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Propylene Glycol Chemical Resistance

Resistance ratings for 24 plastics, elastomers and metals at 20 °C and 50 °C.

At a glance

Ratings at 20 °C.

Rated A, very good resistance
PTFE, HDPE, PP, PVDF, EPDM, Viton (FPM), NBR, SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium, LDPE, FEP, ECTFE/ETFE, Acetal (POM), Polystyrene, PMP, SAN (17)
Rated B, good resistance
Polycarbonate, Polysulfone, PETG (3)
Rated C, limited resistance
PVC Rigid (1)
Rated D, not resistant
Nylon (PA) (1)
No data in the source
Silicone, PVC Flexible
Rated lower at 50 °C than at 20 °C
PVC Rigid (C → D), NBR (A → C), Polycarbonate (B → C)

Rating profile by material family

Propylene Glycol: Rating profile by material familyThermoplastics: 7 A, 3 B, 1 C, 1 D, 1 no data. Fluoropolymers: 4 A. Elastomers: 3 A, 1 no data. Metals: 3 A.Thermoplastics (13)Thermoplastics: 7 × A, very good resistance (HDPE, LDPE, PP, PMP, Polystyrene, SAN, Acetal (POM))A 7Thermoplastics: 3 × B, good resistance (Polycarbonate, PETG, Polysulfone)B 3Thermoplastics: 1 × C, limited resistance (PVC Rigid)Thermoplastics: 1 × D, not resistant (Nylon (PA))Thermoplastics: 1 × no data (PVC Flexible)Fluoropolymers (4)Fluoropolymers: 4 × A, very good resistance (PTFE, FEP, PVDF, ECTFE/ETFE)A 4Elastomers (4)Elastomers: 3 × A, very good resistance (EPDM, Viton (FPM), NBR)A 3Elastomers: 1 × no data (Silicone)– 1Metals (3)Metals: 3 × A, very good resistance (SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium)A 3
A very good resistanceB good resistanceC limited resistanceD not resistantno data
Number of materials in each family with each rating at 20 °C.

Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °C

Propylene Glycol: Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °CPVC Rigid C → D; Polycarbonate B → C; NBR A → C.ABCDPVC Rigid: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CPVC RigidPolycarbonate: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CPolycarbonateNBR: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CNBR
20 °C50 °C
Materials whose rating differs between 20 °C and 50 °C. Materials not shown keep their rating or have no 50 °C value.

Substance

CAS number
57-55-6
Formula
C3H8O2
Name in the source (German)
Propylenglycol

Resistance table

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEAA
LDPEAA
PPAA
PVC RigidCD
PMPAA
PolystyreneAA
SANAA
PolycarbonateBC
PETGB*–
Acetal (POM)A–
Nylon (PA)DD
PolysulfoneBB
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMA–
Viton (FPM)AA
NBRAC
Metals
SS 316A*–
SS 304A*–
AluminiumAA

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Not rated in the source, so not in the table: PVC Flexible, Silicone

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which materials resist Propylene Glycol at high concentrations?

The materials with an A rating (resistant) for Propylene Glycol at 20 °C are: PTFE, HDPE, PP, PVDF, EPDM, Viton (FPM), NBR, SS 316. These can generally be used in direct contact.

Which materials should be avoided with Propylene Glycol?

Materials rated D (not resistant) for Propylene Glycol are: Nylon (PA). These should not be used in contact with Propylene Glycol.

Does temperature affect chemical resistance to Propylene Glycol?

Yes. 3 of 17 tested materials show a worse rating at 50 °C than at 20 °C for Propylene Glycol. Materials affected include: PVC Rigid, NBR, Polycarbonate.

Is PTFE safe for Propylene Glycol?

PTFE is rated A for Propylene Glycol at 20 °C. A rating of A means resistant, B means limited resistance, C means partly resistant, and D means not resistant.

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.

Chemicals with a similar resistance profile

Same 20 °C rating on the share of materials shown.