When selecting components for microfluidic applications, ensuring chemical resistance is crucial for maintaining system integrity and performance. Aluminum is a good choice due to its good chemical resistance, as well as its strength and durability.
Understanding chemical resistance is crucial for preventing material degradation and ensuring safety. In this guide, we present a comprehensive table of chemical resistance for aluminum. Based on the chemical resistance data (at 20°C) provided by Reichelt Chemietechnik, this table is designed to help engineers, technicians, and researchers quickly determine whether aluminum 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 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.
Aluminum Chemical Resistance Table
| Chemical Substance | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| A | |
| 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 acid, 90% | resistant |
| Acetic ester (ethyl acetate, acetic acid ethyl ester) | resistant |
| Acetone (dimethyl ketone, propanone) | resistant |
| Acetophenone | resistant |
| Acetylsalicylic acid | resistant |
| Acrylonitrile | resistant |
| Adipic acid, aqueous | resistant |
| Allyl alcohol (2-propen-1-ol) | resistant |
| Allyl chloride (3-chloro-1-propene) | resistant |
| Aluminum acetate, aqueous | resistant |
| Aluminum ammonium sulfate | resistant |
| Aluminum fluoride | resistant |
| Aluminum hydroxide | resistant |
| Aluminum oxide | resistant |
| Aluminum potassium sulfate, diluted | resistant |
| Aluminum potassium sulfate, saturated | resistant |
| Aluminum sulfate | resistant |
| Aluminum sulfate, saturated | resistant |
| Aminobenzene (aniline) | resistant |
| Ammonium acetate | resistant |
| Ammonium carbonate, 50% | resistant |
| Ammonium carbonate, aqueous | resistant |
| Ammonium chloride, aqueous | limited resistance |
| Ammonium chloride, solid | limited resistance |
| Ammonium hydrogen carbonate | resistant |
| Ammonium hydroxide | resistant |
| Ammonium hydroxide, 30% | resistant |
| Ammonium hydroxide, 5% | resistant |
| Ammonium nitrate, 10% | resistant |
| Ammonium oxalate | resistant |
| Ammonium sulfate, 10% | resistant |
| Ammonium sulfate, saturated | resistant |
| Ammonium sulfide | resistant |
| Ammonium sulfide, aqueous | resistant |
| Amyl acetate (pentyl acetate) | resistant |
| Amyl alcohol (pentanol, pentyl alcohol) | resistant |
| Amyl chloride (pentyl chloride, 1-chloropentane) | limited resistance |
| Aniline (aminobenzene) | resistant |
| Anisole (methoxybenzene, methyl phenyl ether) | resistant |
| Anone (cyclohexanone) | resistant |
| Antichlor (sodium thiosulfate, fixing salt) | resistant |
| Antimony trichloride, anhydrous | resistant |
| Ascorbic acid | resistant |
| B | |
| Barium carbonate | resistant |
| Barium chloride, aqueous | resistant |
| Barium chloride, saturated | resistant |
| Battery acid | limited resistance |
| Beer | resistant |
| Beeswax | resistant |
| Benzaldehyde (benzoic aldehyde) | resistant |
| Benzene | resistant |
| Benzenesulfonic acid | limited resistance |
| Benzoic acid, aqueous | resistant |
| Benzoic acid, saturated | resistant |
| Benzoic aldehyde (benzaldehyde) | resistant |
| Benzoyl chloride | resistant |
| Benzyl acetate | resistant |
| Benzyl alcohol (phenylcarbinol) | resistant |
| Bitumen | resistant |
| Boric acid, 10% | resistant |
| Boric acid, aqueous | resistant |
| Brine | limited resistance |
| Bromobenzene (monobromobenzene) | resistant |
| Butadiene | resistant |
| Butane | resistant |
| Butanoic acid (butyric acid, propanecarboxylic acid) | resistant |
| Butanol (butyl alcohol) | resistant |
| Butanol (butyl alcohol), secondary | resistant |
| Butanol (butyl alcohol), tertiary | resistant |
