CHEMICAL RESISTANCE OF HDPE (high density polyethylene)

Following is Chemical Resistance data for High Density Polyethylene used in many Tuf-Tite® drainage and septic products. This information applies to polyethylene with densities from 0.941 to 0.965. It was compiled from materials included in the Thomas Microfile of Plastics Technology at the Paramus Information Center.

This information should only be used as a guide. If a question of performance arises, actual long-term shelf life or accelerated testing should be done.

Chemical Resistance
Chemical Resistance is a measure of effects under "No Load" conditions. During a chemical resistance test, many effects may appear, including
- Change in size or shape. (Swelling, shrinkage, distortion)
- Change in color. (Absorption, extraction, chemical reaction)
- Change in weight. (Absorption, extraction)
- Change in surface quality. (Crazing, cracking, loss of gloss, softening)
- Change in physical properties, such as strength and stiffness.
- 100% Concentration unless otherwise noted.

ASTM D543-60T Testing
Recommended testing time is 7 days. However, 4 weeks were used to obtain data presented here. In addition to the recommended testing temperature of 75°F, tests at 125°F were conducted. If no effects at 75¡ were seen, and severe effects developed at 125°F, caution against long-term continuous exposure was indicated.
Resistance Grading
Pure reagents were used in these tests. The report shows their effects on High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) according to the following grading system:

E - EXCELLENT. - Unaffected in any way.
G - GOOD. - Very slight discoloration. Expected life: Month to Years.
F - FAIR. - Slight Etching, discoloration, and/or dimensional change. Expected life: Weeks to Months.
P - POOR - Considerable change. Expected life: Days.
N - NOT RECOMMENDED. - Severe effect. HDPE became soft in hours; unusable in a few days.
S - SOLVENT

Again, these tests were conducted without external stress being applied. However, the information may be useful in determining if actual service tests or trial installations should be made.

Chemical 75°F. 125°F.
AcetaldehydeFN
Acetic
- 5%EE
- 25%EE
- 50%EE
- GlacialEG
Acetic AnhydrideEE
AcetoneEG
AcetophenoneGG
Acetamide
- PowderEE
- Saturated SolutionEE
Acetyl-di-Alanine (Powder)EE
Acetyl-di-Leucine-nEE
Acetyl-di-Methionine-n (Powder)EE
Acetyl-di-Tryptophan-n (Powder)EE
Acetyl-di-Vaine-n (Powder)EE
Acetylene TetrabromiideNN
AcetophenetidinEE
Adipic AcidEE
Alanine-diEE
Allyl AlcoholEE
Aloin (Powder)EE
Aluminum AcetateEE
Aluminum Chloride
- 21%EE
- SaturatedEE
Aluminum FlourideEE
Aluminum HydroxideEE
Aluminum OxalateEE
Aluminum OxideEE
Aluminum Potassium SulfateEE
Aluminum Sodium SulfateEE
Amino Acetic Acid (Glycine)EE
Aminobutric-a-di-AcidEE
Aminoisbutryic-2 AcidEE
AmmoniaGG
Ammonium Acetate (Saturated)EE
Ammonium Aluminum SulfateEE
Ammonium BicarbinateEE
Ammonium Biflouride (Saturated)EE
Ammonium BromideEE
Ammonium CarbonateEE
- SaturatedEE
Ammonium ChlorideEE
Ammonium Dichromate (Saturated)GG
Ammonium Fluoride
- 10%GG
Ammonium GlycolateGG
Ammonium Hydroxide*
- 5%GG
- 15%GG
- 30%GF
- ConcentratedGF
Ammonium MetaphosphateGG
Ammonium MolybdateEE
Ammonium NitrateGG
Ammonium OxylateGG
Ammonium PersulfateGG
Ammonium PhosphateGG
Ammonium SulfateGG
Ammonium SulfocyanideEE
Ammonium ThiocyanateGG
Ammonium ThioglycolateGG
Amyl-n AlcoholEG
Amyl Acetate-nFF
Amyl ChlorideNN
AmylPhthalateEG
Aniline*GF
Aniline SulphatEGG
Anise Seed OilFP
Anthranilac AcidEE
Antimony TrichlorideGG
Aqua Regia (3 parts conc.
