When selecting tubing for microfluidic applications, ensuring chemical resistance is crucial for maintaining system integrity and performance. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is highly valued due to its high resistance to chemicals, durability, and versatility. 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, PVC 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 PVC tubing. 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 PVC tubing 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.
PVC Tubing: Chemical Resistance Table
| Substance/Media | Chemical Resistance |
|---|---|
| A | |
| Acetic acid (glacial acetic acid), concentrated | limited resistance |
| Acetic acid, 10% | resistant |
| Acetic acid, 5% | limited resistance |
| Acetic acid, 50% | resistant |
| Acetyl cellulose (cellulose acetate) | resistant |
| Acetylene gas | limited resistance |
| Adipic acid | resistant |
| Adipic acid, aqueous | resistant |
| Alcohol | limited resistance |
| Allyl alcohol | limited resistance |
| Alum (aluminum potassium sulfate), aqueous | resistant |
| Aluminum acetate, aqueous | resistant |
| Aluminum chloride | resistant |
| Aluminum fluoride | resistant |
| Aluminum hydroxide | resistant |
| Aluminum nitrate | resistant |
| Aluminum oxide | resistant |
| Aluminum potassium sulfate (alum), aqueous | resistant |
| Aluminum potassium sulfate, diluted | resistant |
| Aluminum potassium sulfate, saturated | resistant |
| Aluminum sulfate | resistant |
| Amino acids | resistant |
| Aminoacetic acid | resistant |
| Ammonia solution | resistant |
| Ammonia, aqueous (ammonia solution) | resistant |
| Ammonia, liquid (anhydrous) | resistant |
| Ammonium acetate | resistant |
| Ammonium carbonate (sal volatile) | resistant |
| Ammonium carbonate, 50% | resistant |
| Ammonium chloride (salmiac) | resistant |
| Ammonium chloride, aqueous | resistant |
| Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate | resistant |
| Ammonium fluoride (Fluorammon) | resistant |
| Ammonium hydroxide | resistant |
| Ammonium hydroxide, 30% | resistant |
| Ammonium hydroxide, aqueous | resistant |
| Ammonium nitrate (fertilizer) | resistant |
| Ammonium nitrate, saturated | resistant |
| Ammonium phosphate (fertilizer) | resistant |
| Ammonium sulfate (fertilizer) | resistant |
| Ammonium sulfate, saturated | resistant |
| Ammonium sulfide | resistant |
| Amyl alcohol (pentanol, pentyl alcohol) | limited resistance |
| Animal fats | limited resistance |
| Antichlor (sodium thiosulfate, fixing salt) | resistant |
| Antimony trichloride | resistant |
| Aqua regia | limited resistance |
| Argon gas | resistant |
| Arsenic acid | limited resistance |
| Arsenic acid, aqueous | limited resistance |
| B | |
| Barium carbonate | resistant |
| Barium chloride | resistant |
| Barium chloride, saturated | resistant |
| Barium hydroxide | resistant |
| Barium hydroxide, saturated | resistant |
| Barium sulfate (barite, heavy spar) | resistant |
| Barium sulfide | resistant |
| Basic aluminium acetate | resistant |
| Battery acid | limited resistance |
| Beer | resistant |
| Benzoic acid (sodium salt) | resistant |
| Benzoic acid, saturated | resistant |
| Benzyl alcohol (phenylcarbinol) | limited resistance |
| Benzyl carbinol (phenethyl alcohol) | limited resistance |
| Bitumen | limited resistance |
| Blue vitriol (copper sulfate) | resistant |
| Borax (sodium tetraborate) | resistant |
| Boric acid | resistant |
| Boric acid, 10% | resistant |
| Brake fluid, ATE blue (glycol based) | limited resistance |
| Butane | limited resistance |
| Butane, liquid | limited resistance |
| Butanoic acid (butyric acid, propanecarboxylic acid) | limited resistance |
| Butanol-1 (butyl alcohol) | limited resistance |
| Butter | limited resistance |
| Butyl glycol ether | resistant |
| Butyric acid (butanoic acid, propanecarboxylic acid) | limited resistance |
| C | |
| Calcium bicarbonate | resistant |
| Calcium carbonate (chalk) | resistant |
| Calcium chloride | limited resistance |
| Calcium chloride, aqueous | resistant |
| Calcium hydroxide (milk of lime) | resistant |
| Calcium hydroxide (milk of lime), aqueous | resistant |
| Calcium hydroxide (milk of lime), concentrated | resistant |
| Calcium hypochlorite | limited resistance |
| Calcium hypochlorite, aqueous | limited resistance |
