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Chemical compatibility guide for polyethylene
Chemical compatibility guide for polyethylene
Chemical compatibility guide for polyethylene secondary containment products
When considering a molded polyethylene product for use as secondary containment, it is important to note that most secondary containment products are designed to capture and hold leaked chemicals for a matter of hours, a day, and, at most, a week. Chemicals collected in spill containment pallets and other secondary containment products should be promptly transferred to appropriate storage containers and the secondary containment units should be properly cleaned to remove remaining chemical residue. In these short-term applications, a greater variety of chemicals may be used with the polyethylene since the exposure time of the chemical to the polyethylene is limited.
Polyethylene is susceptible to attack by some chemicals, which may cause stress cracking, swelling, oxidation or may permeate the polyethylene. These reactions may reduce the physical properties of polyethylene.
Chemicals listed alphabetically below are rated for contact compatibility with polyethylene. Use this as one guideline for selecting secondary containment suited to the chemicals being stored. More importantly, proper storage and safe handling information should be reviewed that is provided by the chemical manufacturers as should the related Material Safety Data Sheets.
Information provided by and used with permission from UltraTech International, Inc.
A ______________________________________________________________________________
Key to chemical compatibility for polyethylene secondary containment
|
A
|
Suitable for long-term storage at 100 degrees F or less.
|
B
|
Suitable for short-term storage less than one year.
|
C
|
DO NOT STORE THESE CHEMICALS in polyethylene containers.
|
|
User testing may prove some of these chemicals are suitable for secondary containment applications with exposure time of one week or less.
|
Acetaldehyde (40%), A
Acetamide, A
Acetone, A
Acetylene Tetrabromide, B
Acrylic Emulsions, B
Acrylonitrile, A
Adipic Acid, A
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons, A
Alkaline, A
Allyl Alcohol (96%), A
Aluminum Chloride (20%), A
Aluminum Fluoride, A
Aluminum Hydrogen Solution (10%), A
Aluminum Hydroxide, A
Alums (All Types), A
Ammonia (Aqueous), A
Ammonium Acetate, A
Ammonium Bifluoride, A
Ammonium Carbonate (50%), A
Ammonium Chloride, A
Ammonium Hydrogen Fluoride (50%), A
Ammonium Hydroxide, A
Ammonium Metaphosphate Sat'd, A
Ammonium Nitrate Sat'd, A
Ammonium Persulfate Sat'd, A
Ammonium Phosphate, A
Ammonium Salts, A
Ammonium Sulfate Sat'd, A
Ammonium Sulfide, Sat'd, A
Ammonium Thiocyanate Sat'd, A
Amyl Acetate, A
Amyl Alcohol (100%), A
Amyl Chloride, C
Aniline (100%), B
Aniline Hydrochloride, B
Antifreeze, A
Antimony Salts, A
Antimony Trichloride (90%), A
Aqua Regia, C
Aqueous Alkalies (NaOH), A
Arsenic Acid, A
Acetic Acid (50%), A
Acetic Acid Anhydride, B
Acetic Ether, B
B ______________________________________________________________________________
Key to chemical compatibility for polyethylene secondary containment
|
A
|
Suitable for long-term storage at 100 degrees F or less.
|
B
|
Suitable for short-term storage less than one year.
|
C
|
DO NOT STORE THESE CHEMICALS in polyethylene containers.
|
|
User testing may prove some of these chemicals are suitable for secondary containment applications with exposure time of one week or less.
|
Barium Carbonate, A
Barium Chloride, A
Barium Cyanide, A
Barium Hydroxide, A
Barium Nitrate, A
Barium Salts, A
Barium Sulfate, A
Barium Sulfide, A
Battery Fluid, Acid, B
Benzaldehyde, A
Benzene Sulfonic Acid, B
Benzene, B
Benzoic Acid, A
Benzyl Alcohol, A
Benzyl Chloroformate, A
Boric Acid Conc., A
Boric Acid Dilute, A
Borax Cold Sat'd, A
Bromine, Liquid, C
Bromine, Water, C
Bromobenzene, C
Bromoform, C
Butadiene, A
Butanediol (100%), A
Butanol, A
Butyl Acetate, A
Butyl Alcohol (100%), A
Butyl Phenol, C
Butylene Glycol, A
Butylene Liquid, C
Butylene, C
Butyric Acid, A
C ______________________________________________________________________________
Key to chemical compatibility for polyethylene secondary containment
|
A
|
Suitable for long-term storage at 100 degrees F or less.