- HCL - 1 part conc. HNO3
GP
Arsenic (Consentrated)GG
Arsenic TrioxideGG
Aspirin
- PowderEE
Atropine SulfateEE
Barium BromideEE
Barium CarbonateEE
- SaturatedEE
Barium ChlorideGG
- SaturatedEE
Barium HydroxideGG
Barium SulfateGG
Barium SulfideEE
BeerEE
BenzaldiehydeGF
- 1% (in isopropyl alcohol)EE
- 5% (in isopropyl alcohol)EE
- 10% (in isopropyl alcohol)EG
BenzeneFF
Benzene Hexachloride-gGG
- 20% (Lindane)NN
Benzene Sulfonic AcidGG
Benzoic Acid
- CrystalsEE
- SaturatedEE
Benzoyl AlcoholNN
- 1.5%GG
Benzoyl AcetateGF
Bismyth CarbonateGG
Borax
- PowderEE
- SaturatedEE
Boric AcidEE
- 10%EE
- Satruated SolutionEE
Boron TrifluorideGG
BrineEE
BromineNN
Bromo Toluene-mNN
ButadieneNN
Butanane-2, 4 p-Methoxy PhenoNN
ButterEE
Butyl-n AlcoholEE
Butyl-Sec AlcoholEG
Butyl-tert AlcoholEF
Butyl Acetate-nGF
Butyl ChlorideNN
Butylphenol-di-secNN
Butyl-n StearateGG
Butylphenol-di-tertNN
Butyric-n AcidNN
ButyaldehydeNN
Cadmium BromideEE
Caffeine Citrate (Saturated)EE
Calcium BromideEE
Calcium CarbonateGG
Calcium ChlorateEE
Calcium Chloride
- SaturatedEE
Calcium Chloride SulfateEE
Calcium Hydroxide (Concentrated)EE
Calcium Hyposhiorite
- PowderGG
- 20%EG
- SaturatedEG
Calcium NitrateEE
- SaturatedEE
Calcium Oxide
- PowderEE
- SaturatedEE
Calcium SalicylateEE
Calcium SulfateEE
Camphor CrustalsEG
Camphor OilNN
CarbazoleEE
Carbon BisulfiteNN
Carbon DioxideGG
Carbon MonoxideGG
Carbon TetrachloridePP
Carnuba WaxEE
Castor Oil U.S.P.EE
CatsupEE
Cedar Leaf OilPN
Cedar Wood OilNN
Cellosolve AcetateGF
Cesium BromideEE
Cetyl AlcoholEF
Chlorine
- 10% in AirFN
- 100%FN
- 10% (Moist)FN
Chloro-1, Nitropropane-1NN
Chloro-2, Phenylphenol-4GF
Chloroacetic Acid (Powder)EE
ChloroformFP
Chlorophenol-oNN
Chloropropionic AcidEG
Chlorosulphonic AcidNN
Chromic Acid
- 10%EE
- 20%EE
- 50%EE
- Plating SolutionEE
Chromic and Sulfuric Acid MixtureGG
CiderEE
CinnamonEE
Cinnamon OilNN
Citric Acid
- CrystalsEE
- 10%EE
Citronella OilFN
Cloves (Ground)GG
Clove OilGF
Coconut OilEG
Cod Liver OilEE
Coffee
- GroundEE
- Instant PowderEE
Copper ChlorideGG
- SaturatedEE
Copper CyanideEE
Copper FluoroborateEE
Copper NitrateEE
Copper SulfateEE
- SaturatedEE
Corn OilEE
Cottonseed OilEE
Cranberry SauceEE
CresolNN
Cumyl Phenol-pNN
Cuprous OxideEE
Cyanoacetic AcidEE
Cyclohexyl AlcoholEE
CyclohexaneNN
CycloexanoneFF
DecalinNN
Dehydroacetic Acid
- PowerEE
- 1%EG
DiacetoneEF
Dibutoxyethyl PhthalateEG
Dibutyl PhthalateEG
Dibutyl SeoacateEG
Dichlorobenzene-p (Paradow)FP
Dichlorobenzene-oNN
Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane
- 75% (DDT)EG
DiethanolamineGG
Diethyl BenzeneNN
Diethyl EtherNN
Diethyl KetoneFF
Diethyl MalonateEG
Diethyl PhthalateEE
Diethylene GlycolEE
Diethylene Glycol Butyl EtherEE
Diethylene Glycol Ethyl EtherEE
Diethylene Glycol Methyl EtherEE
Diethylene TriamineEE
Dihydroxyhenyl alanine-34-diEG
Dimethyle-dichloro-vinyl-phosphateGG