| Butene | resistant |
| Butyl acetate (acetic acid butyl ester) | resistant |
| Butyl acrylate | resistant |
| Butyl alcohol (butanol) | resistant |
| Butyl alcohol (butanol), secondary | resistant |
| Butyl alcohol (butanol), tertiary | resistant |
| Butyl ether (dibutyl ether) | resistant |
| Butyl glycol | resistant |
| Butylene glycol (2-butoxyethanol, butyl cellosolve) | resistant |
| Butylphenol | resistant |
| Butylphenol, p-tertiary | resistant |
| Butyric acid (butanoic acid, propanecarboxylic acid) | resistant |
| C | |
| Calcium carbonate (chalk) | resistant |
| Calcium chlorate | resistant |
| Calcium chloride, aqueous | limited resistance |
| Calcium hydroxide (milk of lime) | limited resistance |
| Calcium hydroxide (milk of lime), aqueous | limited resistance |
| Calcium hydroxide (milk of lime), concentrated | limited resistance |
| Calcium nitrate, 50% | resistant |
| Calcium nitrate, aqueous | resistant |
| Calcium sulfate (gypsum) | resistant |
| Calcium sulfide | resistant |
| Calcium sulfide, aqueous | resistant |
| Carbon dioxide | limited resistance |
| Carbon dioxide, wet | limited resistance |
| Carbon disulfide | resistant |
| Carbon monoxide, dry | limited resistance |
| Carbon tetrachloride (tetrachloromethane) | resistant |
| Carbon tetrachloride (tetrachloromethane, tetra) | resistant |
| Carnauba wax | resistant |
| Chalk (calcium carbonate) | resistant |
| Chloramine | limited resistance |
| Chlorine dioxide | limited resistance |
| Chlorine sulfide (sulfur chloride) | limited resistance |
| Chloroacetic acid (ethyl chloroacetate) | limited resistance |
| Chloroacetic acid ethyl ester (ethyl chloroacetate) | limited resistance |
| Chlorobenzene (monochlorobenzene) | resistant |
| Chlorosulfuric acid | limited resistance |
| Chromic acid, 10% | resistant |
| Chromic acid, 20% | resistant |
| Citric acid, 10% | resistant |
| Citric acid, 50% | resistant |
| Citric acid, saturated | resistant |
| Clophen (polychlorinated biphenyl) | resistant |
| Coal gas, without benzene | resistant |
| Cod liver oil | resistant |
| Common salt (sodium chloride) | limited resistance |
| Compressed air | resistant |
| Cresol (o-, m-, p-methylphenols) | resistant |
| Crotonaldehyde | resistant |
| Cumene (isopropylbenzene) | resistant |
| Cyclanon | limited resistance |
| Cyclohexane (hexamethylene, hexahydrobenzene) | resistant |
| Cyclohexanol (hexalin, anol) | resistant |
| Cyclohexanone (anone) | resistant |
| Cymene | resistant |
| D | |
| Decahydronaphthalene (decane) | resistant |
| Decane | resistant |
| Dextrin | resistant |
| Dibutyl ether (butyl ether) | resistant |
| Dichloroethane (ethylene chloride) | resistant |
| Diesel fuel | resistant |
| Diesel oil | resistant |
| Diethanolamine (DEA) | resistant |
| Diethylbenzene | resistant |
| Diethylene glycol | resistant |
| Diglycolic acid, 30% | limited resistance |
| Diglycolic acid, aqueous | limited resistance |
| Diisobutylene | resistant |
| Diisopropyl ether (isopropyl ether) | resistant |
| Dimethyl ether | resistant |
| Dimethyl ketone (acetone, propanone) | resistant |
| Dimethylbenzene (xylene) | resistant |
| Dinitrogen monoxide (laughing gas) | resistant |
| Dioxane | resistant |
| Disulfur dichloride (sulfur chloride) | limited resistance |
| E | |
| Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) | resistant |
| Essential oils | resistant |
| Ethanedioic acid (oxalic acid), aqueous | resistant |
| 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 |
| Ether (diethyl ether) | resistant |
| Ethyl acetate (acetic acid ethyl ester, acetic ester) | resistant |
| Ethyl alcohol (ethanol, spirit) | resistant |
| Ethyl chloroacetate (chloroacetic acid ethyl ester) | limited resistance |
