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PETG and Sulfuric Acid: Chemical Resistance

Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (co-polyester)

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
1-6 %––
20 %––
40 %D*–
60 %D*–
80 %DD
95 %DD
fumingDD

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Material comparison at 20 °C

Sulfuric Acid: Material comparison at 20 °CPETG: D (highlighted); ECTFE/ETFE: A; FEP: A; Viton (FPM): A; PTFE: A; PVDF: A.ECTFE/ETFE: AFEP: AViton (FPM): APTFE: APVDF: ASS 304: ASS 316: APMP: BPVC Rigid: BHDPE: CLDPE: CPP: CAluminium: DEPDM: DNBR: DNylon (PA): DPolycarbonate: DPETG: DPETGAcetal (POM): DPolystyrene: DPolysulfone: DSAN: DPVC 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

PETG maintains a consistent rating of D across all 5 tested concentrations (40 %, 60 %, 80 %, 95 %, fuming) of Sulfuric Acid 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

Sulfuric Acid is commonly encountered in laboratory work and surface cleaning. PETG (Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (co-polyester)) is a thermoplastic typically used for tanks, piping, containers and liners. Because Sulfuric Acid is classified as corrosive, the choice of containment material is especially critical to prevent leaks, equipment damage, and safety hazards.

Practical recommendation

PETG is not recommended for use with Sulfuric Acid. 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 ECTFE/ETFE, FEP, PTFE instead, which are rated A for this chemical and offer reliable long-term performance.

Did you know?

The chemical resistance of PETG 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 95 %, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
PVC Rigid B, PMP B
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, PVDF A, FEP A, ECTFE/ETFE A
Elastomers
Viton (FPM) A
Metals
SS 316 A, SS 304 A

About PETG

PETG is a co-polyester for clear containers. Strong acids and alkalis and most organic solvents attack 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.