Dimethyl FormamideEE
Dioctyl PhthalateEG
Dioxane-1,4FF
Diphenyl AmineEG
Diphenyl OxideFP
Dipropylene GlycolEE
Dipropylene Glycol Methyl EtherEG
Ethyl Alcohol
- 40%GG
- AbsoluteGG
- (Formula 30) (USP)EE
- 2-B-95%EE
Ethyl AcetateGG
- 85-88%NN
Ethyl BenzeneNN
Ethyl BenzoateFF
Ethyl BromoacetateGG
Ethyl ButyrateFF
Ethyl Chloride
- GasNN
- LiquidNN
Ethyl ChloroacetateGG
Ethyl CyanoacetateEE
Ethyl LactateEE
Ethyl Monochloro AcetateGG
Ethyl SalicylateFF
Ethyl ChlorideNN
Ethyl ChlorohydrinNN
Ethyl DiamineEG
Ethylene DichlorideNN
Ethylene GlycolEE
Ethylene Glycol Butyl EtherEG
Ethylene Glycol Ethyl EtherEE
Ethylene Glycol Methyl EtherEE
Ethylene Glycol Phenyl EtherEE
Ethylene OxidePP
Ethylene Trichloride NN
Eugenol NN
Ferric Ammonium Sulfate
- CrystalsEE
- SaturatedEE
Ferric Chloride
- 40%GG
- SaturatedGG
Ferric NitrateGG
Ferric SulfateEE
- SaturatedEE
Ferrous Ammonium CitrateGG
Ferrous ChlorideGG
- SaturatedGG
Ferrous SulfateGG
- 15%GG
- 40%GG
- SaturatedGG
FluoboricGG
FluorineFN
FluosilicicGG
- 20%GG
Formaldehyde
- 10%EE
- 30%EE
- 37%GF
- 40%GF
Formic Acid
- 3%GG
- 10%GG
- 25%GG
- 50%GG
- 90%GG
- 98-100%GG
Furadehyde-2GG
Furfuryl AlcoholNN
Gallic Acid
- PowderEE
- SaturatedEG
Gasoline
- AviationGG
- EthylGG
- RegularGG
- WhiteGG
GlycerineEE
Glycerol TriacetateFP
GlucoseEE
Grape JuiceEE
Grapefruit JuiceEE
- ConcentratedEE
Heptane-nFP
Heptyl-2-AlcoholGG
HexachlorobenzeneEE
HexanePP
Hexyl-n AlcoholEG
Hexyl-2 AlcoholEG
HydrobromicEE
- 40%EE
- 50%EE
Hydrochloric
- 1-5%EE
- 10%EE
- 20%EE
- 30%EE
- 35% (concentrated)EG
HydrochlorousEE
HydrocyanicEE
Hydrofluoric
- 4%GG
- 40%GG
- 48%GG
HydrogenEE
Hydrogen Peroxide
- 1%EE
- 3%EE
- 12%EE
- 30%EE
- 90%EE
Hydroxylamine Hydrochloride
- (Concentrated)EE
Hydroquinone
- PowderEE
- SaturatedGG
Hypochlorous AcidEE
Isobutyl AlcoholEE
Iodine CrystalsFF
Iso-octaneFF
Isoeucine-diEE
Isopropyl AlcoholEE
Isopropyl AcetateFP
Isopropyl BenzeneNN
Isopropylphenol-oNN
Isopropylphenol-pNN
KeroseneFF
Lactic Acid
- 3%GG
- 10%GG
- 85%GG
LanolinEE
Lard EE
Lauryl AlcoholGG
Lauryl SulfateGG
- SaturatedGG
Lead Acetate
- CrystalsEE
- SaturatedEE
Lead ArsenateEE
Lead NitrateEE
Lemon JuiceEE
Lemon OilFP
Leucine-di (Powder)EE
Lime Juice (Concentrated)EE
Linseed Oil
- RefinedEE
- RawEE
- BoiledEE
Lithium Bromide (Saturated)EE
Lysine-Monohydrochloride-di (Powder)EE
Magnesium BromideEE
Magnesium CarbonateEE
- SaturatedEE
Magnesium ChlorideGG
Magnesium Chloride SulfateGG
Magnesium HydroxideGG
Magnesium Iodide (Saturated)EE
Magnesium NitrateEE
Magnesium SulfateGG
- 10%EE
- 20%EE
- SaturatedEE
Maleic AcidEE
- 10%EE
- 25%EE
MargarineEE
Mercapto Acetic Acid (95%)GG
Mercuric ChlorideGG
- 5%EG
- SaturatedEG
Mercuric CyanideGG
Mercurous ChlorideGG
Mercurous NitrateGG
Mesityl OxidePP
Methionine-di (Powder)EE
Methoxyethl OleateGG
Methyl Acetate (82%)GG
Methyl AlcoholEE
Methyl Amyl Alcohol EE
