When selecting chips for microfluidic applications, ensuring chemical resistance is crucial for maintaining system integrity and performance. PC (Polycarbonate) is highly valued due to its high resistance to chemicals, optically clear nature, and exceptional thermal stability. It is commonly used in medical, pharmaceutical, and food processing applications because of its excellent resistance to water, alcohols, and a variety of harsh chemicals.
However, like all materials, PC has its limitations, and not every chemical is compatible with it. Therefore, understanding resistance is essential for preventing degradation and ensuring safety. In this guide, we present a comprehensive table of chemical resistance for PC chips. This table, based on the chemical resistance data (at 20°C) provided by Reichelt Chemietechnik, is designed to help engineers, technicians, and researchers quickly determine whether PC chips are 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 resistance rating key is as follows:
- resistant = no effect to slight effect
- limited resistance = moderate effect
🚨 The resistance 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.
PC Chips: Chemical Resistance Table
| Substance/Media | Chemical Resistance |
|---|---|
| A | |
| Acetaldehyde (ethanal), 40% | limited resistance |
| Acetic acid (glacial acetic acid), concentrated | resistant |
| Acetic acid butyl ester (butyl acetate) | resistant |
| Acetic acid ethyl ester (ethyl acetate) | resistant |
| Acetic acid, 10% | resistant |
| Acetic acid, 5% | resistant |
| Acetic acid, 50% | resistant |
| Acetic ester (ethyl acetate, acetic acid ethyl ester) | resistant |
| Acetone (dimethyl ketone, propanone) | resistant |
| Acetylene gas | resistant |
| Adipic acid | resistant |
| Adipic acid, aqueous | resistant |
| Allyl alcohol | resistant |
| Allyl alcohol (2-propen-1-ol) | limited resistance |
| Aluminum hydroxide | limited resistance |
| Aluminum nitrate | resistant |
| Aluminum oxide | resistant |
| Aluminum potassium sulfate, diluted | resistant |
| Aluminum potassium sulfate, saturated | resistant |
| Aluminum sulfate | resistant |
| Aluminum sulfate, saturated | resistant |
| Amino acids | resistant |
| Aminoacetic acid | resistant |
| Aminobenzene (aniline) | limited resistance |
| Ammonia, 10% | resistant |
| Ammonium acetate | resistant |
| Ammonium carbonate, 50% | limited resistance |
| Ammonium chloride (salmiac) | limited resistance |
| Ammonium chloride, aqueous | resistant |
| Ammonium chloride, solid | resistant |
| Ammonium fluoride (Fluorammon) | limited resistance |
| Ammonium glycolate | resistant |
| Ammonium hydroxide, 5% | limited resistance |
| Ammonium nitrate, saturated | resistant |
| Ammonium oxalate | resistant |
| Ammonium salts of mineral acids | resistant |
| Ammonium sulfate (fertilizer) | resistant |
| Ammonium sulfate, 10% | resistant |
| Ammonium sulfate, saturated | resistant |
| Ammonium thiocyanate | resistant |
| Amyl alcohol (pentanol, pentyl alcohol) | resistant |
| Aniline (aminobenzene) | limited resistance |
| Anone (cyclohexanone) | limited resistance |
| Antimony trichloride, 90% | resistant |
| Antimony trichloride, anhydrous | resistant |
| Apple juice | resistant |
| Arsenic acid | resistant |
| Arsenic acid, aqueous | resistant |
| B | |
| Barium chloride | resistant |
| Barium chloride, saturated | resistant |
| Battery acid | resistant |
| Beef tallow | resistant |
| Beer | resistant |
| Benzaldehyde (benzoic aldehyde) | limited resistance |
| Benzene | resistant |
| Benzoic aldehyde (benzaldehyde) | limited resistance |
| Benzyl acetate | limited resistance |
| Benzyl alcohol (phenylcarbinol) | limited resistance |
| Bitter orange oil | limited resistance |
| Bitumen | resistant |
| Blue vitriol (copper sulfate) | resistant |
| Boric acid, 10% | resistant |
| Boric acid, aqueous | resistant |
| Butane | resistant |
| Butanoic acid (butyric acid, propanecarboxylic acid) | limited resistance |
| Butanol (butyl alcohol) | resistant |
| Butanol (butyl alcohol), secondary | resistant |
| Butanol (butyl alcohol), tertiary | resistant |
| Butanol-1 (butyl alcohol) | limited resistance |
| Butanone (methyl ethyl ketone, MEK) | limited resistance |
