Chemical Compatibility Chart

Which tank material is right for your chemical?

This chemical compatibility chart rates 141 chemicals against the three plastics we mold storage tanks from: HDPE (polyethylene), polypropylene and PVDF (Kynar). Open any row for PVC and CPVC fittings, gasket materials and metals. Ratings are a starting point; concentration and temperature can change the answer.

Not sure? We will check it for you.

Send the chemical, its concentration and the storage temperature. We will confirm the tank material, fittings and gaskets before you order.

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HDPE

120°F max continuous

High-density polyethylene. Handles most water-based chemicals and is the lowest-cost choice. Cost: $

Polypropylene

200°F max, chemical dependent

For hotter service and some chemicals HDPE does not handle well, such as many caustic solutions. Cost: $$

PVDF (Kynar)

Near 300°F chemical dependent

For strong acids, oxidizers and high heat. Chosen when the service calls for it. Cost: $$$$

Show chemicals rated good or better in
  • Excellent: little or no effect
  • Good: minor effect
  • Fair: moderate effect, not for continuous use
  • Poor: not recommended
  • Severe Effect: do not use
  • N/A or No data: ask us
  • Acetaldehyde: HDPE Fair, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Severe effect.
  • Acetamide: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Fair.
  • Acetate Solvent: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Good, PVDF Excellent.
  • Acetic Acid: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Good, PVDF Fair.
  • Acetic Acid 80%: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Good, PVDF Fair.
  • Acetone: HDPE Good, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Severe effect.
  • Aluminum Chloride Solution 32° Baumé: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Aluminum Chlorohydrate 50%: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF N/A.
  • Aluminum Sulfate: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Alums: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF N/A.
  • Amines: HDPE Fair, polypropylene Good, PVDF N/A.
  • Ammonia 10%: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Ammonium Chloride 25%: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Ammonium Hydroxide: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Ammonium Sulfate: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Amyl Alcohol: HDPE Good, polypropylene Good, PVDF Excellent.
  • Amyl Chloride: HDPE Good, polypropylene Severe effect, PVDF Excellent.
  • Antifreeze (Glycol Based): HDPE N/A, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF N/A.
  • Arsenic Acid: HDPE Good, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Barium Chloride: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Beer: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Benzene: HDPE Severe effect, polypropylene Severe effect, PVDF Excellent.
  • Benzene Sulfonic Acid: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Severe effect, PVDF N/A.
  • Benzyl Alcohol: HDPE Severe effect, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Bleach: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Good, PVDF Excellent.
  • Boric Acid: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Brine: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Bromine: HDPE Severe effect, polypropylene Severe effect, PVDF Excellent.
  • Butyl Alcohol: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Butyl Amine: HDPE Fair, polypropylene Good, PVDF Excellent.
  • Butyric Acid: HDPE Severe effect, polypropylene Good, PVDF Excellent.
  • Calcium Chloride (30% in Water): HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Calcium Chloride (Saturated): HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Calcium Hydroxide (50%): HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Carbolic Acid (Phenol): HDPE Severe effect, polypropylene Good, PVDF Excellent.
  • Carbonic Acid: HDPE Good, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Caustic Potash 45%: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Caustic Soda (50%): HDPE Good, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Caustic Soda (80%): HDPE Fair, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Chlorine Water: HDPE Fair, polypropylene Severe effect, PVDF Good.
  • Chlorine Water < 20%: HDPE Good, polypropylene Severe effect, PVDF Good.
  • Chlorine, Anhydrous Liquid: HDPE Fair, polypropylene Severe effect, PVDF Excellent.
  • Chromic Acid 10%: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Severe effect, PVDF Excellent.
  • Chromic Acid 30%: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Severe effect, PVDF Excellent.
  • Citric Acid: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Copper Chloride: HDPE N/A, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Crude Oil (Texas): HDPE Severe effect, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF): HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Diesel Fuel: HDPE Severe effect, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Disodium Phosphate: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Ethanol: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF N/A.
  • Ethyl Acetate: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Severe effect.
  • Ethyl Alcohol: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF N/A.
  • Ethyl Chloride: HDPE Fair, polypropylene Severe effect, PVDF Excellent.
  • Ethylene Glycol: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Ferric Acid (Ferric Chloride): HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Ferric Chloride: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Ferric Sulfate 60%: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Ferrous Chloride: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Ferrous Sulfate (20%): HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Formic Acid: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • High Fructose Corn Syrup 55%: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Hydraulic Oil (Petroleum): HDPE Fair, polypropylene Severe effect, PVDF Excellent.