| Ethyl ether (ether, diethyl ether) | resistant |
| Ethylene chloride (dichloroethane) | resistant |
| Ethylene glycol (glycol, 1,2-ethanediol) | resistant |
| Ethylene oxide | resistant |
| Ethylenediamine (1,2-diaminoethane) | resistant |
| F | |
| Fatty alcohol sulfonates | limited resistance |
| Firewaters (ethyl alcohol, spirit) | resistant |
| Fixing salt (antichlor, sodium thiosulfate) | resistant |
| Formaldehyde (formalin, methanal) | resistant |
| Formaldehyde (formalin, methanal), 10% | resistant |
| Formaldehyde (formalin, methanal), 30% | resistant |
| Formaldehyde (formalin, methanal), 40% | resistant |
| Formamide | resistant |
| Formic acid, 98-100% | resistant |
| Fructose | resistant |
| Fuel oil, black coal- and brown coal-based | resistant |
| Fuel oil, mineral oil-based | resistant |
| Fuel, premium | resistant |
| Fuel, regular | resistant |
| Furfurol (furfuryl alcohol) | resistant |
| G | |
| Gallic acid (trihydroxybenzoic acid) | resistant |
| Gas oil | resistant |
| Gasoline | resistant |
| Gasoline, unleaded | resistant |
| Gelatine | resistant |
| Genantin (ethylene glycol) | resistant |
| Glacial acetic acid (acetic acid), concentrated | resistant |
| Glauber's salt (sodium sulfate) | resistant |
| Glucose (grape sugar) | resistant |
| Glycerine (glycerol) | resistant |
| Glycol (ethylene glycol) | resistant |
| Glycolic acid (hydroxyacetic acid), 37% | resistant |
| Glysantin | resistant |
| Grape sugar (glucose) | resistant |
| Gypsum (calcium sulfate) | resistant |
| H | |
| HD Oil, motor oil free of aromatics | resistant |
| Helium gas | resistant |
| Heptane | resistant |
| Hexahydrobenzene (cyclohexane, hexamethylene) | resistant |
| Hexalin (cyclohexanol) | resistant |
| Hexamethylene (cyclohexane, hexahydrobenzene) | resistant |
| Hexane | resistant |
| Hexene | resistant |
| Hydraulic oils (mineral oil-based) | resistant |
| Hydrazine | resistant |
| Hydrazine hydrate (diamide hydrate) | resistant |
| Hydrocyanic acid (hydrogen cyanide) | resistant |
| Hydrogen | resistant |
| Hydrogen sulfide | resistant |
| I | |
| Iodine tincture | resistant |
| Isobutanol (isobutyl alcohol) | resistant |
| Isobutyl alcohol (isobutanol) | resistant |
| Isooctane | resistant |
| Isopropyl ether (diisopropyl ether) | resistant |
| Isopropylbenzene (cumene) | resistant |
| K | |
| Kerosene | resistant |
| L | |
| Lactic acid, 80% | resistant |
| Laughing gas (nitrous oxide) | resistant |
| Lead(II) nitrate | resistant |
| Lead(II) nitrate, aqueous | resistant |
| Lemon peel oil | resistant |
| Limonene, DL- | resistant |
| Lubricating oil (mineral oil-based) | resistant |
| M | |
| Machine oil | resistant |
| Magnesium carbonate | resistant |
| Magnesium chloride, aqueous | resistant |
| Magnesium hydroxide | resistant |
| Magnesium nitrate | resistant |
| Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) | resistant |
| Maleic acid (cis-butenedioic acid), aqueous | resistant |
| Maleic acid (cis-butenedioic acid), saturated | resistant |
| Methanal (formaldehyde) | resistant |
| Methane | resistant |
| Methane (mine gas, natural gas) | resistant |
| Methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol) | resistant |
| Methoxybenzene (anisole, methyl phenyl ether) | resistant |
| Methyl alcohol (methanol, wood alcohol) | resistant |
| Methyl chloroacetate | limited resistance |
| Methyl ethyl ether | resistant |
| Methyl methacrylate | resistant |
| Methyl phenyl ether (anisole, methoxybenzene) | resistant |
| Methylamine (monomethylamine) | resistant |
| Methylbenzene (toluene) | resistant |
| Methylcyclohexane | resistant |
| Methylcyclopentane | resistant |
| Mine gas (methane, natural gas) | resistant |
| Mineral oils | resistant |
