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Nitric Acid Chemical Resistance

Resistance ratings for 24 plastics, elastomers and metals at 20 °C and 50 °C. Listed at 5 concentrations, because the rating depends on it.

At a glance

Based on the row for 70 %, 20 °C.

Rated A, very good resistance
PTFE, PVDF, SS 316, SS 304, FEP, ECTFE/ETFE (6)
Rated B, good resistance
HDPE, Viton (FPM), PMP (3)
Rated C, limited resistance
PVC Rigid, LDPE (2)
Rated D, not resistant
PP, EPDM, NBR, Aluminium, Nylon (PA), Acetal (POM), Polycarbonate, Polystyrene, Polysulfone, PETG (10)
No data in the source
Silicone, PVC Flexible, SAN
Rated lower at 50 °C than at 20 °C
HDPE (B → D), PVC Rigid (C → D), Viton (FPM) (B → C), SS 316 (A → B), SS 304 (A → B), LDPE (C → D), PMP (B → C)
Rating changes with concentration (20 °C)
HDPE: A (1-10 %), D (100 %); PP: A (1-10 %), D (66 %); PVDF: A (1-10 %), D (100 %); PVC Rigid: A (1-10 %), D (100 %); EPDM: B (1-10 %), D (50 %); Viton (FPM): A (1-10 %), D (100 %); SS 316: A (1-10 %), C (100 %); SS 304: A (1-10 %), B (100 %); Aluminium: A (100 %), D (50 %); LDPE: A (1-10 %), D (100 %); Polycarbonate: A (1-10 %), D (50 %); Polystyrene: B (1-10 %), D (50 %); Polysulfone: A (1-10 %), D (66 %); PETG: B (1-10 %), D (66 %); PMP: A (1-10 %), B (50 %); SAN: A (1-10 %), D (100 %)

Based on the row for 70 %, 20 °C.

Rating profile by material family

Nitric Acid: Rating profile by material familyThermoplastics: 2 B, 2 C, 7 D, 2 no data. Fluoropolymers: 4 A. Elastomers: 1 B, 2 D, 1 no data. Metals: 2 A, 1 D.Thermoplastics (13)Thermoplastics: 2 × B, good resistance (HDPE, PMP)B 2Thermoplastics: 2 × C, limited resistance (LDPE, PVC Rigid)C 2Thermoplastics: 7 × D, not resistant (PP, Polystyrene, Polycarbonate, PETG, Acetal (POM), Nylon (PA), Polysulfone)D 7Thermoplastics: 2 × no data (PVC Flexible, SAN)– 2Fluoropolymers (4)Fluoropolymers: 4 × A, very good resistance (PTFE, FEP, PVDF, ECTFE/ETFE)A 4Elastomers (4)Elastomers: 1 × B, good resistance (Viton (FPM))B 1Elastomers: 2 × D, not resistant (EPDM, NBR)D 2Elastomers: 1 × no data (Silicone)– 1Metals (3)Metals: 2 × A, very good resistance (SS 316, SS 304)A 2Metals: 1 × D, not resistant (Aluminium)D 1
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

Nitric Acid: Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °CHDPE B → D; LDPE C → D; PVC Rigid C → D; PMP B → C; Viton (FPM) B → C; SS 316 A → B; SS 304 A → B.ABCDHDPE: B at 20 °C, D at 50 °CHDPELDPE: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CLDPEPVC Rigid: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CPVC RigidPMP: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CPMPViton (FPM): B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CViton (FPM)SS 316: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CSS 316SS 304: A at 20 °C, B 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
7697-37-2
Formula
HNO3
Hazard symbols in the source
C (corrosive) (pre-GHS European symbols; check the current safety data sheet)
Concentrations listed
1-10 %; 50 %; 66 %; 70 %; 100 %
Name in the source (German)
Salpetersäure

