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Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) Chemical Resistance

Resistance ratings for 24 plastics, elastomers and metals at 20 °C and 50 °C. Listed at 4 concentrations, because the rating depends on it.

At a glance

Based on the row for 15 %, 20 °C.

Rated A, very good resistance
PTFE, PVC Rigid, Viton (FPM), FEP, ECTFE/ETFE, Polystyrene, Polysulfone, PMP, SAN (9)
Rated B, good resistance
HDPE, PP, SS 316, LDPE, Polycarbonate (5)
Rated C, limited resistance
PVDF, EPDM, SS 304, PETG (4)
Rated D, not resistant
NBR, Aluminium, Nylon (PA), Acetal (POM) (4)
No data in the source
Silicone, PVC Flexible
Rated lower at 50 °C than at 20 °C
HDPE (B → C), PP (B → C), PVDF (C → D), Viton (FPM) (A → C), LDPE (B → C), Polycarbonate (B → C), Polystyrene (A → C), PMP (A → C)
Risk of pitting or stress-corrosion cracking
SS 316, SS 304
Rating changes with concentration (20 °C)
PVDF: A (12,5 % Cl), C (15 %); Polycarbonate: B (12,5 % Cl), C (dilute)

Based on the row for 15 %, 20 °C.

Rating profile by material family

Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach): Rating profile by material familyThermoplastics: 5 A, 4 B, 1 C, 2 D, 1 no data. Fluoropolymers: 3 A, 1 C. Elastomers: 1 A, 1 C, 1 D, 1 no data. Metals: 1 B, 1 C, 1 D.Thermoplastics (13)Thermoplastics: 5 × A, very good resistance (PVC Rigid, PMP, Polystyrene, SAN, Polysulfone)A 5Thermoplastics: 4 × B, good resistance (HDPE, LDPE, PP, Polycarbonate)B 4Thermoplastics: 1 × C, limited resistance (PETG)Thermoplastics: 2 × D, not resistant (Acetal (POM), Nylon (PA))D 2Thermoplastics: 1 × no data (PVC Flexible)Fluoropolymers (4)Fluoropolymers: 3 × A, very good resistance (PTFE, FEP, ECTFE/ETFE)A 3Fluoropolymers: 1 × C, limited resistance (PVDF)C 1Elastomers (4)Elastomers: 1 × A, very good resistance (Viton (FPM))A 1Elastomers: 1 × C, limited resistance (EPDM)C 1Elastomers: 1 × D, not resistant (NBR)D 1Elastomers: 1 × no data (Silicone)– 1Metals (3)Metals: 1 × B, good resistance (SS 316)B 1Metals: 1 × C, limited resistance (SS 304)C 1Metals: 1 × D, not resistant (Aluminium)D 1
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

Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach): Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °CHDPE B → C; LDPE B → C; PP B → C; PMP A → C; Polystyrene A → C; Polycarbonate B → C; PVDF C → D; Viton (FPM) A → C.ABCDHDPE: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CHDPELDPE: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CLDPEPP: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CPPPMP: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CPMPPolystyrene: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CPolystyrenePolycarbonate: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CPolycarbonatePVDF: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CPVDFViton (FPM): A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CViton (FPM)
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
7681-52-9
Formula
NaClO
Hazard symbols in the source
O (oxidising), C (corrosive) (pre-GHS European symbols; check the current safety data sheet)
Concentrations listed
12,5 % Cl; 15 %; dilute; saturated
Also listed as
Chlorine Bleach Solution; Labarraque Solution (Sodium Hypochlorite); Sodium Hypochlorite Solution
Name in the source (German)
Natriumhypochlorit