  • Hydraulic Oil (Synthetic): HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Severe effect, PVDF Excellent.
  • Hydrazine: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Fair, PVDF Excellent.
  • Hydrochloric Acid 20%: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Good, PVDF Excellent.
  • Hydrochloric Acid 35%: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Fair, PVDF Excellent.
  • Hydrochloric Acid 37%: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Fair, PVDF Excellent.
  • Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) 49%: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) 70%: HDPE Good, polypropylene Fair, PVDF Excellent.
  • Hydrofluosilicic Acid (100%): HDPE Fair, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Hydrofluosilicic Acid (20%): HDPE Good, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide H2O2 (30%): HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Good, PVDF Excellent.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide H2O2 (50%): HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Good, PVDF Excellent.
  • Iodine: HDPE Good, polypropylene Fair, PVDF Excellent.
  • Isooctane: HDPE Fair, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Good.
  • Isopropyl Ether: HDPE Severe effect, polypropylene Good, PVDF Severe effect.
  • Lactic Acid: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Good, PVDF Good.
  • Lime Slurry 50% Solids: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene N/A, PVDF Excellent.
  • Liquid Ammonium Sulfate (40% by Weight): HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Magnesium Chloride (31%): HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Magnesium Hydroxide Liquid 60%: HDPE Good, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Malic Acid: HDPE Good, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Methanol: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Methyl Alcohol: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Mineral Oil: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Motor Oil: HDPE Fair, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Muriatic Acid 37%: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Fair, PVDF Excellent.
  • Nitric Acid (20%): HDPE Good, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Nitric Acid (50%): HDPE Severe effect, polypropylene Good, PVDF Excellent.
  • Nitrous Acid: HDPE N/A, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Good.
  • Olive Oil: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF N/A.
  • Oxalic Acid (Cold): HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Good.
  • Peracetic Acid (20%): HDPE Good, polypropylene N/A, PVDF Excellent.
  • Peracetic Acid (40%): HDPE Good, polypropylene N/A, PVDF Excellent.
  • Phosphoric Acid (<40%): HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Good.
  • Phosphoric Acid (>40%): HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Good.
  • Phthalic Acid: HDPE Good, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Plating Solution – Cadmium Cyanide Bath, 90°F: HDPE N/A, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Potassium Acetate 50: HDPE Good, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash): HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Potassium Hydroxide 50%: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Potassium Hypochlorite: HDPE Fair, polypropylene N/A, PVDF Excellent.
  • Propyl Acetate: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Fair, PVDF Excellent.
  • Propyl Alcohol: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Propylene Glycol: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF N/A.
  • Purate: HDPE Good, polypropylene No data, PVDF No data.
  • Salt Brine (NaCl Saturated): HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Sodium Bisulfate: HDPE Good, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Sodium Bisulfite: HDPE Good, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Sodium Bromide: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene N/A, PVDF Excellent.
  • Sodium Bromide – Nalco Actibrom 1318: HDPE Compatible, polypropylene Compatible, PVDF N/A.
  • Sodium Hydroxide (50%): HDPE Good, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Sodium Hydroxide (80%): HDPE Fair, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Sodium Hypochlorite (100%): HDPE Good, polypropylene Good, PVDF Excellent.
  • Sodium Hypochlorite (<20%): HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Sodium Nitrate: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Soybean Oil: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Sulfur Chloride: HDPE Fair, polypropylene Fair, PVDF Excellent.
  • Sulfur Dioxide: HDPE Severe effect, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Sulfuric Acid 1% to 10%: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Sulfuric Acid 10% to 75%: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Sulfuric Acid 75% to 93%: HDPE Good, polypropylene Fair, PVDF Excellent.
  • Tannic Acid: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Good.
  • Toluene: HDPE Severe effect, polypropylene Fair, PVDF Excellent.
  • Trichloroacetic Acid: HDPE Fair, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Good.
  • Triethylamine: HDPE N/A, polypropylene Severe effect, PVDF Excellent.
  • Urea: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Uric Acid: HDPE Good, polypropylene N/A, PVDF N/A.
  • Vinegar: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Good.
  • Waste Water: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Water: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Water – Hot, up to 200°F: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Water – Potable: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Water, Deionized: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Water, Reverse Osmosis: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Water, Salt: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Wines: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Xylene: HDPE Severe effect, polypropylene Good, PVDF Excellent.
  • Zinc Chloride: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.
  • Zinc Sulfate: HDPE Excellent, polypropylene Excellent, PVDF Excellent.

