At a glance
Ratings at 20 °C.
- Rated A, very good resistance
- PTFE, HDPE, PP, PVDF, PVC Rigid, EPDM, Viton (FPM), NBR, LDPE, FEP, ECTFE/ETFE, Nylon (PA), Acetal (POM), Polycarbonate, PVC Flexible, Polystyrene, PETG, SAN (18)
- Rated B, good resistance
- SS 316 (1)
- Rated C, limited resistance
- SS 304, Aluminium (2)
- Rated D, not resistant
- none (0)
- No data in the source
- Silicone, Polysulfone, PMP
- Rated lower at 50 °C than at 20 °C
- PVC Rigid (A → C), Aluminium (C → D), PVC Flexible (A → C)
- Risk of pitting or stress-corrosion cracking
- SS 316, SS 304
Rating profile by material family
Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °C
Substance
- Also listed as
- Seawater
- Name in the source (German)
- Salzwasser, Meerwasser
Resistance table
| Material | 20 °C | 50 °C | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermoplastics | |||
| HDPE | A | A | |
| LDPE | A | A | |
| PP | A | A | |
| PVC Rigid | A | C | |
| PVC Flexible | A | C | |
| Polystyrene | A | A | |
| SAN | A | A | |
| Polycarbonate | A | A | |
| PETG | A | A | |
| Acetal (POM) | A | A | |
| Nylon (PA) | A | – | |
| Fluoropolymers | |||
| PTFE | A | A | |
| FEP | A | A | |
| PVDF | A | A | |
| ECTFE/ETFE | A | A | |
| Elastomers | |||
| EPDM | A | A | |
| Viton (FPM) | A | A | |
| NBR | A | A | |
| Metals | |||
| SS 316 | B | B | pitting risk; corrected, see below |
| SS 304 | C | C | pitting risk; corrected, see below |
| Aluminium | C | D | |
Not rated in the source, so not in the table: PMP, Polysulfone, Silicone
Rating scale
- A very good resistance
- B good resistance
- C limited resistance
- D not resistant
- – no data
- K no general statement possible
A rating marked * is an estimate in the source, not a test result. An estimate is given as one value without a temperature.
Corrected and disputed values
- SS 304 (concentration not stated): source value 1/3L, shown as 3/3L. Stainless steel 304 pits in seawater. The Australian Stainless Steel Development Association limits it to fittings that are regularly washed with fresh water, and two charts rate it C. The source rates it A at 20 °C. [1] [2] [3]
- SS 316 (concentration not stated): source value 1/2L, shown as 2/2L. Stainless steel 316 is subject to crevice corrosion in seawater above about 10 to 15 °C. The source rates it A at 20 °C. [1] [2]
Source values use the scale 1 (very good) to 4 (not resistant); 1 = A, 4 = D.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which materials resist Seawater (Salt Water) at high concentrations?
The materials with an A rating (resistant) for Seawater (Salt Water) at 20 °C are: PTFE, HDPE, PP, PVDF, PVC Rigid, EPDM, Viton (FPM), NBR. These can generally be used in direct contact.
Does temperature affect chemical resistance to Seawater (Salt Water)?
Yes. 3 of 20 tested materials show a worse rating at 50 °C than at 20 °C for Seawater (Salt Water). Materials affected include: PVC Rigid, Aluminium, PVC Flexible.
Is PTFE safe for Seawater (Salt Water)?
PTFE is rated A for Seawater (Salt Water) 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.