Rating
| Concentration | 20 °C | 50 °C | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| pure | C* | – |
* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature
Material comparison at 20 °C
Resistance overview
Aluminium has limited resistance (C) to Mercury at pure at 20 °C. This indicates that the chemical has a noticeable effect on the material, which may include visible swelling, softening, or a measurable loss of tensile strength. Use is generally limited to short-term or intermittent contact where full structural integrity is not required. 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
Mercury is commonly encountered in de-icing and chemical storage. Aluminium (Aluminium) is a metal typically used for vessels, heat exchangers, fittings and structural components. The compatibility between these two is therefore an important consideration for engineers and procurement teams selecting containment, transfer, or processing equipment.
Practical recommendation
Aluminium has limited resistance to Mercury and should only be used for short-term or intermittent contact at ambient temperature. The C rating means the material undergoes noticeable changes — swelling, loss of strength, or surface degradation — that make it unsuitable for permanent installations. For prolonged or continuous exposure, HDPE, LDPE, Nylon (PA) offer significantly better resistance and are rated A.
Did you know?
Aluminium was first developed in the 1880s and remains one of the most widely used metals in chemical handling equipment.
Materials rated A or B at 20 °C
Based on the row for pure, 20 °C.
- Thermoplastics
- HDPE A, PP A, PVC Rigid A, LDPE A, Nylon (PA) A, Acetal (POM) A, Polycarbonate A, Polystyrene 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, NBR A, Silicone A
- Metals
- SS 316 A, SS 304 A
About Aluminium
Aluminium relies on a thin oxide layer. Strong acids, strong alkalis and mercury compounds destroy that layer.
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.