| Calcium hypochlorite, saturated | limited resistance |
| Calcium nitrate, 50% | resistant |
| Calcium nitrate, aqueous | resistant |
| Calcium oxide | resistant |
| Calcium phosphate | resistant |
| Calcium phosphate, aqueous | resistant |
| Calcium sulfate (gypsum) | resistant |
| Caliche solution (Chile saltpeter) | resistant |
| Carbon dioxide | resistant |
| Carbonic acid | resistant |
| Castor oil | limited resistance |
| Caustic potash (potassium hydroxide, potash lye) | limited resistance |
| Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) | limited resistance |
| Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide, soda lye) | limited resistance |
| Cellosolve (ethyl glycol) | limited resistance |
| Cellulose acetate (acetyl cellulose) | resistant |
| Cetyl alcohol (1-hexadecanol) | limited resistance |
| Chalk (calcium carbonate) | resistant |
| Chloramine | resistant |
| Chloric acid, 1% | resistant |
| Chlorine gas, wet | limited resistance |
| Chlorine water | limited resistance |
| Chloroacetic acid (ethyl chloroacetate) | limited resistance |
| Chloroacetic acid ethyl ester (ethyl chloroacetate) | limited resistance |
| Chromic acid, 10% | resistant |
| Chromic acid, 20% | resistant |
| Chromic acid, 50% | resistant |
| Chromium anhydride (chromium trioxide) | limited resistance |
| Chromium trioxide (chromium anhydride) | limited resistance |
| Chromosulfuric acid | resistant |
| Citric acid | resistant |
| Citric acid, 10% | resistant |
| Citric acid, aqueous | resistant |
| Citric acid, saturated | resistant |
| Citrus juices | resistant |
| Coal gas | resistant |
| Coal gas, without benzene | resistant |
| Common salt (sodium chloride) | resistant |
| Cooking fats, cooking oils | limited resistance |
| Copper chloride, aqueous | resistant |
| Copper cyanide | resistant |
| Copper nitrate, aqueous | resistant |
| Copper sulfate (blue vitriol) | resistant |
| Copper(II) chloride | resistant |
| Copper(II) nitrate, saturated | resistant |
| Corn oil | resistant |
| Cottonseed oil | resistant |
| Crude oil | limited resistance |
| Cyclohexane (hexamethylene, hexahydrobenzene) | limited resistance |
| D | |
| Decahydronaphthalene (decane) | limited resistance |
| Decane | limited resistance |
| Decanol | resistant |
| Dextrin | resistant |
| Dextrin, aqueous | resistant |
| Dextrorotatory d-tartaric acid | resistant |
| Dichloroacetic acid | limited resistance |
| Diesel oil | limited resistance |
| Dihydroxysuccinic acid (tartaric acid) | resistant |
| Dimethylbenzene (xylene) | limited resistance |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | limited resistance |
| Dinitrogen monoxide (laughing gas) | resistant |
| Diphenyl ether (diphenyl oxide) | limited resistance |
| Diphenyl oxide (diphenyl ether) | limited resistance |
| E | |
| Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) | resistant |
| Ethanedioic acid (oxalic acid), aqueous | resistant |
| Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, spirit), 100% | limited resistance |
| Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, spirit), 40% | limited resistance |
| Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, spirit), 50% | limited resistance |
| Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, spirit), 96% | limited resistance |
| Ethanol, 50% | limited resistance |
| Ethanol, 96% | limited resistance |
| Ethyl alcohol (ethanol, spirit) | limited resistance |
| Ethyl chloroacetate (chloroacetic acid ethyl ester) | limited resistance |
| Ethyl glycol (cellosolve) | limited resistance |
| Ethylene glycol (glycol, 1,2-ethanediol) | limited resistance |
| Ethylene oxide | limited resistance |
| F | |
| Fats, cooking oils | limited resistance |
| Fats, mineral | limited resistance |
| Fats, vegetable and animal | limited resistance |
| Fatty acids | limited resistance |
| Ferric chloride (iron(III) chloride) | resistant |
| Ferrous chloride (iron(II) chloride) | resistant |
| Firewaters (ethyl alcohol, spirit) | limited resistance |
| Fixing baths | resistant |
| Fixing salt (antichlor, sodium thiosulfate) | resistant |
| Flaxseed oil (linseed oil) | resistant |
| Fluorammon (ammonium fluoride) | resistant |
| Fluoric acid (hydrofluoric acid), | limited resistance |
| Fluoric acid (hydrofluoric acid), 40% | limited resistance |