| Molasses | resistant |
| Monobromobenzene | resistant |
| Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene) | resistant |
| Morpholine (diethylene oximide) | resistant |
| N | |
| Naphtha | resistant |
| Naphthalene (rock oil) | resistant |
| Natural gas (mine gas, methane) | resistant |
| Neon gas | resistant |
| Nitric acid, 1-10% | limited resistance |
| Nitric acid, 100% | resistant |
| Nitrogen | resistant |
| O | |
| Octane | resistant |
| Oils, essential | resistant |
| Oleic acid | resistant |
| Oleum (fuming sulfuric acid) | resistant |
| Olive oil | resistant |
| Oxalic acid (ethanedioic acid) | resistant |
| Oxalic acid (ethanedioic acid), aqueous | resistant |
| P | |
| Palmitic acid | resistant |
| Paraffin (alkane) | resistant |
| Paraffin wax, molten | resistant |
| Pentane | resistant |
| Pentanol (pentyl alcohol, amyl alcohol) | resistant |
| Pentyl alcohol (pentanol, amyl alcohol) | resistant |
| Pentyl chloride (amyl chloride, 1-chloropentane) | limited resistance |
| Petroleum | resistant |
| Petroleum ether | resistant |
| Phenol (carbolic acid) | resistant |
| Phenylcarbinol (benzyl alcohol) | resistant |
| Phosphorus oxychloride | resistant |
| Phosphorus pentachloride | resistant |
| Phosphorus pentoxide | resistant |
| Phosphorus trichloride | resistant |
| Photo developers | resistant |
| Photographic developers | resistant |
| Phthalic acid (benzene-o-dicarboxylic acid) | resistant |
| Picric acid, aqueous | resistant |
| Pine needle oil | resistant |
| Potassium acetate | resistant |
| Potassium bromide | resistant |
| Potassium chlorate, aqueous | resistant |
| Potassium chlorate, saturated | resistant |
| Potassium chloride (sylvine) | resistant |
| Potassium chromate, yellow, aqueous | resistant |
| Potassium chromate, yellow, saturated | resistant |
| Potassium cyanide, aqueous | limited resistance |
| Potassium cyanide, saturated | limited resistance |
| Potassium dichromate, aqueous | resistant |
| Potassium dichromate, saturated | resistant |
| Potassium ferricyanide | resistant |
| Potassium fluoride | resistant |
| Potassium hydrogen sulfate | resistant |
| Potassium hydrogen sulfate, aqueous | resistant |
| Potassium iodate | resistant |
| Potassium iodide, aqueous | resistant |
| Potassium iodide, saturated | resistant |
| Potassium nitrate (saltpeter), 50% | resistant |
| Potassium nitrate (saltpeter), aqueous | resistant |
| Potassium perchlorate, aqueous | resistant |
| Potassium perchlorate, saturated | resistant |
| Potassium permanganate, aqueous | resistant |
| Potassium sulfate | resistant |
| Potassium sulfide | limited resistance |
| Potassium sulfite | resistant |
| Propane, gaseous | resistant |
| Propane, liquid | resistant |
| Propanecarboxylic acid (butyric acid, butanoic acid) | resistant |
| Propanediol (propylene glycol) | resistant |
| Propanol (propyl alcohol) | resistant |
| Propanone (acetone, dimethyl ketone) | resistant |
| Propargyl alcohol | resistant |
| Propene | resistant |
| Propionic acid (methyl acetic acid) | resistant |
| Propionic acid (methyl acetic acid), 50% | resistant |
| Propyl alcohol (propanol) | resistant |
| Propylene glycol (propanediol) | resistant |
| Prussic acid (hydrocyanic acid) | resistant |
| Pseudocumene | resistant |
| Pyridine | resistant |
| Pyrogallol (pyrogallic acid) | resistant |
| S | |
| Salicylic acid, powder | resistant |
| Salicylic acid, saturated | resistant |
| Salt water (sea water) | limited resistance |
| Sea water (salt water) | limited resistance |
| Silicone grease | resistant |
| Silicone oil | resistant |
| Soda (sodium carbonate), aqueous | limited resistance |
| Sodium acetate | resistant |
| Sodium aluminum sulfate | resistant |
| Sodium benzoate | resistant |
