When selecting tubing for microfluidic applications, ensuring chemical compatibility is crucial to maintaining system integrity and performance. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) tubing is widely used due to its outstanding mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and thermal stability. It is highly resistant to many acids, bases, salts, and organic solvents, making it ideal for use in demanding environments where other materials might fail. PEEK’s resilience and durability under high temperatures and pressures further enhance its suitability for applications involving aggressive chemicals and challenging conditions.
However, not all chemicals are suitable for use with PEEK tubing, and understanding compatibility is essential for preventing degradation and ensuring safety. In this guide, we present a comprehensive table of chemical compatibility for PEEK tubing. This table, based on the chemical compatibility data provided by IDEX, is designed to help engineers, technicians, and researchers quickly determine whether PEEK is suitable for their specific applications, ensuring reliable and long-lasting performance in various chemical environments.
Refer to this table to make informed choices and maintain the efficiency and safety of your system.
💡 The chemical compatibility rating key is as follows:
- A = Little to No Effect
- B = Slight Effect (Minor Discoloration or Corrosion)
- C = Moderate to Severe Effect (Not Recommended)
🚨 The compatibility ratings provided in these tables are for general guidance only and may not be complete or accurate. They do not address potential contamination or changes in fluid properties due to tubing interaction. We do not guarantee the suitability of any material for specific purposes or the impact of tubing on fluid quality. For critical applications, conduct specific tests or seek expert advice.
PEEK Tubing: Chemical Compatibility Table
| Chemical Substance | Compatibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A | ||
| Acetaldehyde | A | |
| Acetic acid | A | |
| Acetic acid, glacial | A | |
| Acetone | A | |
| Acetonitrile | A | |
| Acetylene | A | |
| Acrylic acid | A | |
| Adhesives (not cyanoacrylates) | A | Room temperature only. |
| Aliphatic esters | A | |
| Alum, saturated | A | |
| Aluminum chloride | A | |
| Aluminum sulfate | A | |
| Ammonia, 880 | A | Room temperature only. |
| Ammonia, anhydrous | A | |
| Ammonia, aqueous | A | |
| Ammonium chloride, 10% conc. | A | |
| Ammonium hydroxide, 10% conc. | A | Room temperature only. |
| Ammonium hydroxide, conc. | A | Room temperature only. |
| Ammonium nitrate | A | |
| Amyl acetate | A | |
| Aniline | A | Elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Antimony trichloride | A | |
| Aqua regia | C | |
| Aromatic solvents | A | |
| Aviation hydraulic fluid | A | Room temperature only. |
| B | ||
| Barium salts (chloride, sulfide) | A | Room temperature only. |
| Benzaldehyde | A | Room temperature only. |
| Benzene | A | |
| Benzene sulfonic acid | C | |
| Benzoic acid | A | |
| Benzyl alcohol | A | Room temperature only. |
| Bleach | A | |
| Boric acid | A | |
| Brake fluid (mineral) | A | |
| Brake fluid (polyglycol) | A | |
| Brine | A | |
| Bromine | C | |
| Bromine (dry) | C | |
| Bromine (wet) | C | |
| Bromine water, saturated | A | |
| Butane | A | Room temperature only. |
| Butanol | A | Room temperature only. |
| Butyl acetate | A | Room temperature only. |
| C | ||
| Calcium bisulfide | A | |
| Calcium carbonate | A | Room temperature only. |
| Calcium chloride | A | |
| Calcium hydroxide | A | Room temperature only. |
| Calcium hypochlorite | A | |
| Calcium nitrate | A | Room temperature only. |
| Calcium sulfate | A | |
| Carbolic acid | A | Room temperature only. |
| Carbon dioxide (dry) | A | Room temperature only. |
| Carbon monoxide (gas) | A | |
| Carbon tetrachloride | A | |
| Carbonic acid | A | |
| Chloroacetic acid | A | |
| Chlorine | C | |
| Chlorobenzene | A | |
| Chloroform | A | Not recommended for use with PEEK rotor seals. |
| Chlorosulfonic acid | C | |