|
B
|
Suitable for short-term storage less than one year.
|
C
|
DO NOT STORE THESE CHEMICALS in polyethylene containers.
|
|
User testing may prove some of these chemicals are suitable for secondary containment applications with exposure time of one week or less.
|
Calcium Carbonate, A
Calcium Chloride, A
Calcium Hydroxide, A
Calcium Hypochlorite, A
Calcium Nitrate (50%), A
Calcium Sulfate, A
Carbon Bisulfide, C
Carbon Disulfide, C
Carbon Monoxide, A
Carbon Tetrachloride, C
Carbonic Acid (Aq. C02), A
Caustic (Aqueous), A
Caustic Potash Sol. (50%), A
Caustic Soda Sol. (10%), A
Chloroacetic Acid, A
Chlorobenzene, A
Chloroform, C
Chloromethane, C
Chlorosulfonic Acid (100%), C
Chrome Alum Sat'd, A
Chromic Acid (50%), B
Copper Cyanide, A
Cresylic Acid, A
Crotonic Aldehyde, A
Cuprous Chloride Sat'd, A
Cyclohexanone, B
Cyclohexane, A
Cyclohexanol, A
D ______________________________________________________________________________
Key to chemical compatibility for polyethylene secondary containment
|
A
|
Suitable for long-term storage at 100 degrees F or less.
|
B
|
Suitable for short-term storage less than one year.
|
C
|
DO NOT STORE THESE CHEMICALS in polyethylene containers.
|
|
User testing may prove some of these chemicals are suitable for secondary containment applications with exposure time of one week or less.
|
Dextrin Sat'd, A
Dextrose Sat'd, A
Di Isobutyl Ketone, B
Dibutyl Ether, C
Dibutyl Sebacate, B
Dibutylphthalate, B
Dichloroacetic Acid, B
Dichlorobenzene, Liquid, C
Dichloroethylene, C
Diesel Fuel, B
Diesel Oil, B
Diethanolamine, B
Diethyl Carbonate, A
Diethylene Glycol, A
Diglycolic Acid (30%), A
Dimethyl Formamide, B
Dimethylamine, B
Dinonyl Phthalate, C
Dioctyl Phthalate, C
Dioxane, A
Diphenyl Oxide, C
Disodium Phosphate, A
E ______________________________________________________________________________
Key to chemical compatibility for polyethylene secondary containment
|
A
|
Suitable for long-term storage at 100 degrees F or less.
|
B
|
Suitable for short-term storage less than one year.
|
C
|
DO NOT STORE THESE CHEMICALS in polyethylene containers.
|
|
User testing may prove some of these chemicals are suitable for secondary containment applications with exposure time of one week or less.
|
Electrolyte, A
Ethanol, A
Ether, C
Ethyl Acetate (100%), B
Ethyl Alcohol, A
Ethyl Butyrate, B
Ethyl Chloride, C
Ethyl Ether, C
Ethylene Chloride, C
Ethylene Chlorohydrin, A
Ethylene Diamine, A
Ethylene Dichloride, C
Ethylene Glycol, A
Ethylene Oxide, C
F ______________________________________________________________________________
Key to chemical compatibility for polyethylene secondary containment
|
A
|
Suitable for long-term storage at 100 degrees F or less.
|
B
|
Suitable for short-term storage less than one year.
|
C
|
DO NOT STORE THESE CHEMICALS in polyethylene containers.
|
|
User testing may prove some of these chemicals are suitable for secondary containment applications with exposure time of one week or less.
|
Fatty Acids, A
Ferric Sulfate, A
Ferrous Salts, A
Ferrous Sulfate, A
Fluoboric Acid, A
Fluosilicic Acid (All Conc.), A
Formaldehyde (40%), A
Formamide, A
Formic Acid (All Conc.), A
Fuel Oil, A
Furfural (100%), A
Furfuryl Alcohol, C
G ______________________________________________________________________________
Key to chemical compatibility for polyethylene secondary containment
|
A
|
Suitable for long-term storage at 100 degrees F or less.
|
B
|
Suitable for short-term storage less than one year.
|
C
|
DO NOT STORE THESE CHEMICALS in polyethylene containers.
|
|
User testing may prove some of these chemicals are suitable for secondary containment applications with exposure time of one week or less.
|
Gallic Acid Sat'd, A
Gasoline, A
Gluconic Acid (All Conc.), A
Glycerine, A
Glycol, A
Glycolic Acid (All Conc.), A
H ______________________________________________________________________________
Key to chemical compatibility for polyethylene secondary containment
|
A
|
Suitable for long-term storage at 100 degrees F or less.
