Polyurethane’s Chemical Resistance
The strength of a material to resist degradation by chemicals
Why It Matters
Polyurethane resists degradation to a long list of chemicals. This makes it suitable for many industrial applications. Polyurethane’s chemical resistance is dependent on its formulation. It is important to identify any chemicals that will be present in your application so that we can tailor the formulation to have the best resistance.
Measurement
Testing usually consists of immersing polyurethane samples in the chemical(s) of question. Typical testing is done at room temperature and lasts for several days. Exposure time, temperature, chemical concentration, and aeration are important factors to consider, and may not be fully represented by the standard testing regimen. Testing that is specific to your application is highly encouraged.
Typical Values
Polyurethane’s chemical resistance varies between polyurethane formulations. In general: Polyester type polyurethane is more resistant to oils, solvents, and weak acids/bases. And polyether type polyurethane is more resistant to water exposure. We can perform testing to replicate your application’s environment. Please contact us for details. We have already assessed and graded polyurethane’s resistance against a wide range of chemicals (see list below).
Acetic Acid, Acetone, Adipic Acid, Aluminum Chloride, Aluminum Sulfate, Aluminum Sulfide, Ammonia, Ammonium Acetate, Ammonium Carbonate, Ammonium Hydroxide, Ammonium Nitrate, Ammonium Persulfate, Ammonium Sulfate, Ammonium Thiocyanate, Amyl Acetate, Amyl Alcohol, Aniline, Aniline Hydrochloride, Animal Fats & Oils, Antimony Salts, Aqua Regia, Arsenic Salts, Asphalt, ASTM Oil #1, ASTM Oil #2, ASTM Oil #3, ASTM Reference Fuel A, ASTM Reference Fuel B, Atlantic Oil, Barium Carbonate, Barium Sulfate, Barium Sulfide, Beer, Benzaldehyde, Benzene, Benzoic Acid, Boric Acid, Brine, Bromine, Bunker Oil, Butane, Butter (Animal Fat), Butyl Acetate, Butyl Alcohol, Butyl Cellosolve, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Chloride, Calcium Hydroxide, Calcium Nitrate, Calcium Sulfate, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Disulfide, Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Tetrachloride, Cellosolve, Chlorine (Dry), Chlorine (Wet), Chloroacetic Acid, Chloroform, Chromic Acid, Chromium Potassium Sulfate, Citric Acid, Copper Chloride, Copper Nitrate, Copper Sulfate, Corn Oil, Cottonseed Oil, Cresol, Cyclohexane, Cyclohexanone, Denatured Alcohol, Detergent Solutions, Dibutyl Ether, Dichlorobenzene (Ortho), Dimethyl Acetamide, Dimethyl Formamide, DTE Oil (heavy, medium), Ether, Ethyl Acetate, Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol), Ethyl Bromide, Ethyl Chloride, Ethylene Glycol, Ethylene Oxide, Ferric Chloride, Ferric Nitrate, Ferrous Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Formaldehyde, Formic Acid, Fuel Oil, Gasoline, Gear Oil, Glycerine (Glycerol), Glycols, Greases, Heptane, Hexane, Hydrazine, Hydrocarbon Oil, Hydrochloric Acid, 20%, Hydrofluoric Acid, Hydrogen, Hydrogen Peroxide, Hydrogen Sulfide, Isooctane, Isopropyl Alcohol (Isopropanol), Isopropyl Ether, JP-4, JP-5, JP-6, Kerosene, Lactic Acid, Lead Acetate, Linseed Oil, Lubricating Oil, Magnesium Hydroxide, Magnesium Salts, Maleic Acid, Mercury, Methyl Alcohol (methanol), Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Methylene Chloride, MIL-H-5606 Oil, MIL-L-7808, Mineral Oil, Mobil Arctic Oil, Naphthalene, Natural Gas, Nickel Salts, Nitric Acid, Nitrobenzene, Nitrogen, Oleic Acid, Oxalic Acid (5%), Oxygen, Ozone, Paints, Palmitic Acid, Perchloric Acid, Perchloroethylene, Petroleum, Phenol (carbolic acid), Phosphoric Acid (concentrated), Phosphoric Acid (diluted), Pickling Solution, Potassium Cyanide, Potassium Salts, Propane, Propyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Pydraul Oil, SAE # 10 Oil, Seawater, Silicic Acid, Silicone Oils, Greases, Silver Nitrate, Skydrol Oil (500), Soap, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Bisulfate, Sodium Borate, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cyanide, Sodium Dichromate, Sodium Ferrocyanide, Sodium Fluoride, Sodium Hydrosulfite, Sodium Hydroxide, 45%, Sodium Hypochlorite, 5%, Sodium Nitrate, Sodium Silicate, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Sulfide, Steam, Stoddard Solvent, Styrene, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulfuric Acid, 10-50%, Tannic Acid, 10%, Tartaric Acid, Tin Salts, Titanium Salts, Toluene, Transformer Oil, Trichloroacetic Acid, Trichloroethylene, Tricresyl Phosphate, Triethanol Amine, Trisodium Phosphate, Turpentine, Urea, Varnish, Water, Xylene, Xylol, Zinc Chloride, Zinc Sulfate.