Methyl Bromide Liquid under 200 psiNN
MethylcychohexanePN
Methyl Ethyl KetoneGG
Methyl EugenolNN
Methyl Isobutyl KetoneFP
Methyl SalicylateGG
Methylene BromideNN
Methylene ChlorideFN
Methylene ChlorobromideFN
Methylene Iodide NN
Milk-regularGG
Milk-driedEE
Milk-wet paste (instant)EE
Meneral Oil USPEG
Mannitol Alcohol EG
Mono-Di-Tri- Propylene Glycol-MethylEE
- EthersGF
MonoethylanilineGF
MorpholineGF
Mustard (Prepared)EE
Naphtha (VMP)NN
Naphthalene
- CrystalsGP
- VaporsGP
Natural Gas (Wet)EG
Nickel ChlorideGG
Nickel Nitrate GG
Nickel Sulfate GG
Nitric Acid
- 1%EE
- 5%EE
- 10%EG
- 20%GG
- 25%GG
- 30%GG
- 50%GG
- 65%GF
- 70% (Concentrated)GP
NitrobenzeneNN
NitroglycerineGN
Nitrosyl ChlorideNN
Nitrous Acid NN
Nonyl-n AlcoholEE
Nutmeg OilNN
Octane-nEE
Octyl-n AlcoholEG
Octyl CresolFN
Oleic AcidEE
Olive OilEE
Orange JuiceEE
- ConcentrateEE
Orange OilNN
Orange Peelings (Fresh)EE
Oxalic Acid
- PowderEE
- SaturatedEE
OzoneGF
Palmitic Acid (Powder)EE
Palm OilEE
ParachlordineFF
Parafin OilGF
ParaldehydeGG
Peanut ButterEE
PentachlorophenoEG
- Dowicide "G" Sodium Salt (15%)EG
- Dowicide "G" Sodium Salt (10%)GG
- Dowicide "G" Sodium Salt (powder)EE
Pepper (Fesh Ground)GG
Peppermint OilGP
Perchloric Acid EE
Petroleum JellyEE
Penol
- CrystalsFN
- 5%EG
Penolsulfonic AcidEE
Pheonoxyacetic AcidEE
Phenyle Ethyl AlcoholEG
Phenyl Glycine Potassium SaltEG
Phenyl HydrazineGF
Penylphenol-oEE
Penylphenol-pEE
Penylphenol-o Sodium SaltEE
Phosphoric Acid
- 1-5%EE
- 10%EE
- 25%EE
- 30%EE
- 50%EE
- 85%EE
Phosphoric AnhydrideEE
Phthalic AnhydrideGG
Phosphorus OxychlorideNN
Phorphorus PentachlorideNN
Phosphorus TrichloriedGN
Picric AcidEG
Pine OilGF
Pine Needle OilNN
Polyethylene Glycol MonolaureateEE
Polyglycol E-300 to E-4000GG
Potassium Aluminum Chloride (50%)GG
Potassium Aluminum Sulfate (saturated)GG
Potassium BicarbonateGG
Potassium BisulfateEE
- SaturatedEE
Potassium BorateGG
Potassium Bromate
- PowderEE
- Saturated SolutionEE
Potassium BromideEG
- 3%EE
- SaturatedEE
Potassium CarbonateGG
Potassium ChlorateGG
Potassium ChlorideGG
Potassium Chloride SulfateEE
Potassium CyanideGG
Potassium Dichromate (saturated)GG
Potassium FerricyanideGG
- 25%EE
- SaturatedEE
Potassium HydroxideEE
- 1%EE
- 10%EE
- 30%EE
- 50%EE
- ConcentratedEE
Potassium IodideEE
- SaturatedEE
Potassium ManganateEE
Potassium Nitrate GG
Potassium PermanganateGG
- SaturatedGG
Potassium PersulfateEE
Potassium SulfateEE
- SaturatedEE
Potassium SulfideEE
- SaturatedEE
Propane GasNN
Propargyl AlcoholGG
Propyl DichloridePN
Propylene DibromideNN
Propylene DichlorideNN
Propylene GlycolEE
Propylene Glycol Methyl EtherEE
Propylene Oxide GF
Quinine SulfateGG
Resorcinol
- PowderEE
- SaturatedEE
- 5%EE
SalicyladihydeGG
Salicylic Acid
- PowderEE
- SaturatedEE
Salicylic OintmentGG
Sassafrass Oil GF
Serine-diEE
Sesame Oil GG
Silver AcetateEE
Silver NitrateEE
