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Acetal (POM) and Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach): Chemical Resistance

Polyoxymethylene (acetal)

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
12,5 % ClDD
15 %DD
diluteDD
saturatedDD

Material comparison at 20 °C

Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach): Material comparison at 20 °CAcetal (POM): D (highlighted); ECTFE/ETFE: A; FEP: A; Viton (FPM): A; PMP: A; Polystyrene: A.ECTFE/ETFE: AFEP: AViton (FPM): APMP: APolystyrene: APolysulfone: APTFE: APVC Rigid: ASAN: AHDPE: BLDPE: BPolycarbonate: BPP: BSS 316: BEPDM: CPETG: CPVDF: CSS 304: CAluminium: DNBR: DNylon (PA): DAcetal (POM): DPOMPVC Flexible: –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) maintains a consistent rating of D across all 4 tested concentrations (12,5 % Cl, 15 %, dilute, saturated) of Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) at 20 °C. The fact that the rating does not change with concentration within the tested range simplifies material selection, though the boundary conditions beyond this range remain untested. 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

Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) is commonly encountered in pulp and paper and bleaching. Acetal (POM) (Polyoxymethylene (acetal)) is a thermoplastic typically used for tanks, piping, containers and liners. Because Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) 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 Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach). 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 PMP, Polystyrene, Polysulfone instead, which are rated A for this chemical and offer reliable long-term performance.

Did you know?

The chemical resistance of Acetal (POM) depends not only on the chemical concentration but also on exposure time, mechanical stress, and the presence of other chemicals in the mixture.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for 15 %, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
HDPE B, PP B, PVC Rigid A, LDPE B, Polycarbonate B, Polystyrene A, Polysulfone A, PMP A, SAN A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, FEP A, ECTFE/ETFE 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.