A. NBR: 3 % B*, 80 % A→D, 85 % A→D. SS 316: 3 % A, 80 % A→B, 85 % A→B. SS 304: 3 % A, 80 % A→C, 85 % A→C. Aluminium: 3 % A*, 80 % A, 85 % A.3 %80 %85 %THERMOPLASTICSHDPEHDPE, 3 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAHDPE, 80 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAHDPE, 85 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CALDPELDPE, 3 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BLDPE, 80 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CALDPE, 85 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPPPP, 3 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPP, 80 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPP, 85 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPVC RigidPVC Rigid, 3 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPVC Rigid, 80 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPVC Rigid, 85 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPVC FlexiblePVC Flexible, 3 %: no data–PVC Flexible, 80 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPVC Flexible, 85 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPMPPMP, 3 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPMP, 80 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPMP, 85 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPolystyrenePolystyrene, 3 %: B at 20 °C, B at 50 °CBPolystyrene, 80 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPolystyrene, 85 %: B at 20 °C, B at 50 °CBSANSAN, 3 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CASAN, 80 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CASAN, 85 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPolycarbonatePolycarbonate, 3 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPolycarbonate, 80 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPolycarbonate, 85 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPETGPETG, 3 %: A at 20 °CAPETG, 80 %: no data–PETG, 85 %: no data–Acetal (POM)Acetal (POM), 3 %: B at 20 °C, D at 50 °CB→DAcetal (POM), 80 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DAcetal (POM), 85 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DNylon (PA)Nylon (PA), 3 %: C at 20 °C (estimate)C*Nylon (PA), 80 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DNylon (PA), 85 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DPolysulfonePolysulfone, 3 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPolysulfone, 80 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPolysulfone, 85 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFLUOROPOLYMERSPTFEPTFE, 3 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPTFE, 80 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPTFE, 85 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEPFEP, 3 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEP, 80 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEP, 85 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVDFPVDF, 3 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVDF, 80 %: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CPVDF, 85 %: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CECTFE/ETFEECTFE/ETFE, 3 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAECTFE/ETFE, 80 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BECTFE/ETFE, 85 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BELASTOMERSEPDMEPDM, 3 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DEPDM, 80 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DEPDM, 85 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DViton (FPM)Viton (FPM), 3 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAViton (FPM), 80 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAViton (FPM), 85 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CANBRNBR, 3 %: B at 20 °C (estimate)B*NBR, 80 %: A at 20 °C, D at 50 °CA→DNBR, 85 %: A at 20 °C, D at 50 °CA→DMETALSSS 316SS 316, 3 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CASS 316, 80 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BSS 316, 85 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BSS 304SS 304, 3 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CASS 304, 80 %: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CSS 304, 85 %: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CAluminiumAluminium, 3 %: A at 20 °C (estimate)A*Aluminium, 80 %: A at 20 °CAAluminium, 85 %: A at 20 °CA
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
Material3 %80 %85 %
Thermoplastics
HDPEAAA
LDPEAAA
PPAAA
PVC RigidBBB
PVC Flexible–BB
PMPAAA
PolystyreneBAB
SANAAA
PolycarbonateAAA
PETGA––
Acetal (POM)BCC
Nylon (PA)C*CC
PolysulfoneAAA
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAAA
FEPAAA
PVDFAAA
ECTFE/ETFEAAA
Elastomers
EPDMCCC
Viton (FPM)AAA
NBRB*AA
Silicone–––
Metals
SS 316AAA
SS 304AAA
AluminiumA*AA

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Resistance table: Lactic Acid, 3 %

Remark: Lactol

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEAA
LDPEAB
PPAB
PVC RigidBC
PMPAB
PolystyreneBB
SANAA
PolycarbonateAB
PETGA–
Acetal (POM)BD
Nylon (PA)C*–
PolysulfoneAA
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMCD
Viton (FPM)AA
NBRB*–
Metals
SS 316AA
SS 304AA
AluminiumA*–

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

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

Resistance table: Lactic Acid, 80 %

Remark: Lactol

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEAA
LDPEAA
PPAA
PVC RigidBC
PVC FlexibleBC
PMPAB
PolystyreneAA
SANAA
PolycarbonateAB
Acetal (POM)CD
Nylon (PA)CD
PolysulfoneAA
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAC
ECTFE/ETFEAB
Elastomers
EPDMCD
Viton (FPM)AA
NBRAD
Metals
SS 316AB
SS 304AC
AluminiumA–

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

Resistance table: Lactic Acid, 85 %

Remark: Lactol

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEAA
LDPEAA
PPAB
PVC RigidBC
PVC FlexibleBC
PMPAB
PolystyreneBB
SANAA
PolycarbonateAB
Acetal (POM)CD
Nylon (PA)CD
PolysulfoneAA
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAC
ECTFE/ETFEAB
Elastomers
EPDMCD
Viton (FPM)AA
NBRAD
Metals
SS 316AB
SS 304AC
AluminiumA–

Not rated in the source, so not in the table: PETG, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which materials resist Lactic Acid at high concentrations?

The materials with an A rating (resistant) for Lactic Acid at 20 °C are: PTFE, HDPE, PP, PVDF, Viton (FPM), NBR, SS 316, SS 304. These can generally be used in direct contact.

Does temperature affect chemical resistance to Lactic Acid?

Yes. 13 of 21 tested materials show a worse rating at 50 °C than at 20 °C for Lactic Acid. Materials affected include: PP, PVDF, PVC Rigid, EPDM, NBR, SS 316.

Is PTFE safe for Lactic Acid?

PTFE is rated A for Lactic 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 Lactic Acid?

Yes. Lactic Acid is tested at 3 concentrations (3 %, 80 %, 85 %). 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.

Succinic Acid 88 %Tartaric Acid 82 %Beeswax 81 %Potassium Sulfate 81 %Sodium Bicarbonate 81 %Cod Liver Oil 78 %