Rating
| Concentration | 20 °C | 50 °C | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| technical grade | C | C |
Material comparison at 20 °C
Resistance overview
HDPE has limited resistance (C) to Palmitic Acid at technical grade 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
Palmitic Acid is commonly encountered in surface cleaning and chemical processing. HDPE (High-density polyethylene) is a thermoplastic typically used for tanks, piping, containers and liners. The compatibility between these two is therefore an important consideration for engineers and procurement teams selecting containment, transfer, or processing equipment.
Practical recommendation
HDPE has limited resistance to Palmitic Acid 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, Nylon (PA), PETG, Acetal (POM) offer significantly better resistance and are rated A.
Did you know?
High-density polyethylene was first developed in the 1950s and remains one of the most widely used thermoplastics in chemical handling equipment.
Materials rated A or B at 20 °C
Based on the row for technical grade, 20 °C.
- Thermoplastics
- PVC Rigid A, LDPE B, Nylon (PA) A, Acetal (POM) A, Polycarbonate B, Polystyrene A, PETG A, SAN A
- Fluoropolymers
- PTFE A, PVDF A, FEP A
- Elastomers
- Viton (FPM) A
- Metals
- SS 316 A, SS 304 A, Aluminium A
About HDPE
High-density polyethylene resists most aqueous acids, alkalis and salt solutions. Strong oxidising acids, chlorinated solvents and aromatic hydrocarbons attack or swell it. Continuous service is usually limited to about 80 °C.
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.