|
B
|
Suitable for short-term storage less than one yea, r.
|
C
|
DO NOT STORE THESE CHEMICALS in polyethylene containers.
|
|
User testing may prove some of these chemicals are suitable for secondary containment applications with exposure time of one week or less.
|
Heptane, A
Hexane, A
Hydrazone Hydrate, A
Hydrobromic Acid (50%), A
Hydrochloric Acid (All Conc.), A
Hydrocyanic Acid Sat'd, A
Hydrofluoric Acid (All Conc.), A
Hydrofluorosilicic Acid (All Conc.), A
Hydrogen Bromide (10%), A
Hydrogen Peroxide (90%), A
Hydrogen Phosphide (100%), A
Hydrogen Sulfide, A
Hydrochloric Acid, A
Hydroiodic Acid (All Conc.), A
Hydroquinone, A
Hydrosulfite (10%), A
Hydroxylamine Sulfate, A
Hydrozine (35%), A
Hydrozine Hydrochloride, A
Hypochlorous Acid, A
I_______________________________________________________________________________
Key to chemical compatibility for polyethylene secondary containment
|
A
|
Suitable for long-term storage at 100 degrees F or less.
|
B
|
Suitable for short-term storage less than one year. |
C
|
DO NOT STORE THESE CHEMICALS in polyethylene containers.
|
|
User testing may prove some of these chemicals are suitable for secondary containment applications with exposure time of one week or less.
|
Iso Octane, B
Isopropyl Acetate, A
Isopropyl Alcohol, A
Isopropyl Ether, C
J______________________________________________________________________________
Jet Fuel,B
K______________________________________________________________________________
Kerosene, B
L______________________________________________________________________________
Lactic Acid (All Conc.), A
Lead Acetate Sat'd, A
M______________________________________________________________________________
Key to chemical compatibility for polyethylene secondary containment
|
A
|
Suitable for long-term storage at 100 degrees F or less.
|
B
|
Suitable for short-term storage less than one year.
|
C
|
DO NOT STORE THESE CHEMICALS in polyethylene containers.
|
|
User testing may prove some of these chemicals are suitable for secondary containment applications with exposure time of one week or less.
|
Magnesium Carbonate, A
Magnesium Hydroxide, A
Magnesium Nitrate, A
Magnesium Oxide, A
Magnesium Salts, A
Magnesium Sulfate, A
Maleic Acid, A
Methanol, A
Methyl Acetate, A
Methyl Alcohol (100%), A
Methyl Amine (32%), A
Methyl Bromide, C
Methyl Chloride, C
Methyl Ethyl Ketone, B
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone, B
Methyl Isopropyl Ketone, B
Methyl Sulfate, A
Methyl Sulfuric Acid (All Conc.), A
Methylene Chloride, C
Mineral Oils, A
Monochloroacetic Acid Ethyl Ester, A
Monochloroacetic Acid Methyl Ester, A
Mowilith D, A
N______________________________________________________________________________
Key to chemical compatibility for polyethylene secondary containment
|
A
|
Suitable for long-term storage at 100 degrees F or less.
|
B
|
Suitable for short-term storage less than one year.
|
C
|
DO NOT STORE THESE CHEMICALS in polyethylene containers.
|
|
User testing may prove some of these chemicals are suitable for secondary containment applications with exposure time of one week or less.
|
Naphtha, B
Naphthalene, B
Nicotine Dilute, A
Nicotinic Acid, A
Nitric Acid <50%, A
Nitrobenzene, B
Nitrotoluene, B
O______________________________________________________________________________
Key to chemical compatibility for polyethylene secondary containment
|
A
|
Suitable for long-term storage at 100 degrees F or less.
|
B
|
Suitable for short-term storage less than one year.
|
C
|
DO NOT STORE THESE CHEMICALS in polyethylene containers.
|
|
User testing may prove some of these chemicals are suitable for secondary containment applications with exposure time of one week or less.
|
Octyl Cresol, A
Oleic Acid (All Conc.), A
Oleum Conc., C
Oxalic Acid (All Conc.), A
P______________________________________________________________________________
Key to chemical compatibility for polyethylene secondary containment
|
A
|
Suitable for long-term storage at 100 degrees F or less.
|
B
|
Suitable for short-term storage less than one year.
|
C
|
DO NOT STORE THESE CHEMICALS in polyethylene containers.
|
|
User testing may prove some of these chemicals are suitable for secondary containment applications with exposure time of one week or less.