| Fluoric acid (hydrofluoric acid), 50% | resistant |
| Fluoric acid (hydrofluoric acid), 70% | limited resistance |
| Formaldehyde (formalin, methanal) | limited resistance |
| Formaldehyde (formalin, methanal), 10% | limited resistance |
| Formaldehyde (formalin, methanal), 40% | limited resistance |
| Formic acid | limited resistance |
| Formic acid, 98-100% | resistant |
| Freon (Frigen) 113 | limited resistance |
| Fruit juices | resistant |
| Fuel oil, black coal- and brown coal-based | limited resistance |
| Fuel oil, mineral oil-based | limited resistance |
| G | |
| Gasoline | limited resistance |
| Gasoline, premium | resistant |
| Gasoline, unleaded | limited resistance |
| Gear oil, mineral | limited resistance |
| Gelatine | resistant |
| Gelatine, aqueous | resistant |
| Glacial acetic acid (acetic acid), concentrated | limited resistance |
| Glauber's salt (sodium sulfate) | resistant |
| Glucose (grape sugar) | resistant |
| Glycerine (glycerol) | limited resistance |
| Glycol (ethylene glycol) | limited resistance |
| Grape sugar (glucose) | resistant |
| Gypsum (calcium sulfate) | resistant |
| H | |
| Helium gas | resistant |
| Hexahydrobenzene (cyclohexane, hexamethylene) | limited resistance |
| Hexamethylene (cyclohexane, hexahydrobenzene) | limited resistance |
| Hexane | limited resistance |
| Hexanetriol | limited resistance |
| Hexanol (hexyl alcohol) | limited resistance |
| Hexanol-1 | limited resistance |
| Hexyl alcohol (hexanol) | limited resistance |
| Hydrobromic acid, 40% | limited resistance |
| Hydrobromic acid, 50% | limited resistance |
| Hydrobromic acid, aqueous | limited resistance |
| Hydrobromic acid, diluted | limited resistance |
| Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid), 10% | resistant |
| Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid), 20% | limited resistance |
| Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid), 35% | limited resistance |
| Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid), 37% | limited resistance |
| Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid), concentrated | limited resistance |
| Hydrochloric acid (spirits of salt) | limited resistance |
| Hydrocyanic acid (hydrogen cyanide) | resistant |
| Hydrofluorosilicic acid (silicic acid) | resistant |
| Hydrogen | resistant |
| Hydrogen peroxide, 30% | resistant |
| Hydrogen peroxide, diluted | resistant |
| Hydrogen sulfide | limited resistance |
| Hydrogen, gaseous | resistant |
| I | |
| Ink | resistant |
| Iodoform (triiodomethane) | resistant |
| Iron nitrate, aqueous | resistant |
| Iron nitrate, saturated | resistant |
| Iron sulfate (iron vitriol), aqueous | resistant |
| Iron(II) chloride, aqueous (ferrous chloride) | resistant |
| Iron(II) sulfate, saturated | resistant |
| Iron(III) chloride (ferric chloride) | resistant |
| Isobutanol (isobutyl alcohol) | resistant |
| Isobutyl alcohol (isobutanol) | resistant |
| Isopropanol (2-propanol) | resistant |
| J | |
| Javel water (sodium hypochlorite, bleaching solution) | resistant |
| K | |
| Kerosene | limited resistance |
| L | |
| Lactic acid | limited resistance |
| Lactic acid, 80% | resistant |
| Lactic acid, aqueous | limited resistance |
| Lactic acid, concentrated | limited resistance |
| Lactose | resistant |
| Lanolin (wool grease) | limited resistance |
| Laughing gas (nitrous oxide) | resistant |
| Lauric acid (dodecanoic acid) | limited resistance |
| Lead acetate (lead sugar) | resistant |
| Lead sugar (lead acetate) | resistant |
| Lead tetraethyl (tetraethyl lead, TEL) | resistant |
| Lead(II) acetate, aqueous | resistant |
| Linseed oil (flaxseed oil) | resistant |
| Liqueurs | limited resistance |
| Liquid manure | resistant |
| Lubricating oil (mineral oil-based) | limited resistance |
| Lyes, diluted | resistant |
| M | |
| 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 |
| Margarine | limited resistance |
| Mercury | limited resistance |
| Mercury (II) chloride | resistant |
| Mercury chloride, aqueous | resistant |
| Mercury nitrate | resistant |
| Methanal (formaldehyde) | limited resistance |
| Methane (mine gas, natural gas) | resistant |
| Methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol) | limited resistance |
| Methyl alcohol (methanol, wood alcohol) | limited resistance |