- SaturatedEG
Sodium Acetate
- PowderEE
- SaturatedEE
Sodium Aluminum SulfateEE
- SaturatedEE
Sodium Benzoate
- PowderEE
- SaturatedEE
Sodium BicarbonateEE
- SaturatedEE
Sodium BisulfateEE
- SaturatedEE
Sodium BisulfiteEE
- 4%EE
- SaturatedEE
Sodium BorateEE
- SaturatedEE
Sodium BromateEE
- 10%EE
Sodium Bromate-Sodium Bromide MixEE
Sodium BromideEE
- SaturatedEE
Sodium CarbonateEE
- 2%EE
- 7%EE
- 20%EE
- SaturatedEE
Sodium ChlorateGG
Sodium ChlorideGG
- 3%GG
- SaturatedGG
Sodium Chloride SulfateEE
Sodium Chloroacetate
- PowderEE
- SaturatedEE
Sodium DichromateEE
- SaturatedGG
Sodium FerricyanideGG
Sodium FluorideEE
- SaturatedEE
Sodium HydroxideEE
- 10%EE
- 30%EE
- 50%EE
- SaturatedEE
Sodium Hypochlorite
- 5% ChlorineEE
- 15%GG
Sodium NitrateEE
- SaturatedEE
Sodium PerborateEE
- SaturatedEE
Sodium PhosphateEE
- SaturatedEE
Sodium Salicylate (Powder)EE
Sodium SilicateEE
Sodium SulfateEE
- SaturatedEE
Sodium SulfideEE
- 25%GG
Sodium SulfiteEE
- SaturatedEE
Sodium Tetraborate (Borax)
- PowderGG
- Saturated SolutionGG
Sodium ThiosulfateEE
- SaturatedEE
SorbitolEE
Soybean OilEE
Spearmint Oil PF
Sperm OilEE
SpermacetEE
Spruce OilPN
Stannic ChlorideEE
Stannous ChlorideEE
Stearic Acid (Crystals)EE
Strontium BromideEE
Strontium Salicylate
- PowderEE
- SaturatedEE
SucroseEE
Sulfur ChlorideNN
Sulfur Dioxide
- DryEE
- MoistEE
- Liquid under 46 psiNN
Sufuric Acid
- 1-6%EE
- 10%EE
- 20%EE
- 40%EE
- 60%EE
- 80%GF
- 98%EG
Sulfur OintmentEE
Sufurous Acid
- 5%EE
- 6%EE
- 10%EE
- Concentrated EE
Sufur TrioxideGG
Sulfuryl ChlorideNN
Tannic Acid
- PowderEE
- 1%EE
- 20%EE
- SaturatedEE
Tartaric
- PowderEE
- SaturatedEE
Tea (Brewed)EE
- Moist LeavesEE
- InstantEE
Tea (Instant Paste)EE
TetrachloroethaneBN
Tetrachlorophenol-2,3,4,6EF
TetrahydrofurmFP
TetralinNN
Thioglycolic AcidEE
Thionyl ChlorideNN
Titanium TetrachlorideNN
TolueneFF
Tomato JuiceEE
TribromoethylbenzeneNN
Trichloroacetic (Crystals)GP
Trichlorobenzene-1,2,4NN
TrichlorothaneNN
TrichloroethyleneNN
Trichlorophenol-2,4,5GP
Trichlorophenol, Sodium Salt-2,4,5EG
Trichlorophenol, Sodium Salt 5%-2,4,5GG
Tricresyl PhosphateEE
TriethanolamineEE
- 5-50%EE
Triethylene GlycolEE
TriethylenetetramineGG
Tripropylene GlycolEE
Tripropylene Glycol Methyl EtherEE
Trisodium Phosphate
- PowderEE
- SaturatedEG
Tryptophan-dl (Powder)EE
Turkey Red OilGG
TurpentineFF
Tyrosine-dl (Powder)EE
Undecyl AlcoholEF
Urea GG
Valine-dl (Powder)EE
Vanilla ExtractEE
VaselineEE
Versene Fe-3 (Liquid)EE
Versenol (Powder)EE
VinegarEE
Vinyl ChlorideNN
Vinylidene ChlorideNN
Walnut OilGG
WaterEE
- DistilledEE
WhiskeyEE
Xylene-ONN
YeastEE
Zephrian Chloride
- (Benzalkonium Chloride)GG
Zinc BromideEE
Zinc CarobnateEE
- SaturatedEE
Zinc Chloride
- PowderEE
- 50% SolutionEE
- SaturatedEE
Zinc Hydrosulfite (10%)EE
Zinc OxideEE
- SaturatedEE
Zinc Oxide OintmentEE
Zinc SulfateEE
- SaturatedEE
Zinc StearateEE