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Oleum (Fuming Sulfuric Acid) Chemical Resistance

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

At a glance

Based on the row for 10 % SO3, 20 °C.

Rated A, very good resistance
PTFE, Viton (FPM), SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium, FEP (6)
Rated B, good resistance
none (0)
Rated C, limited resistance
none (0)
Rated D, not resistant
HDPE, PP, PVDF, PVC Rigid, EPDM, NBR, LDPE, Nylon (PA), Acetal (POM), Polycarbonate, PVC Flexible, Polystyrene, Polysulfone, PETG, PMP (15)
No data in the source
ECTFE/ETFE, Silicone, SAN
Rated lower at 50 °C than at 20 °C
SS 304 (A → B), Aluminium (A → C)

Based on the row for 10 % SO3, 20 °C.

Rating profile by material family

Oleum (Fuming Sulfuric Acid): Rating profile by material familyThermoplastics: 12 D, 1 no data. Fluoropolymers: 2 A, 1 D, 1 no data. Elastomers: 1 A, 2 D, 1 no data. Metals: 3 A.Thermoplastics (13)Thermoplastics: 12 × D, not resistant (HDPE, LDPE, PP, PVC Rigid, PVC Flexible, PMP, Polystyrene, Polycarbonate, PETG, Acetal (POM), Nylon (PA), Polysulfone)D 12Thermoplastics: 1 × no data (SAN)Fluoropolymers (4)Fluoropolymers: 2 × A, very good resistance (PTFE, FEP)A 2Fluoropolymers: 1 × D, not resistant (PVDF)D 1Fluoropolymers: 1 × no data (ECTFE/ETFE)– 1Elastomers (4)Elastomers: 1 × A, very good resistance (Viton (FPM))A 1Elastomers: 2 × D, not resistant (EPDM, NBR)D 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

Oleum (Fuming Sulfuric Acid): Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °CSS 304 A → B; Aluminium A → C.ABCDSS 304: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CSS 304Aluminium: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CAluminium
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
8014-95-7
Formula
H2SO4 x SO3
Hazard symbols in the source
C (corrosive) (pre-GHS European symbols; check the current safety data sheet)
Concentrations listed
10 % SO3
Name in the source (German)
Oleum

Resistance table: Oleum (Fuming Sulfuric Acid), 10 % SO3

Remark: rauchende Schwefelsäure

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEDD
LDPEDD
PPDD
PVC RigidDD
PVC FlexibleDD
PMPDD
PolystyreneDD
PolycarbonateDD
PETGDD
Acetal (POM)DD
Nylon (PA)DD
PolysulfoneDD
Fluoropolymers
PTFEA–
FEPA–
PVDFDD
Elastomers
EPDMDD
Viton (FPM)A–
NBRDD
Metals
SS 316AA
SS 304AB
AluminiumAC

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

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.

Chlorine 90 %Chlorine Gas 90 %Carbon Tetrachloride 86 %Cresol 86 %Trichloroethylene (TCE) 86 %Carbon Disulfide 85 %