| Butter | resistant |
| Butyl acetate (acetic acid butyl ester) | resistant |
| Butyl alcohol (butanol) | resistant |
| Butyl alcohol (butanol), secondary | resistant |
| Butyl alcohol (butanol), tertiary | resistant |
| Butylene glycol (2-butoxyethanol, butyl cellosolve) | resistant |
| Butyric acid (butanoic acid, propanecarboxylic acid) | limited resistance |
| C | |
| Calcium carbonate (chalk) | resistant |
| Calcium chloride | resistant |
| Calcium chloride, 10% | resistant |
| Calcium chloride, aqueous | resistant |
| Calcium hypochlorite | limited resistance |
| Calcium hypochlorite, aqueous | resistant |
| Calcium hypochlorite, saturated | limited resistance |
| Calcium nitrate, 50% | resistant |
| Calcium phosphate | resistant |
| Calcium phosphate, aqueous | resistant |
| Calcium sulfate (gypsum) | resistant |
| Carbon dioxide | resistant |
| Carbon disulfide | resistant |
| Carbon tetrachloride (tetrachloromethane) | resistant |
| Carbon tetrachloride (tetrachloromethane, tetra) | resistant |
| Castor oil | resistant |
| Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide, soda lye), 50% | resistant |
| Cedar oil | resistant |
| Chalk (calcium carbonate) | resistant |
| Chloramine | resistant |
| Chlorine, 10%, wet | resistant |
| Chloroacetic acid (ethyl chloroacetate) | limited resistance |
| Chloroacetic acid ethyl ester (ethyl chloroacetate) | limited resistance |
| Chlorobenzene (monochlorobenzene) | resistant |
| Chlorodifluoromethane | limited resistance |
| Chloroform (trichloromethane) | resistant |
| Chrome alum | resistant |
| Chromic acid, 10% | resistant |
| Chromic acid, 20% | limited resistance |
| Chromic acid, 50% | limited resistance |
| Cinnamon | resistant |
| Cinnamon oil | resistant |
| Citric acid, 10% | resistant |
| Citric acid, 50% | resistant |
| Citric acid, saturated | resistant |
| Citrus fruits, citrus juices | resistant |
| Citrus juices | resistant |
| Coal gas, without benzene | resistant |
| Cod liver oil | resistant |
| Common salt (sodium chloride) | resistant |
| Cooking fats, cooking oils | resistant |
| Copper sulfate (blue vitriol) | resistant |
| Copper sulfate (blue vitriol), 10% | resistant |
| Copper(II) chloride | resistant |
| Cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons | resistant |
| Cyclohexane (hexamethylene, hexahydrobenzene) | limited resistance |
| Cyclohexanol (hexalin, anol) | limited resistance |
| Cyclohexanone (anone) | limited resistance |
| D | |
| Decahydronaphthalene (decane) | resistant |
| Decalin (decahydronaphthalene, decane) | resistant |
| Decane | limited resistance |
| Decanol | limited resistance |
| Dextrin | resistant |
| Dichloroacetic acid | limited resistance |
| Dichloroethane (ethylene chloride) | resistant |
| Dichlorofluoromethane | limited resistance |
| Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) | resistant |
| Dicothyl phthalate | resistant |
| Diesel fuel | limited resistance |
| Diesel oil | limited resistance |
| Diethyl malonate | limited resistance |
| Diethylbenzene | limited resistance |
| Diethylene glycol | limited resistance |
| Diethylene glycol ether | limited resistance |
| Diglycolic acid, 30% | resistant |
| Dihydroxysuccinic acid (tartaric acid) | resistant |
| Dimethyl ketone (acetone, propanone) | resistant |
| Dimethylbenzene (xylene) | resistant |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | resistant |
| Dinonyl phthalate (DNP) | limited resistance |
| Dioxane | resistant |
| Dioxane, 1,4- | limited resistance |
| Dipropylene glycol | resistant |
| E | |
| Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) | resistant |
| Ethanal (acetaldehyde) | limited resistance |
| Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, spirit), 100% | resistant |
| Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, spirit), 40% | resistant |
| Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, spirit), 50% | resistant |
| Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, spirit), 96% | resistant |
| Ethanol, 50% | resistant |
| Ethanol, 96% | resistant |
| Ethyl acetate (acetic acid ethyl ester, acetic ester) | resistant |
| Ethyl alcohol (ethanol, spirit) | resistant |
