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Acetal (POM) and Potassium Hypochlorite: Chemical Resistance

Polyoxymethylene (acetal)

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
diluteDD

Material comparison at 20 °C

Potassium Hypochlorite: Material comparison at 20 °CAcetal (POM): D (highlighted); FEP: A; Viton (FPM): A; HDPE: A; LDPE: A; PMP: A.FEP: AViton (FPM): AHDPE: ALDPE: APMP: APP: APolysulfone: APTFE: APVC Rigid: APVC Flexible: APVDF: ASS 316: BEPDM: CNBR: CNylon (PA): CPolycarbonate: CPETG: CPolystyrene: CSS 304: CAluminium: DAcetal (POM): DPOMECTFE/ETFE: –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

Acetal (POM) is not resistant (D) to Potassium Hypochlorite at dilute and should not be used in direct contact. The chemical is expected to cause rapid degradation, which can include dissolution, cracking, severe swelling, or complete structural failure of the material.

Application context

Potassium Hypochlorite is commonly encountered in bleaching and waste treatment. Acetal (POM) (Polyoxymethylene (acetal)) is a thermoplastic typically used for tanks, piping, containers and liners. Because Potassium Hypochlorite is classified as corrosive, the choice of containment material is especially critical to prevent leaks, equipment damage, and safety hazards.

Practical recommendation

Acetal (POM) is not recommended for use with Potassium Hypochlorite. The D rating indicates that the material will suffer rapid and severe degradation, which may include cracking, dissolution, severe swelling, or complete structural failure. Using this combination risks equipment damage, leaks, and potential safety incidents. Consider using HDPE, LDPE, PMP instead, which are rated A for this chemical and offer reliable long-term performance.

Did you know?

Polyoxymethylene (acetal) 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 dilute, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
HDPE A, PP A, PVC Rigid A, LDPE A, PVC Flexible A, Polysulfone A, PMP A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, PVDF A, FEP A
Elastomers
Viton (FPM) A
Metals
SS 316 B

About Acetal (POM)

Acetal (POM) resists many organic solvents and fuels. Strong acids and oxidising agents degrade it.

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.