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HDPE and Transformer Oil: Chemical Resistance

High-density polyethylene

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
concentration not statedAC

Material comparison at 20 °C

Transformer Oil: Material comparison at 20 °CHDPE: A (highlighted); Aluminium: A; FEP: A; Nylon (PA): A; PETG: A; PMP: A.Aluminium: AFEP: AHDPE: AHDPENylon (PA): APETG: APMP: APP: APolystyrene: APolysulfone: APTFE: APVC Rigid: ASAN: ASS 304: ASS 316: AViton (FPM): BLDPE: CNBR: CPolycarbonate: CAcetal (POM): CPVDF: CEPDM: DECTFE/ETFE: –PVC 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

HDPE shows very good resistance (A) to Transformer Oil at 20 °C, meaning the material remains essentially unaffected by this chemical under standard laboratory test conditions. However, at 50 °C the resistance rating drops, indicating that temperature must be factored into the design. For heated applications, additional testing under actual service conditions is strongly recommended.

Application context

Transformer Oil is commonly encountered in electroplating and food processing. HDPE (High-density polyethylene) is a thermoplastic typically used for tanks, piping, containers and liners. The compatibility between these two is therefore an important consideration for engineers and procurement teams selecting containment, transfer, or processing equipment.

Practical recommendation

HDPE can be used with confidence for Transformer Oil containment and handling. The A rating indicates that the material shows no significant change in weight, dimensions, or mechanical properties after prolonged contact under test conditions. At elevated temperatures (50 °C), some reduction in resistance occurs, so periodic inspection is advisable for heated applications. Always verify performance under actual operating conditions before committing to a design.

Did you know?

Chemical resistance testing according to DIN and ISO standards typically evaluates weight change, dimensional change, and retention of tensile strength after immersion.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Thermoplastics
PP A, PVC Rigid A, Nylon (PA) A, Polystyrene A, Polysulfone A, PETG A, PMP A, SAN A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, FEP A
Elastomers
Viton (FPM) B
Metals
SS 316 A, SS 304 A, Aluminium A

About HDPE

High-density polyethylene resists most aqueous acids, alkalis and salt solutions. Strong oxidising acids, chlorinated solvents and aromatic hydrocarbons attack or swell it. Continuous service is usually limited to about 80 °C.

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.