Rating by concentration

Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach): Rating by concentrationHDPE: 12,5 % Cl B→C, 15 % B→C, dilute B→C, saturated B→C. LDPE: 12,5 % Cl B→C, 15 % B→C, dilute B→C, saturated B→C. PP: 12,5 % Cl B→C, 15 % B→C, dilute B→C, saturated B→C. PVC Rigid: 12,5 % Cl A→C, 15 % A, dilute A→C, saturated A→C. PVC Flexible: 12,5 % Cl A, 15 % –, dilute A, saturated –. PMP: 12,5 % Cl A→C, 15 % A→C, dilute A→C, saturated A→C. Polystyrene: 12,5 % Cl A→C, 15 % A→C, dilute A→C, saturated A→C. SAN: 12,5 % Cl A, 15 % A, dilute A, saturated A. Polycarbonate: 12,5 % Cl B→C, 15 % B→C, dilute C*, saturated B→C. PETG: 12,5 % Cl C*, 15 % C*, dilute C, saturated C*. Acetal (POM): 12,5 % Cl D, 15 % D, dilute D, saturated D. Nylon (PA): 12,5 % Cl D, 15 % D, dilute D, saturated D. Polysulfone: 12,5 % Cl A, 15 % A, dilute A, saturated A. PTFE: 12,5 % Cl A, 15 % A, dilute A, saturated A. FEP: 12,5 % Cl A, 15 % A, dilute A, saturated A*. PVDF: 12,5 % Cl A, 15 % C→D, dilute A, saturated C*. ECTFE/ETFE: 12,5 % Cl A, 15 % A, dilute –, saturated –. EPDM: 12,5 % Cl C, 15 % C, dilute C, saturated C. Viton (FPM): 12,5 % Cl A→C, 15 % A→C, dilute A→C, saturated A→C. NBR: 12,5 % Cl D, 15 % D, dilute D, saturated D. SS 316: 12,5 % Cl B, 15 % B, dilute B, saturated B. SS 304: 12,5 % Cl C, 15 % C, dilute C, saturated C. Aluminium: 12,5 % Cl D, 15 % D, dilute D, saturated D.12,5 % Cl15 %dilutesaturatedTHERMOPLASTICSHDPEHDPE, 12,5 % Cl: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CHDPE, 15 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CHDPE, dilute: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CHDPE, saturated: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CLDPELDPE, 12,5 % Cl: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CLDPE, 15 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CLDPE, dilute: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CLDPE, saturated: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPPPP, 12,5 % Cl: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPP, 15 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPP, dilute: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPP, saturated: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPVC RigidPVC Rigid, 12,5 % Cl: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CPVC Rigid, 15 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVC Rigid, dilute: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CPVC Rigid, saturated: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CPVC FlexiblePVC Flexible, 12,5 % Cl: A at 20 °CAPVC Flexible, 15 %: no data–PVC Flexible, dilute: A at 20 °CAPVC Flexible, saturated: no data–PMPPMP, 12,5 % Cl: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CPMP, 15 %: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CPMP, dilute: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CPMP, saturated: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CPolystyrenePolystyrene, 12,5 % Cl: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CPolystyrene, 15 %: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CPolystyrene, dilute: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CPolystyrene, saturated: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CSANSAN, 12,5 % Cl: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CASAN, 15 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CASAN, dilute: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CASAN, saturated: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPolycarbonatePolycarbonate, 12,5 % Cl: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPolycarbonate, 15 %: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPolycarbonate, dilute: C at 20 °C (estimate)C*Polycarbonate, saturated: B at 20 °C, C at 50 °CB→CPETGPETG, 12,5 % Cl: C at 20 °C (estimate)C*PETG, 15 %: C at 20 °C (estimate)C*PETG, dilute: C at 20 °CCPETG, saturated: C at 20 °C (estimate)C*Acetal (POM)Acetal (POM), 12,5 % Cl: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAcetal (POM), 15 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAcetal (POM), dilute: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAcetal (POM), saturated: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNylon (PA)Nylon (PA), 12,5 % Cl: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNylon (PA), 15 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNylon (PA), dilute: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNylon (PA), saturated: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDPolysulfonePolysulfone, 12,5 % Cl: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPolysulfone, 15 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPolysulfone, dilute: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPolysulfone, saturated: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFLUOROPOLYMERSPTFEPTFE, 12,5 % Cl: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPTFE, 15 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPTFE, dilute: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPTFE, saturated: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEPFEP, 12,5 % Cl: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEP, 15 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEP, dilute: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAFEP, saturated: A at 20 °C (estimate)A*PVDFPVDF, 12,5 % Cl: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVDF, 15 %: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CC→DPVDF, dilute: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAPVDF, saturated: C at 20 °C (estimate)C*ECTFE/ETFEECTFE/ETFE, 12,5 % Cl: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAECTFE/ETFE, 15 %: A at 20 °C, A at 50 °CAECTFE/ETFE, dilute: no data–ECTFE/ETFE, saturated: no data–ELASTOMERSEPDMEPDM, 12,5 % Cl: C at 20 °CCEPDM, 15 %: C at 20 °CCEPDM, dilute: C at 20 °CCEPDM, saturated: C at 20 °CCViton (FPM)Viton (FPM), 12,5 % Cl: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CViton (FPM), 15 %: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CViton (FPM), dilute: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CViton (FPM), saturated: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CA→CNBRNBR, 12,5 % Cl: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNBR, 15 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNBR, dilute: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDNBR, saturated: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDMETALSSS 316SS 316, 12,5 % Cl: B at 20 °C, B at 50 °CBSS 316, 15 %: B at 20 °C, B at 50 °CBSS 316, dilute: B at 20 °C, B at 50 °CBSS 316, saturated: B at 20 °C, B at 50 °CBSS 304SS 304, 12,5 % Cl: C at 20 °C, C at 50 °CCSS 304, 15 %: C at 20 °C, C at 50 °CCSS 304, dilute: C at 20 °C, C at 50 °CCSS 304, saturated: C at 20 °C, C at 50 °CCAluminiumAluminium, 12,5 % Cl: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAluminium, 15 %: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAluminium, dilute: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CDAluminium, saturated: D at 20 °C, D at 50 °CD
A very good resistanceB good resistanceC limited resistanceD not resistantno data
Each cell shows the rating at 20 °C. Where the rating at 50 °C differs, it follows the arrow. * marks an estimate in the source.
Show as a table
Material12,5 % Cl15 %dilutesaturated
Thermoplastics
HDPEBBBB
LDPEBBBB
PPBBBB
PVC RigidAAAA
PVC FlexibleA–A–
PMPAAAA
PolystyreneAAAA
SANAAAA
PolycarbonateBBC*B
PETGC*C*CC*
Acetal (POM)DDDD
Nylon (PA)DDDD
PolysulfoneAAAA
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAAAA
FEPAAAA*
PVDFACAC*
ECTFE/ETFEAA––
Elastomers
EPDMCCCC
Viton (FPM)AAAA
NBRDDDD
Silicone––––
Metals
SS 316BBBB
SS 304CCCC
AluminiumDDDD