| Ethyl chloroacetate (chloroacetic acid ethyl ester) | limited resistance |
| Ethyl cyanoacetate | limited resistance |
| Ethyl ether (ether, diethyl ether) | resistant |
| Ethyl lactate | limited resistance |
| Ethyl methyl ketone | limited resistance |
| Ethylene chloride (dichloroethane) | resistant |
| Ethylene glycol (glycol, 1,2-ethanediol) | resistant |
| Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate | limited resistance |
| Ethylene oxide | limited resistance |
| F | |
| Fats, cooking oils | resistant |
| Ferric chloride (iron(III) chloride) | resistant |
| Ferrous chloride (iron(II) chloride) | resistant |
| Firewaters (ethyl alcohol, spirit) | resistant |
| Flaxseed oil (linseed oil) | resistant |
| Fluorammon (ammonium fluoride) | limited resistance |
| Fluoric acid (hydrofluoric acid), 4% | resistant |
| Fluoric acid (hydrofluoric acid), 40% | resistant |
| Fluorides | resistant |
| Formaldehyde (formalin, methanal), 10% | resistant |
| Formaldehyde (formalin, methanal), 30% | resistant |
| Formaldehyde (formalin, methanal), 40% | resistant |
| Formamide | resistant |
| Formic acid, 10% | resistant |
| Formic acid, 3% | resistant |
| Formic acid, 50% | limited resistance |
| Formic acid, 98-100% | limited resistance |
| Fructose | resistant |
| Fruit juices | resistant |
| Fruit pulp | resistant |
| Fuel oil, mineral oil-based | limited resistance |
| Fuel, regular | limited resistance |
| G | |
| Gasoline | limited resistance |
| Gasoline, unleaded | limited resistance |
| Gear oil, mineral | resistant |
| Gelatine | resistant |
| Glacial acetic acid (acetic acid), concentrated | resistant |
| Glauber's salt (sodium sulfate) | resistant |
| Glucose (grape sugar) | resistant |
| Glycerine (glycerol) | limited resistance |
| Glycol (ethylene glycol) | resistant |
| Glysantin | resistant |
| Grape sugar (glucose) | resistant |
| Gum tragacanth | resistant |
| Gypsum (calcium sulfate) | resistant |
| H | |
| HD Oil, motor oil free of aromatics | resistant |
| Heptane | resistant |
| Hexahydrobenzene (cyclohexane, hexamethylene) | limited resistance |
| Hexalin (cyclohexanol) | limited resistance |
| Hexamethylene (cyclohexane, hexahydrobenzene) | limited resistance |
| Honey | resistant |
| Hydrobromic acid | resistant |
| Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid), 1-5% | resistant |
| Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid), 20% | limited resistance |
| Hydrofluorosilicic acid (silicic acid) | resistant |
| Hydrogen | resistant |
| Hydrogen peroxide, 3% | resistant |
| Hydrogen peroxide, 30% | resistant |
| Hydrogen peroxide, 90% | resistant |
| Hydrogen sulfide | resistant |
| Hydrogen sulfide, saturated | resistant |
| I | |
| Ink | resistant |
| Iodine tincture | limited resistance |
| Iodine-potassium iodide solution | limited resistance |
| Iodoform (triiodomethane) | limited resistance |
| Iron nitrate, saturated | resistant |
| Iron(II) chloride, aqueous (ferrous chloride) | resistant |
| Iron(II) sulfate | resistant |
| Iron(II) sulfate, saturated | resistant |
| Iron(III) chloride (ferric chloride) | resistant |
| Isoamyl alcohol | limited resistance |
| Isobutanol (isobutyl alcohol) | resistant |
| Isobutyl alcohol (isobutanol) | resistant |
| Isooctane | limited resistance |
| Isopropanol (2-propanol) | resistant |
| J | |
| Jam | resistant |
| Javel water (sodium hypochlorite, bleaching solution) | resistant |
| L | |
| Lactic acid | resistant |
| Lactic acid, 3% | resistant |
| Lactic acid, 80% | resistant |
| Lactic acid, concentrated | resistant |
| Lactose | resistant |
| Lanolin (wool grease) | resistant |
| Lead tetraethyl (tetraethyl lead, TEL) | limited resistance |
| Lead(II) acetate | resistant |
| Lead(II) acetate, aqueous | resistant |
| Lemon juice | resistant |
| Linseed oil (flaxseed oil) | resistant |
| Liqueurs | resistant |
| Lysol | limited resistance |
| M | |
| Magnesium carbonate | resistant |
| Magnesium chloride, aqueous | resistant |
| Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) | resistant |
| Margarine | resistant |
| MEK (butanone, methyl ethyl ketone) | limited resistance |
| Menthol | limited resistance |
| Mercury | resistant |
