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EPDM and Potassium Hypochlorite: Chemical Resistance

Ethylene propylene diene rubber

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
diluteC–

Material comparison at 20 °C

Potassium Hypochlorite: Material comparison at 20 °CEPDM: C (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: CEPDMNBR: CNylon (PA): CPolycarbonate: CPETG: CPolystyrene: CSS 304: CAluminium: DAcetal (POM): DECTFE/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

EPDM has limited resistance (C) to Potassium Hypochlorite at dilute 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

Potassium Hypochlorite is commonly encountered in chemical processing and bleaching. EPDM (Ethylene propylene diene rubber) is an elastomer typically used for seals, O-rings, hoses and flexible connections. 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

EPDM has limited resistance to Potassium Hypochlorite 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, HDPE, LDPE, PMP offer significantly better resistance and are rated A.

Did you know?

In industrial practice, EPDM components exposed to Potassium Hypochlorite are typically inspected for swelling, discoloration, or loss of mechanical strength as early indicators of chemical attack.

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 EPDM

EPDM resists water, steam, alkalis, ketones and alcohols. Mineral oils, fuels and aromatic solvents swell it severely.

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.