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Toluene 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, PVDF, SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium, FEP, ECTFE/ETFE, Nylon (PA), Acetal (POM), PETG (10)
Rated B, good resistance
none (0)
Rated C, limited resistance
HDPE, PP, Viton (FPM), LDPE, PMP (5)
Rated D, not resistant
PVC Rigid, EPDM, NBR, Polycarbonate, PVC Flexible, Polystyrene, Polysulfone, SAN (8)
No data in the source
Silicone
Rated lower at 50 °C than at 20 °C
HDPE (C → D), PP (C → D), LDPE (C → D), Acetal (POM) (A → C)

Rating profile by material family

Toluene: Rating profile by material familyThermoplastics: 3 A, 4 C, 6 D. Fluoropolymers: 4 A. Elastomers: 1 C, 2 D, 1 no data. Metals: 3 A.Thermoplastics (13)Thermoplastics: 3 × A, very good resistance (PETG, Acetal (POM), Nylon (PA))A 3Thermoplastics: 4 × C, limited resistance (HDPE, LDPE, PP, PMP)C 4Thermoplastics: 6 × D, not resistant (PVC Rigid, PVC Flexible, Polystyrene, SAN, Polycarbonate, Polysulfone)D 6Fluoropolymers (4)Fluoropolymers: 4 × A, very good resistance (PTFE, FEP, PVDF, ECTFE/ETFE)A 4Elastomers (4)Elastomers: 1 × C, limited resistance (Viton (FPM))C 1Elastomers: 2 × D, not resistant (EPDM, NBR)D 2Elastomers: 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

Toluene: Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °CHDPE C → D; LDPE C → D; PP C → D; Acetal (POM) A → C.ABCDHDPE: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CHDPELDPE: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CLDPEPP: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CPPAcetal (POM): A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CAcetal (POM)
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
108-88-3
Formula
C7H8
Hazard symbols in the source
F (flammable), Xn (harmful) (pre-GHS European symbols; check the current safety data sheet)
Flammable
yes
Name in the source (German)
Methylbenzol

Resistance table

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPECD
LDPECD
PPCD
PVC RigidDD
PVC FlexibleDD
PMPCC
PolystyreneDD
SANDD
PolycarbonateDD
PETGA–
Acetal (POM)AC
Nylon (PA)A–
PolysulfoneDD
Fluoropolymers
PTFEA–
FEPAA
PVDFAA
ECTFE/ETFEAA
Elastomers
EPDMDD
Viton (FPM)CC
NBRDD
Metals
SS 316AA
SS 304AA
AluminiumAA

Not rated in the source, so not in the table: 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 Toluene at high concentrations?

The materials with an A rating (resistant) for Toluene at 20 °C are: PTFE, PVDF, SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium, FEP, ECTFE/ETFE, Nylon (PA). These can generally be used in direct contact.

Which materials should be avoided with Toluene?

Materials rated D (not resistant) for Toluene are: PVC Rigid, EPDM, NBR, Polycarbonate, PVC Flexible, Polystyrene, Polysulfone, SAN. These should not be used in contact with Toluene.

Does temperature affect chemical resistance to Toluene?

Yes. 4 of 20 tested materials show a worse rating at 50 °C than at 20 °C for Toluene. Materials affected include: HDPE, PP, LDPE, Acetal (POM).

Is PTFE safe for Toluene?

PTFE is rated A for Toluene 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.