| Mercury (II) chloride | resistant |
| Mercury chloride | resistant |
| Methane | resistant |
| Methane (mine gas, natural gas) | resistant |
| Methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol) | resistant |
| Methoxyethyl oleate | limited resistance |
| Methyl alcohol (methanol, wood alcohol) | resistant |
| Methyl glycol | limited resistance |
| Methylbenzene (toluene) | resistant |
| Methylene chloride (dichloromethane) | resistant |
| Milk | resistant |
| Mine gas (methane, natural gas) | resistant |
| Mineral oils | resistant |
| Mineral water | resistant |
| Monochloroacetic acid | limited resistance |
| Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene) | resistant |
| Mustard | resistant |
| N | |
| Natural gas (mine gas, methane) | resistant |
| Nickel sulfate, aqueous | resistant |
| Nickel sulfate, saturated | resistant |
| Nitric acid, 1-10% | resistant |
| Nitric acid, 10% | resistant |
| Nitric acid, 2% | resistant |
| Nitric acid, 30% | resistant |
| Nitrobenzene (oil of mirbane) | resistant |
| Nitrogen | resistant |
| O | |
| Octane | resistant |
| Oil of mirbane (nitrobenzene) | resistant |
| Oleic acid | resistant |
| Orange juice | resistant |
| Oxalic acid (ethanedioic acid) | resistant |
| Oxygen | resistant |
| Ozone | resistant |
| P | |
| P3 solution, aqueous | resistant |
| Paraffin (alkane) | resistant |
| Paraffin oil | resistant |
| Pectin | resistant |
| Pectin, aqueous | resistant |
| Pentane | resistant |
| Pentanol (pentyl alcohol, amyl alcohol) | resistant |
| Pentyl alcohol (pentanol, amyl alcohol) | resistant |
| Pepper | resistant |
| Perchloric acid, 20% | limited resistance |
| Perchloroethylene (tetrachloroethylene) | resistant |
| Petroleum | limited resistance |
| Petroleum ether | limited resistance |
| Phenol (carbolic acid), aqueous | resistant |
| Phenylcarbinol (benzyl alcohol) | limited resistance |
| Phosphoric acid, 1-5% | resistant |
| Phosphoric acid, 10% | resistant |
| Phosphoric acid, 30% | resistant |
| Phosphoric acid, 85% | resistant |
| Photographic developers | resistant |
| Potassium bichromate, 10% | resistant |
| Potassium bromate, saturated | resistant |
| Potassium bromide | resistant |
| Potassium carbonate | limited resistance |
| Potassium carbonate (potash) | limited resistance |
| Potassium chloride (sylvine) | resistant |
| Potassium dichromate, aqueous | resistant |
| Potassium dichromate, saturated | limited resistance |
| Potassium hydrogen sulfate | resistant |
| Potassium hydrogen sulfate, aqueous | resistant |
| Potassium hydroxide (caustic potash, potash lye), 1% | limited resistance |
| Potassium nitrate (saltpeter), 50% | resistant |
| Potassium nitrate (saltpeter), aqueous | resistant |
| Potassium perchlorate, aqueous | resistant |
| Potassium perchlorate, saturated | resistant |
| Potassium permanganate | resistant |
| Potassium permanganate, 1% | resistant |
| Potassium permanganate, aqueous | resistant |
| Potassium persulfate | resistant |
| Propane, gaseous | limited resistance |
| Propane, liquid | resistant |
| Propanecarboxylic acid (butyric acid, butanoic acid) | limited resistance |
| Propanediol (propylene glycol) | resistant |
| Propanol (propyl alcohol) | limited resistance |
| Propanone (acetone, dimethyl ketone) | resistant |
| Propargyl alcohol | resistant |
| Propyl alcohol (propanol) | limited resistance |
| Propylene glycol (propanediol) | resistant |
| Propylene oxide | resistant |
| Pyridine | resistant |
| R | |
| Resorcinol (1,3-dihydroxybenzene) | resistant |
| Resorcinol, 5% | resistant |
| S | |
| Sal ammoniac (ammonium chloride) | limited resistance |
| Salicylaldehyde | limited resistance |
| Salicylic acid (o-Hydroxybenzoic acid) | resistant |
| Salicylic acid, powder | resistant |
| Salicylic acid, saturated | resistant |
| Salt water (sea water) | resistant |
| Sea water (salt water) | resistant |
| Silicic acid (hydrofluorosilicic acid) | resistant |
| Silicone grease | resistant |
| Silicone oil | resistant |
| Silver acetate | resistant |
| Silver nitrate (lunar caustic) | resistant |
| Silver nitrate (lunar caustic), aqueous | resistant |
| Soap water (soap hydrous solution) | resistant |
