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Methanol Chemical Resistance

Resistance ratings for 24 plastics, elastomers and metals at 20 °C and 50 °C.

At a glance

Ratings at 20 °C.

Rated A, very good resistance
PTFE, HDPE, PP, PVDF, PVC Rigid, EPDM, SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium, LDPE, FEP, ECTFE/ETFE, Acetal (POM), PETG, PMP (15)
Rated B, good resistance
Nylon (PA) (1)
Rated C, limited resistance
Viton (FPM), NBR, PVC Flexible, Polystyrene, Polysulfone, SAN (6)
Rated D, not resistant
Polycarbonate (1)
No data in the source
Silicone
Rated lower at 50 °C than at 20 °C
PVC Rigid (A → C), Viton (FPM) (C → D), Polystyrene (C → D), SAN (C → D)

Rating profile by material family

Methanol: Rating profile by material familyThermoplastics: 7 A, 1 B, 4 C, 1 D. Fluoropolymers: 4 A. Elastomers: 1 A, 2 C, 1 no data. Metals: 3 A.Thermoplastics (13)Thermoplastics: 7 × A, very good resistance (HDPE, LDPE, PP, PVC Rigid, PMP, PETG, Acetal (POM))A 7Thermoplastics: 1 × B, good resistance (Nylon (PA))Thermoplastics: 4 × C, limited resistance (PVC Flexible, Polystyrene, SAN, Polysulfone)C 4Thermoplastics: 1 × D, not resistant (Polycarbonate)Fluoropolymers (4)Fluoropolymers: 4 × A, very good resistance (PTFE, FEP, PVDF, ECTFE/ETFE)A 4Elastomers (4)Elastomers: 1 × A, very good resistance (EPDM)A 1Elastomers: 2 × C, limited resistance (Viton (FPM), NBR)C 2Elastomers: 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

Methanol: Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °CPVC Rigid A → C; Polystyrene C → D; SAN C → D; Viton (FPM) C → D.ABCDPVC Rigid: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CPVC RigidPolystyrene: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CPolystyreneSAN: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CSANViton (FPM): C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CViton (FPM)
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
67-56-1
Formula
CH4O
Hazard symbols in the source
F (flammable), T (toxic) (pre-GHS European symbols; check the current safety data sheet)
Flammable
yes
Also listed as
Carbinol (Methanol); Wood Spirit (Methanol); Methyl Alcohol
Name in the source (German)
Methanol

Resistance table

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEAA
LDPEAA
PPAA
PVC RigidAC
PVC FlexibleCC
PMPAA
PolystyreneCD
SANCD
PolycarbonateDD
PETGA–
Acetal (POM)AA
Nylon (PA)B–
PolysulfoneCC
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMA–
Viton (FPM)CD
NBRCC
Metals
SS 316AA
SS 304AA
AluminiumA–

Not rated in the source, so not in the table: 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 Methanol at high concentrations?

The materials with an A rating (resistant) for Methanol at 20 °C are: PTFE, HDPE, PP, PVDF, PVC Rigid, EPDM, SS 316, SS 304. These can generally be used in direct contact.

Which materials should be avoided with Methanol?

Materials rated D (not resistant) for Methanol are: Polycarbonate. These should not be used in contact with Methanol.

Does temperature affect chemical resistance to Methanol?

Yes. 4 of 19 tested materials show a worse rating at 50 °C than at 20 °C for Methanol. Materials affected include: PVC Rigid, Viton (FPM), Polystyrene, SAN.

Is PTFE safe for Methanol?

PTFE is rated A for Methanol at 20 °C. A rating of A means resistant, B means limited resistance, C means partly resistant, and D means not resistant.

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.