Rating by concentration

Nitric Acid: Rating by concentrationHDPE: 1-10 % A, 50 % B→D, 66 % B→D, 70 % B→D, 100 % D. LDPE: 1-10 % A, 50 % C→D, 66 % C→D, 70 % C→D, 100 % D. PP: 1-10 % A, 50 % C→D, 66 % D, 70 % D, 100 % D. PVC Rigid: 1-10 % A→B, 50 % B→C, 66 % C→D, 70 % C→D, 100 % D. PMP: 1-10 % A, 50 % B→D, 66 % B→C, 70 % B→C, 100 % –. Polystyrene: 1-10 % B→D, 50 % D, 66 % D, 70 % D, 100 % –. SAN: 1-10 % A→C, 50 % –, 66 % –, 70 % –, 100 % D. Polycarbonate: 1-10 % A→B, 50 % D, 66 % D, 70 % D, 100 % D. PETG: 1-10 % B*, 50 % B*, 66 % D*, 70 % D*, 100 % D*. Acetal (POM): 1-10 % D, 50 % D, 66 % D, 70 % D, 100 % D. Nylon (PA): 1-10 % D, 50 % D, 66 % D, 70 % D, 100 % D. Polysulfone: 1-10 % A→C, 50 % B→C, 66 % D, 70 % D, 100 % –. PTFE: 1-10 % A, 50 % A, 66 % A, 70 % A, 100 % A. FEP: 1-10 % A, 50 % A, 66 % A, 70 % A, 100 % –. PVDF: 1-10 % A, 50 % A, 66 % A, 70 % A, 100 % D. ECTFE/ETFE: 1-10 % A, 50 % A, 66 % A, 70 % A, 100 % –. EPDM: 1-10 % B, 50 % D, 66 % D, 70 % D, 100 % D. Viton (FPM): 1-10 % A, 50 % A, 66 % A, 70 % B→C, 100 % D. NBR: 1-10 % D, 50 % D, 66 % D, 70 % D, 100 % D. SS 316: 1-10 % A, 50 % A→B, 66 % A→B, 70 % A→B, 100 % C. SS 304: 1-10 % A, 50 % A→B, 66 % A→B, 70 % A→B, 100 % B→C. Aluminium: 1-10 % C→D, 50 % D, 66 % D, 70 % D, 100 % A.1-10 %50 %66 %70 %100 %THERMOPLASTICSHDPEHDPE, 1-10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAHDPE, 50 %: B at 20 °C, D at 50 °CB→DHDPE, 66 %: B at 20 °C, D at 50 °CB→DHDPE, 70 %: B at 20 °C, D at 50 °CB→DHDPE, 100 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDLDPELDPE, 1-10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CALDPE, 50 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DLDPE, 66 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DLDPE, 70 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DLDPE, 100 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPPPP, 1-10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPP, 50 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DPP, 66 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPP, 70 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPP, 100 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPVC RigidPVC Rigid, 1-10 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPVC Rigid, 50 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPVC Rigid, 66 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DPVC Rigid, 70 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DPVC Rigid, 100 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPMPPMP, 1-10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPMP, 50 %: B at 20 °C, D at 50 °CB→DPMP, 66 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPMP, 70 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPMP, 100 %: no data–PolystyrenePolystyrene, 1-10 %: B at 20 °C, D at 50 °CB→DPolystyrene, 50 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolystyrene, 66 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolystyrene, 70 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolystyrene, 100 %: no data–SANSAN, 1-10 %: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CSAN, 50 %: no data–SAN, 66 %: no data–SAN, 70 %: no data–SAN, 100 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolycarbonatePolycarbonate, 1-10 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BPolycarbonate, 50 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolycarbonate, 66 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolycarbonate, 70 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolycarbonate, 100 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPETGPETG, 1-10 %: B at 20 °C (estimate)B*PETG, 50 %: B at 20 °C (estimate)B*PETG, 66 %: D at 20 °C (estimate)D*PETG, 70 %: D at 20 °C (estimate)D*PETG, 100 %: D at 20 °C (estimate)D*Acetal (POM)Acetal (POM), 1-10 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAcetal (POM), 50 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAcetal (POM), 66 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAcetal (POM), 70 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAcetal (POM), 100 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNylon (PA)Nylon (PA), 1-10 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNylon (PA), 50 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNylon (PA), 66 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNylon (PA), 70 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNylon (PA), 100 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolysulfonePolysulfone, 1-10 %: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CPolysulfone, 50 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPolysulfone, 66 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolysulfone, 70 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolysulfone, 100 %: no data–FLUOROPOLYMERSPTFEPTFE, 1-10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPTFE, 50 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPTFE, 66 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPTFE, 70 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPTFE, 100 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEPFEP, 1-10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEP, 50 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEP, 66 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEP, 70 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEP, 100 %: no data–PVDFPVDF, 1-10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVDF, 50 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVDF, 66 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVDF, 70 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVDF, 100 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDECTFE/ETFEECTFE/ETFE, 1-10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAECTFE/ETFE, 50 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAECTFE/ETFE, 66 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAECTFE/ETFE, 70 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAECTFE/ETFE, 100 %: no data–ELASTOMERSEPDMEPDM, 1-10 %: B at 20 °CBEPDM, 50 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDEPDM, 66 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDEPDM, 70 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDEPDM, 100 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDViton (FPM)Viton (FPM), 1-10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAViton (FPM), 50 %: A at 20 °CAViton (FPM), 66 %: A at 20 °CAViton (FPM), 70 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CViton (FPM), 100 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNBRNBR, 1-10 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNBR, 50 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNBR, 66 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNBR, 70 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNBR, 100 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDMETALSSS 316SS 316, 1-10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CASS 316, 50 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BSS 316, 66 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BSS 316, 70 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BSS 316, 100 %: C at 20 °C, C at 50 °CCSS 304SS 304, 1-10 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CASS 304, 50 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BSS 304, 66 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BSS 304, 70 %: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CA→BSS 304, 100 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CAluminiumAluminium, 1-10 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DAluminium, 50 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAluminium, 66 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAluminium, 70 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAluminium, 100 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °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
Material1-10 %50 %66 %70 %100 %
Thermoplastics
HDPEABBBD
LDPEACCCD
PPACDDD
PVC RigidABCCD
PVC Flexible–––––
PMPABBB–
PolystyreneBDDD–
SANA–––D
PolycarbonateADDDD
PETGB*B*D*D*D*
Acetal (POM)DDDDD
Nylon (PA)DDDDD
PolysulfoneABDD–
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAAAAA
FEPAAAA–
PVDFAAAAD
ECTFE/ETFEAAAA–
Elastomers
EPDMBDDDD
Viton (FPM)AAABD
NBRDDDDD
Silicone–––––
Metals
SS 316AAAAC
SS 304AAAAB
AluminiumCDDDA