| Chromic acid, 40% conc. | A | Be cautious when using with tubing and frits; room temperature only. |
| Chromic acid, conc. | C | |
| Citric acid | A | |
| Copper acetate | A | |
| Copper carbonate | A | |
| Copper chloride | A | |
| Copper cyanide | A | |
| Copper fluoride | A | |
| Copper nitrate | A | |
| Copper sulfate | A | |
| Crude oil | A | Room temperature only. |
| Cupric fluoride | A | |
| Cupric sulfate | A | |
| Cuprous chloride | A | |
| Cyclohexane | A | |
| Cyclohexanol | A | Room temperature only. |
| Cyclohexanone | A | Room temperature only. |
| D | ||
| Dibromoethane | A | Room temperature only. |
| Dibutyl phthalate | A | Room temperature only. |
| Dichlorobenzene | A | Room temperature only. |
| Dichloroethane (1,2) | A | Room temperature only. |
| Diesel oil | A | Room temperature only. |
| Diethylamine | A | Room temperature only. |
| Diethylether | A | |
| Dimethyl formamide (DMF) | A | Room temperature only. |
| Dimethyl phthalate | A | Room temperature only. |
| Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) | B | Be cautious when using with tubing and frits. |
| Dioctyl phthalate | A | Room temperature only. |
| Dioxane | A | Room temperature only. |
| Diphenylsulfone (DPS) | B | Be cautious when using with tubing and frits; elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Dowtherm A | C | |
| Dowtherm G | B | |
| Dowtherm HT | B | |
| Dowtherm LF | B | |
| E | ||
| Ethane | A | Room temperature only. |
| Ethanol | A | |
| Ether | A | |
| Ethyl acetate | A | Room temperature only. |
| Ethylene dichloride | A | Room temperature only. |
| Ethylene glycol | A | |
| Ethylene glycol, 50% conc. | A | |
| Ethylene Nitrate | A | |
| Ethylene oxide (ETO) | A | Room temperature only. |
| Ethylene sulfate | A | Room temperature only. |
| F | ||
| Ferric chloride | B | |
| Ferric nitrate | A | Room temperature only. |
| Ferric oxide | A | |
| Ferric sulfate | A | |
| Ferrous chloride | A | Room temperature only. |
| Ferrous nitrate | A | Room temperature only. |
| Ferrous sulfate | A | |
| Fluorine | C | |
| Formaldehyde | A | |
| Formalin | A | Room temperature only. |
| Formic acid | B | |
| Freon 11 trichlorofluoromethane | A | Room temperature only. |
| Freon 113 trichlorofluoromethane | A | Room temperature only. |
| Freon 114 1,1 dichloro 1,2,2,2 tetrafluoroethane | A | Room temperature only. |
| Freon 12 dichlorodifluoromethane | A | Room temperature only. |
| Freon 134a | A | Room temperature only. |
| Freon 22 chlorodifluoromethane | A | |
| Freon 502 | A | |
| Fuel oil | A | Room temperature only. |
| G | ||
| Gas (manufactured) | A | Room temperature only. |
| Gas (natural) | A | Room temperature only. |
| Gasoline | A | Room temperature only. |
| Glycerol | A | Room temperature only. |
| Glycols | A | |
| H | ||
| Heptane | A | Room temperature only. |
| Hexane | A | Room temperature only. |
| Hydraulic fluid | A | Room temperature only. |
| Hydrazine | A | |
| Hydrobromic acid | C | |
| Hydrochloric acid, 10% conc. | A | |
| Hydrochloric acid, conc. | A | Elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Hydrocyanic acid | A | |
| Hydrofluoric acid (40%) | C | |
| Hydrogen peroxide | A | |
| Hydrogen sulfide (gas) | A | |
| Hydroxides | A | Room temperature only. |
| I | ||
| Iodine | B | Room temperature only. |
| Iso-octane | A | Room temperature only. |
| Isopropanol | A | Room temperature only. |
| K | ||
| Kerosene | A | Room temperature only. |
| Ketones | A | Room temperature only. |
| L | ||
| Lactic acid | A | |
| Lead acetate | A | |
| Lime | A | |
| Lubricating oil | A | Room temperature only. |
| M | ||
| Magnesium chloride | A | |
| Magnesium hydroxide | A | Room temperature only. |
| Magnesium sulfate | A | |
| Maleic acid | A | |
| Mercuric chloride | A | |
| Mercurous chloride | A | Room temperature only. |
| Mercury | A | |
| Methane (gas) | A | |
| Methanol | A | |
| Methylene chloride | A | Be cautious when using with tubing and frits; room temperature only. Not recommended for use with PEEK rotor seals. |
| Methylethyl ketone (MEK) | A | Elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Motor oil | A | |
| N | ||
