ChemicalResistance
ChemicalResistance.org

LDPE and Phosphoric Acid: Chemical Resistance

Low-density polyethylene

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
1-5 %AA
20 %AA
30 %AA
85 %AA

Material comparison at 20 °C

Phosphoric Acid: Material comparison at 20 °CLDPE: A (highlighted); ECTFE/ETFE: A; FEP: A; Viton (FPM): A; HDPE: A; Polycarbonate: A.ECTFE/ETFE: AFEP: AViton (FPM): AHDPE: ALDPE: ALDPEPolycarbonate: APMP: APP: APolystyrene: APolysulfone: APTFE: APVC Rigid: APVC Flexible: APVDF: ASAN: ASS 316: ASS 304: BEPDM: CAluminium: DNBR: DNylon (PA): DAcetal (POM): DPETG: –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

LDPE shows excellent resistance to Phosphoric Acid across all 4 tested concentrations (1-5 %, 20 %, 30 %, 85 %) at 20 °C, making it a reliable choice for storage, transfer, and handling applications involving this chemical at any of the tested strengths. 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

Phosphoric Acid is commonly encountered in laboratory work and surface cleaning. LDPE (Low-density polyethylene) is a thermoplastic typically used for tanks, piping, containers and liners. Because Phosphoric Acid is classified as corrosive, the choice of containment material is especially critical to prevent leaks, equipment damage, and safety hazards.

Practical recommendation

LDPE can be used with confidence for Phosphoric Acid containment and handling. The A rating indicates that the material shows no significant change in weight, dimensions, or mechanical properties after prolonged contact under test conditions. This holds true at both 20 °C and 50 °C, giving a good safety margin for typical process environments.

Did you know?

Low-density polyethylene is commonly chosen for tanks, piping, containers and liners because of its combination of chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and cost-effectiveness.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for 85 %, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
HDPE A, PP A, PVC Rigid A, Polycarbonate A, PVC Flexible A, Polystyrene A, Polysulfone A, PMP A, SAN A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, PVDF A, FEP A, ECTFE/ETFE A
Elastomers
Viton (FPM) A
Metals
SS 316 A, SS 304 B

About LDPE

Low-density polyethylene has a similar profile to HDPE but is softer and more permeable, so solvents swell it sooner. Continuous service is usually limited to about 60 °C.

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.