| Soda (sodium carbonate) | resistant |
| Soda (sodium carbonate), aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium acetate | resistant |
| Sodium bicarbonate, aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium bisulfate | resistant |
| Sodium bisulfite, aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium borate, saturated | resistant |
| Sodium carbonate (soda) | resistant |
| Sodium carbonate (soda), aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium chlorate | resistant |
| Sodium chlorate, aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium chloride (common salt) | resistant |
| Sodium dichromate | resistant |
| Sodium fluoride | resistant |
| Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda, soda lye), 1% | limited resistance |
| Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda, soda lye), 50% | resistant |
| Sodium hypochlorite (bleaching solution, Javel water) | resistant |
| Sodium hypochlorite (bleaching solution, Javel water), 12.5% | resistant |
| Sodium hypochlorite (bleaching solution, Javel water), 15% | resistant |
| Sodium hypochlorite (bleaching solution, Javel water), saturated | resistant |
| Sodium nitrate (Chile saltpeter), aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium nitrate (Chile saltpeter), saturated | resistant |
| Sodium silicate | resistant |
| Sodium sulfate (Glauber's salt) | resistant |
| Sodium sulfate (Glauber's salt), aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium sulfate (Glauber's salt), saturated | resistant |
| Sodium sulfide, aqueous | limited resistance |
| Sodium sulfide, saturated | limited resistance |
| Spermaceti | resistant |
| Spirit (ethyl alcohol, ethanol) | resistant |
| Spruce oil (spruce needle oil) | resistant |
| Starch | resistant |
| Starch sirup | resistant |
| Stearic acid (zinc salt) | resistant |
| Styrene (styrol) | resistant |
| Styrene (vinyl benzene, phenylethene) | resistant |
| Sugar beet juice | resistant |
| Sugar sirup | resistant |
| Sulfur | resistant |
| Sulfur dioxide, liquid | limited resistance |
| Sulfuric acid, 1-6% | resistant |
| Sulfuric acid, 20% | resistant |
| Sulfuric acid, 40% | resistant |
| Sulfuric acid, 60% | limited resistance |
| Sulfuric acid, 80% | limited resistance |
| Sulfuric acid, 95% | limited resistance |
| Sulfuryl chloride | resistant |
| T | |
| Tannic acid (tannin) | limited resistance |
| Tannin (tannic acid) | limited resistance |
| Tartaric acid (dihydroxysuccinic acid) | resistant |
| Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) | resistant |
| Tetrachloromethane (carbon tetrachloride) | resistant |
| Tetraethyl lead (lead tetraethyl, TEL) | limited resistance |
| Tetrahydrofuran (diethylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide) | resistant |
| Tetrahydronaphthalene (tetralin) | resistant |
| Tetralin (tetrahydronaphthalene) | resistant |
| Tetramethylene oxide (tetrahydrofuran) | resistant |
| Toluene (methylbenzene) | resistant |
| Transformer oil | resistant |
| Trichloroacetic acid | limited resistance |
| Trichloroethylene | resistant |
| Trichloromethane (chloroform) | resistant |
| Triethylene glycol | resistant |
| Trifluorotrichloroethane | limited resistance |
| Triglycol | resistant |
| Tripropylene glycol (TPG) | resistant |
| U | |
| Undecyl alcohol | resistant |
| Urea | resistant |
| Urea, aqueous | resistant |
| Uric acid | resistant |
| Urine | resistant |
| V | |
| Vaseline | resistant |
| Vaseline oil | resistant |
| Vinegar | resistant |
| W | |
| Washing agents | resistant |
| Water glass (potassium silicate) | resistant |
| Water glass (sodium silicate) | resistant |
| Water, distilled | resistant |
| Wax molten | resistant |
| Waxes | resistant |
| Whisky | resistant |
| Wine, brandy | resistant |
| Wood alcohol (methanol, methyl alcohol) | resistant |
| Wool grease (lanolin) | resistant |
| X | |
| Xylene (dimethylbenzene) | resistant |
| Z | |
| Zinc carbonate | resistant |
| Zinc chloride | resistant |
| Zinc chloride, 10% | resistant |
| Zinc oxide | resistant |
| Zinc phosphate | resistant |
| Zinc salt (stearic acid) | resistant |
| Zinc stearate | resistant |
| Zinc sulfate | resistant |
| Zinc sulfate, 10% | resistant |