| Milk | resistant |
| Milk of lime (calcium hydroxide) | resistant |
| Mine gas (methane, natural gas) | resistant |
| Mineral oils | limited resistance |
| Molasses | resistant |
| Monochloroacetic acid | resistant |
| N | |
| Naphtha | limited resistance |
| Natural gas (mine gas, methane) | resistant |
| Neon gas | resistant |
| Nickel chloride | resistant |
| Nickel nitrate | resistant |
| Nickel sulfate | resistant |
| Nickel sulfate, saturated | resistant |
| Nickel(II) chloride | resistant |
| Nitric acid, 10% | limited resistance |
| Nitric acid, 30% | limited resistance |
| Nitrogen | resistant |
| Nitrous acid | limited resistance |
| O | |
| Octane | limited resistance |
| Oils and fats, vegetable | limited resistance |
| Oleic acid | limited resistance |
| Oxalic acid (ethanedioic acid) | resistant |
| Oxalic acid (ethanedioic acid), aqueous | resistant |
| Oxygen | resistant |
| Ozone | resistant |
| Ozone air mixture | limited resistance |
| P | |
| Palmitic acid | limited resistance |
| Paraffin (alkane) | resistant |
| Peanut oil | limited resistance |
| Pectin | resistant |
| Pectin, aqueous | resistant |
| Pentanol (pentyl alcohol, amyl alcohol) | limited resistance |
| Pentyl alcohol (pentanol, amyl alcohol) | limited resistance |
| Perchloric acid | limited resistance |
| Perchloric acid (hyperchloric acid) | limited resistance |
| Perchloric acid, 20% | limited resistance |
| Perfume | limited resistance |
| Petroleum | limited resistance |
| Petroleum ether | limited resistance |
| Phenol (carbolic acid) | limited resistance |
| Phenylcarbinol (benzyl alcohol) | limited resistance |
| Phenylethyl alcohol (benzyl carbinol) | limited resistance |
| Phosphoric acid, 20% | resistant |
| Phosphoric acid, 85% | resistant |
| Phosphorus pentoxide | resistant |
| Photo developers | resistant |
| Photographic developers | resistant |
| Potassium acetate | resistant |
| Potassium bichromate | resistant |
| Potassium bromide | resistant |
| Potassium carbonate | resistant |
| Potassium carbonate (potash) | resistant |
| Potassium chlorate | resistant |
| Potassium chloride (sylvine) | resistant |
| Potassium chromate, yellow | resistant |
| Potassium chromate, yellow, saturated | resistant |
| Potassium cyanide | resistant |
| Potassium cyanide, aqueous | resistant |
| Potassium dichromate | resistant |
| Potassium dichromate, saturated | resistant |
| Potassium ferricyanide | resistant |
| Potassium ferrocyanide | resistant |
| Potassium hydrogen tartrate | resistant |
| Potassium hydroxide (caustic potash, potash lye) | limited resistance |
| Potassium hydroxide (caustic potash, potash lye), 30% | resistant |
| Potassium hydroxide (caustic potash, potash lye), 50% | resistant |
| Potassium hypochlorite | resistant |
| Potassium iodide | resistant |
| Potassium iodide, saturated | resistant |
| Potassium nitrate (saltpeter) | resistant |
| Potassium nitrate (saltpeter), 50% | resistant |
| Potassium perchlorate | limited resistance |
| Potassium perchlorate, saturated | limited resistance |
| Potassium permanganate | resistant |
| Potassium permanganate, aqueous | limited resistance |
| Potassium persulfate | resistant |
| Potassium sulfate | resistant |
| Potassium sulfide | resistant |
| Propane, liquid | limited resistance |
| Propanecarboxylic acid (butyric acid, butanoic acid) | limited resistance |
| Propanol (propyl alcohol) | limited resistance |
| Propargyl alcohol | resistant |
| Propionic acid (methyl acetic acid) | limited resistance |
| Propionic acid (methyl acetic acid), 50% | limited resistance |
| Propyl alcohol (propanol) | limited resistance |
| Prussic acid (hydrocyanic acid) | resistant |
| Pyridine | limited resistance |
| S | |
| Sal ammoniac (ammonium chloride) | resistant |
| Sal volatile (ammonium carbonate) | resistant |
| Salicylic acid (o-Hydroxybenzoic acid) | limited resistance |
| Salt water (sea water) | resistant |
| Saltpeter (potassium nitrate) | resistant |
| Sea water (salt water) | resistant |
| Silicic acid (hydrofluorosilicic acid) | resistant |
| Silver acetate | limited resistance |
| Silver nitrate (lunar caustic) | limited resistance |
| Soap water (soap hydrous solution) | resistant |
| Soda (sodium carbonate) | resistant |
| Soda (sodium carbonate), aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium acetate | limited resistance |