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Resistance table: Nitric Acid, 1-10 %

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEAA
LDPEAA
PPAA
PVC RigidAB
PMPAA
PolystyreneBD
SANAC
PolycarbonateAB
PETGB*–
Acetal (POM)DD
Nylon (PA)DD
PolysulfoneAC
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMB–
Viton (FPM)AA
NBRDD
Metals
SS 316AA
SS 304AA
AluminiumCD

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

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

Resistance table: Nitric Acid, 50 %

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEBD
LDPECD
PPCD
PVC RigidBC
PMPBD
PolystyreneDD
SAN–C
PolycarbonateDD
PETGB*–
Acetal (POM)DD
Nylon (PA)DD
PolysulfoneBC
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMDD
Viton (FPM)A–
NBRDD
Metals
SS 316AB
SS 304AB
AluminiumDD

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

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

Resistance table: Nitric Acid, 66 %

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEBD
LDPECD
PPDD
PVC RigidCD
PMPBC
PolystyreneDD
PolycarbonateDD
PETGD*–
Acetal (POM)DD
Nylon (PA)DD
PolysulfoneDD
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMDD
Viton (FPM)A–
NBRDD
Metals
SS 316AB
SS 304AB
AluminiumDD

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

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

Resistance table: Nitric Acid, 70 %

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEBD
LDPECD
PPDD
PVC RigidCD
PMPBC
PolystyreneDD
PolycarbonateDD
PETGD*–
Acetal (POM)DD
Nylon (PA)DD
PolysulfoneDD
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMDD
Viton (FPM)BC
NBRDD
Metals
SS 316AB
SS 304AB
AluminiumDD

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

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

Resistance table: Nitric Acid, 100 %

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEDD
LDPEDD
PPDD
PVC RigidDD
SANDD
PolycarbonateDD
PETGD*–
Acetal (POM)DD
Nylon (PA)DD
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
PVDFDD
Elastomers
EPDMDD
Viton (FPM)DD
NBRDD
Metals
SS 316CC
SS 304BC
AluminiumAA

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Not rated in the source, so not in the table: PVC Flexible, PMP, Polystyrene, Polysulfone, FEP, ECTFE/ETFE, 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 Nitric Acid at high concentrations?

The materials with an A rating (resistant) for Nitric Acid at 20 °C are: PTFE, PVDF, SS 316, SS 304, FEP, ECTFE/ETFE. These can generally be used in direct contact.

Which materials should be avoided with Nitric Acid?

Materials rated D (not resistant) for Nitric Acid are: PP, EPDM, NBR, Aluminium, Nylon (PA), Acetal (POM), Polycarbonate, Polystyrene. These should not be used in contact with Nitric Acid.

Does temperature affect chemical resistance to Nitric Acid?

Yes. 7 of 20 tested materials show a worse rating at 50 °C than at 20 °C for Nitric Acid. Materials affected include: HDPE, PVC Rigid, Viton (FPM), SS 316, SS 304, LDPE.

Is PTFE safe for Nitric Acid?

PTFE is rated A for Nitric 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 Nitric Acid?

Yes. Nitric Acid is tested at 5 concentrations (1-10 %, 50 %, 66 %, 70 %, 100 %). 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.

Perchloric Acid 84 %Sulfuric Acid 81 %Phenol 71 %Chlorine 70 %Chlorine Gas 70 %Benzene 67 %