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Resistance table: Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach), 12,5 % Cl

Remark: Javellewasser, neu

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEBC
LDPEBC
PPBC
PVC RigidAC
PVC FlexibleA–
PMPAC
PolystyreneAC
SANAA
PolycarbonateBC
PETGC*–
Acetal (POM)DD
Nylon (PA)DD
PolysulfoneAA
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMC–
Viton (FPM)AC
NBRDD
Metals
SS 316BBpitting risk
SS 304CCpitting risk
AluminiumDD

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

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

Resistance table: Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach), 15 %

Remark: Javellewasser, neu

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEBC
LDPEBC
PPBC
PVC RigidAA
PMPAC
PolystyreneAC
SANAA
PolycarbonateBC
PETGC*–
Acetal (POM)DD
Nylon (PA)DD
PolysulfoneAA
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFCD
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMC–
Viton (FPM)AC
NBRDD
Metals
SS 316BBpitting risk
SS 304CCpitting risk
AluminiumDD

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

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

Resistance table: Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach), dilute

Remark: Javellewasser, neu

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEBC
LDPEBC
PPBC
PVC RigidAC
PVC FlexibleA–
PMPAC
PolystyreneAC
SANAA
PolycarbonateC*–
PETGC–
Acetal (POM)DD
Nylon (PA)DD
PolysulfoneAA
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFAA
Elastomers
EPDMC–
Viton (FPM)AC
NBRDD
Metals
SS 316BBpitting risk
SS 304CCpitting risk
AluminiumDD

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Not rated in the source, so not in the table: ECTFE/ETFE, Silicone

Resistance table: Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach), saturated

Remark: Javellewasser, neu

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEBC
LDPEBC
PPBC
PVC RigidAC
PMPAC
PolystyreneAC
SANAA
PolycarbonateBC
PETGC*–
Acetal (POM)DD
Nylon (PA)DD
PolysulfoneAA
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPA*–
PVDFC*–
Elastomers
EPDMC–
Viton (FPM)AC
NBRDD
Metals
SS 316BBpitting risk
SS 304CCpitting risk
AluminiumDD

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Not rated in the source, so not in the table: PVC Flexible, ECTFE/ETFE, 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 Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) at high concentrations?

The materials with an A rating (resistant) for Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) at 20 °C are: PTFE, PVC Rigid, Viton (FPM), FEP, ECTFE/ETFE, Polystyrene, Polysulfone, PMP. These can generally be used in direct contact.

Which materials should be avoided with Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach)?

Materials rated D (not resistant) for Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) are: NBR, Aluminium, Nylon (PA), Acetal (POM). These should not be used in contact with Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach).

Does temperature affect chemical resistance to Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach)?

Yes. 8 of 20 tested materials show a worse rating at 50 °C than at 20 °C for Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach). Materials affected include: HDPE, PP, PVDF, Viton (FPM), LDPE, Polycarbonate.

Is PTFE safe for Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach)?

PTFE is rated A for Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) at 20 °C. A rating of A means resistant, B means limited resistance, C means partly resistant, and D means not resistant.

Does concentration affect chemical resistance to Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach)?

Yes. Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) is tested at 4 concentrations (12,5 % Cl, 15 %, dilute, saturated). Some materials change their rating depending on the concentration.

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.

Phosphoric Acid 67 %Hydrogen Fluoride 64 %Hydrogen Peroxide 60 %Potassium Hypochlorite 60 %Ozone 58 %Battery Acid 57 %