| Sodium benzoate, aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium bicarbonate, aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium bisulfate | resistant |
| Sodium bisulfite, aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium borate, aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium borate, saturated | resistant |
| Sodium bromate | resistant |
| Sodium carbonate (soda), aqueous | limited resistance |
| Sodium chlorate | resistant |
| Sodium chlorate, aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium chloride (common salt) | limited resistance |
| Sodium chlorite, diluted | limited resistance |
| Sodium chromate | resistant |
| Sodium dichromate | resistant |
| Sodium fluoride | resistant |
| Sodium iodide | resistant |
| Sodium metabisulfite | resistant |
| Sodium nitrate (Chile saltpeter), aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium nitrate (Chile saltpeter), saturated | resistant |
| Sodium nitrite, aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium nitrite, saturated | resistant |
| Sodium oxalate | resistant |
| Sodium perborate, aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium perborate, saturated | resistant |
| Sodium perchlorate | resistant |
| Sodium phosphate, aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium phosphate, 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 |
| Sodium sulfite | resistant |
| Sodium thiosulfate (antichlor, fixing salt) | resistant |
| Spindle oil (mineral oil-based) | resistant |
| Spirit (ethyl alcohol, ethanol) | resistant |
| Starch | resistant |
| Starch sirup | resistant |
| Stearic acid (zinc salt) | resistant |
| Styrene (styrol) | resistant |
| Styrene (vinyl benzene, phenylethene) | resistant |
| Succinic acid, 50% | resistant |
| Succinic acid, saturated | resistant |
| Sugar sirup | resistant |
| Sulfur chloride (disulfur dichloride) | limited resistance |
| Sulfur dioxide, wet | limited resistance |
| Sulfuric acid, 40% | limited resistance |
| Sulfurous acid | limited resistance |
| Sulfuryl chloride | limited resistance |
| T | |
| Tannic acid (tannin) | resistant |
| Tannin (tannic acid) | resistant |
| Tanning extracts, vegetable | resistant |
| Tetrachloromethane (carbon tetrachloride) | resistant |
| Tetrahydrofuran (diethylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide) | resistant |
| Tetrahydronaphthalene (tetralin) | resistant |
| Tetralin (tetrahydronaphthalene) | resistant |
| Tetramethylene oxide (tetrahydrofuran) | resistant |
| Thioglycolic acid | limited resistance |
| Thionyl chloride | limited resistance |
| Toluene (methylbenzene) | resistant |
| Transformer oil (mineral oil-based) | resistant |
| Trichloroacetic acid | resistant |
| Trichloroethylene | resistant |
| Tricresyl phosphate | resistant |
| Triisopropylbenzene | resistant |
| Turbine oil, mineral | resistant |
| Turpentine | resistant |
| Two-stroke (engine) oil | resistant |
| U | |
| Urea | resistant |
| Urea, aqueous | resistant |
| V | |
| Vaseline | resistant |
| Vaseline oil | resistant |
| Vinegar | resistant |
| Vitamin C | resistant |
| W | |
| Washing agents | resistant |
| Water glass (potassium silicate) | resistant |
| Water glass (sodium silicate) | resistant |
| Water, distilled | resistant |
| Waxes | resistant |
| Whisky | resistant |
| White spirit | resistant |
| Wood alcohol (methanol, methyl alcohol) | resistant |
| Wood oil | resistant |
| X | |
| Xenon | resistant |
| Xylene (dimethylbenzene) | resistant |
| Y | |
| Yeast | resistant |
| Z | |
| Zinc chloride, 10% | limited resistance |
| Zinc chloride, aqueous | limited resistance |
| Zinc salt (stearic acid) | resistant |
| Zinc sulfate, 10% | limited resistance |