| Sodium bicarbonate, aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium bisulfite, aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium borate, aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium borate, saturated | resistant |
| Sodium carbonate (soda) | resistant |
| Sodium carbonate (soda), aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium chlorate, aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium chloride (common salt) | resistant |
| Sodium dichromate | resistant |
| Sodium fluoride | resistant |
| Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda, soda lye) | limited resistance |
| Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda, soda lye), 30% | resistant |
| Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda, soda lye), 45% | 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), diluted | resistant |
| Sodium hypochlorite (bleaching solution, Javel water), saturated | resistant |
| Sodium nitrate (Chile saltpeter) | resistant |
| Sodium nitrate (Chile saltpeter), saturated | resistant |
| Sodium nitrite | resistant |
| Sodium nitrite, saturated | resistant |
| Sodium perborate, saturated | limited resistance |
| Sodium phosphate | resistant |
| Sodium phosphate, saturated | resistant |
| Sodium silicate | resistant |
| Sodium silicate, aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium sulfate (Glauber's salt) | resistant |
| Sodium sulfate (Glauber's salt), aqueous | resistant |
| Sodium sulfate (Glauber's salt), saturated | resistant |
| Sodium sulfide | resistant |
| Sodium sulfide, saturated | resistant |
| Sodium sulfite | resistant |
| Sodium tetraborate (borax) | resistant |
| Sodium thiosulfate (antichlor, fixing salt) | resistant |
| Spirit (ethyl alcohol, ethanol) | limited resistance |
| Starch, aqueous | resistant |
| Stearic acid (zinc salt) | resistant |
| Stearic acid butyl ester | resistant |
| Succinic acid | resistant |
| Succinic acid, saturated | resistant |
| Suds | resistant |
| Sugar beet juice | resistant |
| Sulfur | limited resistance |
| Sulfur dioxide | limited resistance |
| Sulfuric acid monohydrate, 97.9-99% | limited resistance |
| Sulfuric acid, 10% | limited resistance |
| Sulfuric acid, 40% | resistant |
| Sulfuric acid, 60% | limited resistance |
| Sulfuric acid, 80% | resistant |
| Sulfuric acid, 95% | limited resistance |
| Sulfurous acid | limited resistance |
| T | |
| Tallow | resistant |
| Tannic acid (tannin) | resistant |
| Tannin (tannic acid) | resistant |
| Tar | limited resistance |
| Tartaric acid (dihydroxysuccinic acid) | resistant |
| Tetraethyl lead (lead tetraethyl, TEL) | resistant |
| Tin chloride, aqueous | resistant |
| Transformer oil (mineral oil-based) | limited resistance |
| Trichloroacetic acid | limited resistance |
| Triethanolamine (triethylolamide) | limited resistance |
| Triethylamine (TEA) | limited resistance |
| Triethylene glycol | limited resistance |
| Tripropylene glycol (TPG) | limited resistance |
| Turbine oil, mineral | limited resistance |
| Turpentine | resistant |
| U | |
| Urea | limited resistance |
| Urea, aqueous | resistant |
| Uric acid | resistant |
| Urine | resistant |
| V | |
| Vaseline oil | limited resistance |
| Vinegar | limited resistance |
| Viscose spinning solution | resistant |
| W | |
| Waste gases, containing carbon monoxide | resistant |
| Water glass (potassium silicate) | resistant |
| Water glass (sodium silicate) | resistant |
| Water, distilled | resistant |
| Water, with carbon dioxide | resistant |
| Water/Spring water, cold | resistant |
| Wax alcohols | limited resistance |
| Whisky | limited resistance |
| Wine, brandy | resistant |
| Wood alcohol (methanol, methyl alcohol) | limited resistance |
| Wool grease (lanolin) | limited resistance |
| X | |
| Xylene (dimethylbenzene) | limited resistance |
| Y | |
| Yeast | resistant |
| Z | |
| Zinc carbonate | resistant |
| Zinc chloride | resistant |
| Zinc chloride, 10% | resistant |
| Zinc chloride, aqueous | resistant |
| Zinc nitrate | resistant |
| Zinc oxide | resistant |
| Zinc phosphate | resistant |
| Zinc salt (stearic acid) | resistant |
| Zinc stearate | resistant |
| Zinc sulfate | resistant |
| Zinc sulfate, 10% | resistant |
| Zinc sulfate, aqueous | resistant |