Get the right tank the first time

Tell us what you are storing. We build HDPE, polypropylene and PVDF tanks in Willis, Texas, and match fittings and gaskets to your chemical.

  • Chemical name and concentration
  • Minimum and maximum temperature
  • Gallons needed and delivery ZIP code

Chemical compatibility questions

Which plastic tank material is best for sulfuric acid?

In this chart, HDPE, polypropylene and PVDF are all rated excellent for sulfuric acid up to 75%. At 75% to 93%, PVDF is rated excellent, HDPE good and polypropylene fair, so PVDF is the safest choice for concentrated acid. For gaskets, Viton is rated excellent across all three strengths.

Can I store bleach (sodium hypochlorite) in an HDPE tank?

Yes. HDPE is rated excellent for bleach and for sodium hypochlorite under 20%, and PVDF is rated excellent as well. Use Viton or EPDM gaskets. Avoid Buna-N gaskets and 316 stainless steel hardware, which are rated severe effect for bleach.

What tank material should I use for 50% caustic soda (sodium hydroxide)?

Polypropylene and PVDF are rated excellent for 50% sodium hydroxide, and HDPE is rated good. Use EPDM or Buna-N gaskets; Viton is rated severe effect with caustic soda.

Which plastic is best for hydrochloric (muriatic) acid?

HDPE and PVDF are rated excellent for hydrochloric acid at 20%, 35% and 37%. Polypropylene is rated good at 20% and fair at 35% to 37%. Viton gaskets are rated excellent; 316 stainless steel is not recommended.

How hot can HDPE, polypropylene and PVDF tanks run?

HDPE has a maximum continuous use temperature of about 120°F. Polypropylene can be evaluated for service up to about 200°F, and PVDF approaches 300°F. Actual limits depend on the chemical and its concentration, so we confirm them for each application.

How should I use this chemical compatibility chart?

Use it to narrow down your options, then send us the chemical, concentration and temperature range. Ratings are based on general chemical resistance data and should be taken as a guide. Bailiff Enterprises will confirm the right tank material, fittings and gaskets before you order.

Compiled by Bailiff Enterprises, Inc., a rotational molder of HDPE, polypropylene and PVDF storage tanks in Willis, Texas, since 1981. Last updated October 2026.

Warning and legal disclaimer: This chemical compatibility information has been supplied by reputable sources to assist you. It should ONLY be taken as a guide and not as gospel. It is the ultimate responsibility of the user to verify the appropriateness of the materials with your particular application. Bear in mind that other factors including temperature, pressure, concentration and others can also have an effect on how equipment will work with your storage situation.

While Bailiff Enterprises works to supply the best information, we do not warrant (neither express or implied) that this chemical compatibility is complete or accurate.