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SS 304 and Phosgene: Chemical Resistance

Stainless steel 1.4301 (AISI 304)

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
liquidCD
gaseousCD

Material comparison at 20 °C

Phosgene: Material comparison at 20 °CSS 304: C (highlighted); FEP: A; Nylon (PA): A; PTFE: A; Acetal (POM): B; Aluminium: C.FEP: ANylon (PA): APTFE: AAcetal (POM): BAluminium: CEPDM: CViton (FPM): CLDPE: CNBR: CPolycarbonate: CPP: CPVDF: CSS 304: C304SS 316: CPVC Rigid: DECTFE/ETFE: –HDPE: –PETG: –PMP: –Polystyrene: –Polysulfone: –PVC Flexible: –SAN: –Silicone: –
A very good resistanceB good resistanceC limited resistanceD not resistantno data
Each bar is one material. Taller bars indicate better resistance. The highlighted bar is the current material.

Resistance overview

SS 304 maintains a consistent rating of C across all 2 tested concentrations (liquid, gaseous) of Phosgene at 20 °C. The fact that the rating does not change with concentration within the tested range simplifies material selection, though the boundary conditions beyond this range remain untested. However, at 50 °C the resistance rating drops, indicating that temperature must be factored into the design. For heated applications, additional testing under actual service conditions is strongly recommended.

Application context

Phosgene is commonly encountered in water treatment and laboratory work. SS 304 (Stainless steel 1.4301 (AISI 304)) is a metal typically used for vessels, heat exchangers, fittings and structural components. Because Phosgene is classified as corrosive, the choice of containment material is especially critical to prevent leaks, equipment damage, and safety hazards.

Practical recommendation

SS 304 has limited resistance to Phosgene 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), FEP, PTFE offer significantly better resistance and are rated A.

Did you know?

When choosing between metals for Phosgene service, engineers consider not just the resistance rating but also factors such as permeation rate, creep resistance, and weldability.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for gaseous, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
Nylon (PA) A, Acetal (POM) B
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, FEP A

About SS 304

Stainless steel 304 (1.4301) resists oxidising acids and most organic chemicals. Chlorides cause pitting and stress-corrosion cracking.

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.