| N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) | A | Room temperature only. |
| Naphtha | A | |
| Naphthalene | A | |
| Nickel acetate | A | |
| Nickel chloride | A | |
| Nickel nitrate | A | |
| Nickel salts | A | Room temperature only. |
| Nickel sulfate | A | |
| Nitric acid, 10% conc. | A | Prolonged exposure may cause deterioration. |
| Nitric acid, 30% conc. | B | Prolonged exposure may cause deterioration. |
| Nitric acid, 50% conc. | C | |
| Nitric acid, conc. | C | |
| Nitrobenzene | A | Room temperature only. |
| Nitrogen | A | Room temperature only. |
| Nitrous acid, 10% | A | Room temperature only. |
| Nitrous oxide | A | Room temperature only. |
| O | ||
| Oils (Di-Ester & Phosphate Ester Based) | A | |
| Oils (petroleum) | A | |
| Oils (vegetable) | A | |
| Oleic acid | A | Room temperature only. |
| Oleum | C | |
| Oxalic acid | A | |
| Oxygen | A | Room temperature only. |
| Ozone | A | Room temperature only. |
| P | ||
| Pentane | A | Room temperature only. |
| Perchloric acid | A | |
| Perchloroethylene | A | |
| Petroleum ether | A | |
| Phenol (conc.) | C | |
| Phenol (dilute) | A | Be cautious when using with tubing and frits; room temperature only. |
| Phosphoric acid, 10% conc. | A | |
| Phosphoric acid, 50% conc. | A | |
| Phosphoric acid, 80% conc. | A | |
| Phosphorous chlorides | A | |
| Phosphorous pentoxide | A | |
| Phthalic acid | A | |
| Picric acid | A | |
| Potassium aluminum sulfate | A | |
| Potassium bicarbonate | A | Room temperature only. |
| Potassium bromide | A | |
| Potassium carbonate | A | Room temperature only. |
| Potassium chlorate | A | |
| Potassium chloride | A | |
| Potassium dichromate | A | Room temperature only. |
| Potassium ferricyanide | A | Room temperature only. |
| Potassium ferrocyanide | A | Room temperature only. |
| Potassium hydroxide, 10% conc. | A | Room temperature only. |
| Potassium hydroxide, 70% conc. | A | Room temperature only. |
| Potassium nitrate | A | |
| Potassium permanganate | A | Room temperature only. |
| Potassium sulfate | A | |
| Potassium sulfide | A | Room temperature only. |
| Propane | A | Room temperature only. |
| Propanol | A | Room temperature only. |
| Pyridine | A | |
| S | ||
| Silicic acid | A | |
| Silicone Fluids | A | |
| Silver nitrate | A | |
| Skydrol hydraulic fluid | A | Room temperature only. |
| Sodium (hot) | C | |
| Sodium acetate | A | Room temperature only. |
| Sodium bicarbonate | A | Room temperature only. |
| Sodium carbonate | A | |
| Sodium chlorate | A | |
| Sodium chloride | A | |
| Sodium hydroxide, 10% conc. | A | |
| Sodium hydroxide, 50% conc. | A | |
| Sodium hydroxide, conc | A | Room temperature only. |
| Sodium hypochlorite | A | |
| Sodium nitrate | A | |
| Sodium nitrite | A | Room temperature only. |
| Sodium peroxide | A | |
| Sodium salts | A | Room temperature only. |
| Sodium silicate | A | |
| Sodium sulfate | A | |
| Sodium sulfide | A | |
| Sodium sulfite | A | |
| Stannic chloride | A | |
| Stannous chloride | A | |
| Steam | A | |
| Styrene (liquid) | A | Room temperature only. |
| Sulfites | A | |
| Sulfur | A | |
| Sulfur chloride | A | |
| Sulfur dichloride | A | |
| Sulfur dioxide | A | |
| Sulfur hexafluoride (gas) | A | Room temperature only. |
| Sulfur trioxide | A | |
| Sulfuric acid, | B | Prolonged exposure may cause deterioration. |
| Sulfuric acid, > 40% conc. | C | |
| Sulfurous acid | A | |
| T | ||
| Tannic acid, 10% conc. | A | |
| Tar | A | Room temperature only. |
| Tartaric acid | A | |
| Tetraethyl lead | A | Room temperature only. |
| Tetrahydrofuran (THF) | A | Be cautious when using with tubing and frits; room temperature only. Not recommended for use with PEEK rotor seals. |
| Toluene | A | Room temperature only. |
| Transformer oil | A | |
| Trichloroethane (1,1,1; “genklene”) | A | Room temperature only. |
| Trichloroethylene | A | |
| Trifluoromethyl sulfonic acid | C | |
| U | ||
| Urea | A | |
| V | ||
| Vaseline | A | Room temperature only. |
| W | ||
| Water | A | |
| Water, distilled | A | |
| Water, sea/salt | A | |
| X | ||
| Xylene | A | Room temperature only. |
| Z | ||
| Zinc chloride | A | |
| Zinc sulfate | A |
