The chemical resistance of polypropylene to a large number of substances has been summarised in the table below.
Interpretation:
| 1. | Excellent (no attack) | |
| 2. | Good (no significant attack) | |
| 3. | Acceptable (light attack, limited use) | |
| 4. | Unacceptable (significant attack) | |
| 5. | Inferior (possible cracking or dissolving) |
Polypropylene | Substance | 20°C | 60°C |
Acids: | |||
|
| Benzoic acid | 1 | 2 |
|
| Boric acid | 1 | 1 |
|
| Hydrobromic acid 25 % | 2 | 3 |
|
| Citric acid | 1 | 1 |
|
| Hydrocyanic acid | 2 | 2 |
|
| Hydrofluoric acid | 2 | 2 |
|
| Phosphoric acid 25 % | 1 | 1 |
|
| Phosphoric acid 85 % | 1 | 1 |
|
| Phthalic acid | 1 | 1 |
|
| Tannic acid | 1 | 1 |
|
| Chromic acid | 1 | 2 |
|
| Maleic acid | 1 | 1 |
|
| Oleic acid | 2 | 3 |
|
| Oxalic acid | 1 | 1 |
|
| Nitric acid 5 % | 2 | 3 |
|
| Nitric acid 65 % | 4 | 4 |
|
| Chlorhydric acid 10 % | 1 | 1 |
|
| Chlorhydric acid 37 % | 2 | 3 |
|
| Butyric acid | 1 | 1 |
|
| Sulphuric acid 10 % | 1 | 1 |
|
| Sulphuric acid 78 % | 2 | 4 |
|
| Sulphuric acid 93 % | 3 | 4 |
|
| Tartaric acid | 1 | 1 |
|
| Acetic acid 10 % | 1 | 1 |
|
| Acetic acid 50 % | 1 | 1 |
|
| Acetic acid 75 % | 1 | 1 |
|
| Acetic acid 100 % | 2 | 3 |
|
| Perchloric acid | 1 | 2 |
Basics | |||
|
| Aqua ammonia | 1 | 1 |
|
| Calciumhydroxide | 1 | 1 |
|
| Potassiumhydroxide | 1 | 1 |
|
| Caustic soda | 1 | 1 |
Acid salt * | 1 | 1 | |
Basic salt ** | 1 | 1 | |
Neutral salt*** | 1 | 1 | |
|
| |||
Various salt | |||
|
| Potassium bicarbonate | 1 | 2 |
|
| Potassium permanganate | 1 | 2 |
|
| Sodium cyanide | 1 | 1 |
|
| Natriumferricyanid | 1 | 2 |
|
| Sodium hypochlorite | 2 | 3 |
|
| |||
Organic substances and solvents | |||
|
| Acetone | 3 | 4 |
|
| Aniline | 1 | 1 |
|
| Benzol | 3 | 4 |
|
| Petrol | 4 | 4 |
|
| Butyl alcohol | 1 | 1 |
|
| Ethyl acetate | 2 | 4 |
|
| Ethyl alcohol | 1 | 1 |
|
| Ethyl dichloride | 3 | 4 |
|
| Ethyl ether | 4 | 4 |
|
| Phenol | 2 | 2 |
|
| Formalin 37% | 1 | 2 |
|
| Heptane | 3 | 4 |
|
| Chlorobenzene | 3 | 4 |
|
| Chloroform | 4 | 4 |
|
| Carbon disulphide | 4 | 4 |
|
| Carbon tetrachloride | 4 | 4 |
|
| Methyl alcohol | 1 | 1 |
|
| Methylene (di)chloride | 4 | 4 |
|
| Methyl ethyle ketone | 3 | 4 |
|
| Nitrobenzene | 3 | 4 |
|
| Toluole | 3 | 4 |
|
| Trichlorethylene | 4 | 4 |
Gases | |||
|
| Chlorine (damp) | 2 | 4 |
|
| Chlorine (dry) | 2 | 4 |
|
| Carbon dioxide | 1 | 1 |
|
| Carbon monoxide | 1 | 1 |
|
| Sulphur dioxide (damp) | 2 | 3 |
|
| Sulphur dioxide (dry) | 2 | 3 |
|
| Hydrogen sulphide | 1 | 1 |
| * | Acid salt (normally aqueous) aluminium chloride, aluminium phosphate, copper chloride, sulphate of copper, ferrous sulphate, ferric chloride, stannic chloride, chloride of zinc, white vitriol etc. |
| ** | Basic salt (normally aqueous) bicarbonate of potassium, potash, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium phosphate etc. |
| *** | Neutral salt (normally aqueous) calcium chloride, calcium nitrate, calcium sulphate, magnesium chloride, nitrate of potassium, potassium sulphate, sodium chloride, sodium nitrate, sodium sulphate etc. |