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Triethanolamine (TEA) Chemical Resistance

Resistance ratings for 24 plastics, elastomers and metals at 20 °C and 50 °C.

At a glance

Based on the row for technical grade, 20 °C.

Rated A, very good resistance
PTFE, HDPE, PP, PVDF, SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium, LDPE, FEP, Polystyrene, PETG, SAN (12)
Rated B, good resistance
EPDM, Nylon (PA), Acetal (POM), Polycarbonate (4)
Rated C, limited resistance
PVC Rigid (1)
Rated D, not resistant
Viton (FPM), NBR, PVC Flexible (3)
No data in the source
ECTFE/ETFE, Silicone, Polysulfone, PMP
Rated lower at 50 °C than at 20 °C
LDPE (A → B)

Based on the row for technical grade, 20 °C.

Rating profile by material family

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

Triethanolamine (TEA): Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °CLDPE A → B.ABCDLDPE: A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CLDPE
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
102-71-6
Formula
C6H15NO3
Hazard symbols in the source
Xi (irritant) (pre-GHS European symbols; check the current safety data sheet)
Concentrations listed
technical grade
Also listed as
Trihydroxytriethylamine; Tris(hydroxyethyl)-amine
Name in the source (German)
Triethanolamin (TEA)

Resistance table: Triethanolamine (TEA), technical grade

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEAA
LDPEAB
PPAA
PVC RigidC–
PVC FlexibleDD
PolystyreneAA
SANAA
PolycarbonateB*–
PETGA–
Acetal (POM)BB
Nylon (PA)B*–
Fluoropolymers
PTFEA–
FEPAA
PVDFA–
Elastomers
EPDMB–
Viton (FPM)DD
NBRDD
Metals
SS 316A*–
SS 304A*–
AluminiumA*–

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Not rated in the source, so not in the table: PMP, Polysulfone, 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.

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.