|
Palmitic Acid, C
Paraffin Emulsions, A
Perchloric Acid (50%), A
Perchloroethylene, B
Petroleum Ether, B
Petroleum, A
Phenylhydrazine, C
Phosphoric Acid (All Conc.), A
Phosphorus (Yellow 100%), A
Phosphorous Chlorides, B
Phosphorous Pentoxide, A
Photographic Solutions, A
Phthalic Acid (All Conc.), A
Phthalic Anhydride, A
Pickling Baths, Sulfuric Acid, A
Picric Acid (1%), A
Plating Solutions, A
Potassium Aluminum Sulfates (50%), A
Potassium Bichromate, A
Potassium Borate (10%), A
Potassium Bromide, A
Potassium Chlorate, A
Potassium Chloride, A
Potassium Chromate, A
Potassium Cyanide, A
Potassium Dichromate (40%), A
Potassium Ferri Ferro Cyanide Sat'd, A
Potassium Fluoride, A
Potassium Hydroxide, A
Potassium Nitrate Sat'd, A
Potassium Perborate Sat'd, A
Potassium Perchlorate, A
Potassium Phosphates, A
Potassium Sulfate, A
Propanol, A
Propargyl Alcohol (7%), A
Propionic Acid (50%), A
Propyl Alcohol, A
Propylene Dichloride (100%), A
Propylene Glycol, A
Propylene Oxide, A
Pyridine, B
Q______________________________________________________________________________
R______________________________________________________________________________
S______________________________________________________________________________
Key to chemical compatibility for polyethylene secondary containment
|
A
|
Suitable for long-term storage at 100 degrees F or less.
|
B
|
Suitable for short-term storage less than one year.
|
C
|
DO NOT STORE THESE CHEMICALS in polyethylene containers.
|
|
User testing may prove some of these chemicals are suitable for secondary containment applications with exposure time of one week or less.
|
Selenic Acid, A
Sewage, A
Silicic Acid, A
Silver Nitrate, A
Soda Ash, A
Sodium Acetate Sat'd, A
Sodium Benzoate, A
Sodium Bisulfate (10%), A
Sodium Bisulfite, A
Sodium Bromate, B
Sodium Chloride, A
Sodium Chlorite, A
Sodium Chromate, A
Sodium Disulfite, A
Sodium Dithionite (10%), A
Sodium Fluoride Sat'd, A
Sodium Hydroxide Conc., A
Sodium Hypochlorite, A
Sodium Nitrate, A
Sodium Oxalate, A
Sodium Persulfate, A
Sodium Phosphate, A
Sodium Sulfonates, A
Stearic Acid (All Conc.), A
Succinic Acid, A
Sulfuric Acid Picklilng Bath, A
Sulfuric Acid (98%), B
Sulfuric Acid, Fuming, C
Sulfurous Acid, A
Sulfuryl Chloride, C
T______________________________________________________________________________
Key to chemical compatibility for polyethylene secondary containment
|
A
|
Suitable for long-term storage at 100 degrees F or less.
|
B
|
Suitable for short-term storage less than one year.
|
C
|
DO NOT STORE THESE CHEMICALS in polyethylene containers.
|
|
User testing may prove some of these chemicals are suitable for secondary containment applications with exposure time of one week or less.
|
Tartaric Acid Sat'd, A
Tetrachloroethylene, C
Tetrachloroethane, C
Tetrahydrofurane, C
Tetrahydronaphthalene, C
Thionyl Chloride, C
Titanium Salts, B
Toluene Sulfonic Acid (All Conc.), B
Toluene, B
Transformer Oil, A
Tributylphosphate, A
Trichloroacetic Acid, B
Trichloroethane, C
Trichloroethylene, C
Trichloroethylene, C
Tricresyl Phosphate, A
Triethanolamine, A
Trioctyl Phosphate, C
Trisodium Phosphate Sat'd, A
Turpentine Oil, C
U______________________________________________________________________
V______________________________________________________________________
W_____________________________________________________________________________
X______________________________________________________________________________
Key to chemical compatibility for polyethylene secondary containment
|
A
|
Suitable for long-term storage at 100 degrees F or less.
|
B
|
Suitable for short-term storage less than one year.
|
C
|
DO NOT STORE THESE CHEMICALS in polyethylene containers.
|
|
User testing may prove some of these chemicals are suitable for secondary containment applications with exposure time of one week or less.
|
Xylene, C
Y______________________________________________________________________________
Z______________________________________________________________________________
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