North America 1

Polypropylene

Pro-fax and Moplen Polypropylene Chemical Resistance

Contents

About Basell

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3 3 5 5 6 7 8 9

Pro-fax and Moplen chemical resistance Rating system Chemicals A - C Chemicals C - L Chemicals M - S Chemicals S - Z

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Basell contact information

Pro-fax and Moplen Polypropylene Chemical Resistance

About Basell
Basell develops, produces and markets polypropylene, polyethylene, advanced polyolefin materials and polyolefin catalysts and also develops and licenses polyolefin processes. Formed in October 2000, Basell is owned equally by BASF and Shell. Basell and its joint ventures serve customers in more than 120 countries with materials produced in 18 countries. The companys network of joint ventures expand Basells technology and market base and enable the company to follow key customers as they expand and globalize their operations. With research and development centers in Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region, Basell is continuing and expanding a technological heritage that dates back to the start of the polyolefins industry. The company is committed to continuously extending the property profile of its polyolefins portfolio and to developing with its customers a shared agenda for bringing new products to market as quickly as possible. Basell is committed to strong Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) performance. The companys products are used in countless consumer and industrial goods from food and drink packaging to car components, and from household products to underground piping. Basells corporate centre is located in Hoofddorp, The Netherlands, near Amsterdam. The company has regional offices in Brussels, Belgium; Mainz, Germany; Wilmington, Delaware, USA; Sao Paulo, Brazil and Hong Kong, as well as sales offices in the major markets around the world.

Pro-fax and Moplen chemical resistance

Pro-fax and Moplen polypropylene resins, like most polyolefins, are highly resistant to solvents and chemicals. The results of extensive laboratory and actual field installation tests of polypropylene's chemical resistance are reported in this publication, which is updated at intervals. The chemical resistance data presented here is based on ASTM D543. Unstressed specimens of Pro-fax resin, 3 in. long by 0.025 in. (76.2 mm x 0.635 mm) thick, in the shape of dumbbells were used. Results are reported after 1-month immersion. As it is difficult to create actual service conditions in the laboratory, the results of many of the environments should be taken only as an indication of behavior in service. Pro-fax and Moplen polypropylene resins have outstanding resistance to water and other inorganic environments. In most aqueous environments, its weight increase is less than 0.2% when it has been stored for 6 months at ambient temperatures. When the temperature is increased to 60C (140F), the weight increase is less than 0.5% for a similar period. According to ASTM D570, its 24-hr water absorption rate is 0.03%. It resists most strong mineral acids and bases, but, like the other polyolefins, it is subject to attack by oxidizing agents. Pro-fax and Moplen polypropylene resins are appreciably affected by chlorosulfonic acid and oleum at room temperature, 98% sulfuric acid, 30% hydrochloric acid, and 30% hydrogen peroxide at 100C (212F). They are also affected by 98% sulfuric acid at 60C (140F) and fuming nitric acid and liquid bromine at room temperatures. Under strain, failure could occur with strong oxidizing acids at temperatures lower than those mentioned. With few exceptions, however, inorganic chemicals produce little or no effect on Pro-fax and Moplen resins over a period of 6 months at temperatures up to 120C (248F).

The permeation resistance of Pro-fax and Moplen polypropylene resins to organic chemicals depends on the rate and extent to which absorption occurs. This, in turn, affects the suitability of the resin to serve in a particular environment. When the resin is removed from the environment, evaporation will take place and cause it to return almost to its original dimensions. Property changes resulting from the absorption will be reversed if evaporation is complete. Temperature and polarity of the organic medium are the foremost factors in determining the extent of absorption by polypropylene. Absorption becomes greater as temperatures are increased and polarity of the medium is decreased. Polypropylene copolymers swell more than homopolymers, indicating greater absorption. Such nonpolar liquids as benzene, carbon tetrachloride, and petroleum ether have a higher absorption rate with polypropylene than polar media such as ethanol and acetone. Some reduction in tensile strength and an increase in flexibility and elongation-to-break in tension can be expected, depending on the nature and amount of the organic medium absorbed. Pro-fax and Moplen polypropylene resins have excellent resistance to environmental stress-cracking. When they are tested according to ASTM D1693 the brittle fractures that occur with certain polyethylenes in contact with polar organic liquids, detergents, and silicone fluids are not observed. Failure of this type with polypropylene is rare. Those environments known to cause such cracking to polypropylene are 98% sulfuric acid, concentrated chromic/sulfuric acid mixtures, and concentrated hydrochloric acid/chlorine mixtures. The useful life of Pro-fax and Moplen polypropylene resins at elevated temperatures is limited by oxidative degradation. The expected life of polypropylene at any given temperature is also determined by the nature of the environment, and by the extraction of some of the antioxidant system. Any environment that tends to extract the antioxidants may lead to more rapid breakdown of the polypropylene, especially at elevated temperatures.

Rating system
This chart rates the chemical resistance of Pro-fax polypropylene resin according to the following code:
Note: The user is advised to make his or her own tests to determine the suitability of polypropylene in the particular environment.

A = Negligible effect
Should be suitable for all applications where these environmental conditions exist.

C = Extensive absorption and/or rapid permeation

Should be suitable for applications where only intermittent service is involved, or where the swelling produced has no detrimental effect on the part. The user should make his or her own tests to determine the suitability of polypropylene in the particular environment.

B = Limited absorption or attack

Should be suitable for most applications, but the user is advised to make his or her own tests to determine the suitability of polypropylene in the particular environment.

D = Extensive attack
The specimen dissolves or disintegrates. Polypropylene is not recommended.
Environment Conc. % Temp., C 60 100 Environment Conc. % Temp., C 60 100

20

20

Acetic acid (glacial) Acetic acid Acetic acid Acetic acid Acetone Acetophenone Acriflavine (2% solution in H20) Acrylic emulsions Aluminum chloride Aluminum fluoride Aluminum sulfate Alums (all types) Ammonia (aqueous) Ammonia gas (dry) Ammonium carbonate Ammonium chloride Ammonium fluoride Ammonium hydroxide Ammonium metaphosphate Ammonium nitrate Ammonium persulfate Ammonium sulfate Ammonium sulfide Ammonium thiocyanate Amyl acetate Amyl alcohol Amyl chloride Aniline Anisole Antimony chloride

97 50 40 10 100 100 2

A A A A A B A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A B A C A B A

B (80C) A (80C) A A B A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A C B C A B A

(80C)

Aviation fuel (115/145 octane) Aviation turbine fuel Barium carbonate Barium chloride Barium hydroxide Barium sulfate Barium sulfide Beer Benzene Benzoic acid Benzyl alcohol Bismuth carbonate Borax Boric acid Brine Bromine liquid Bromine water Butyl acetate Butyl alcohol Calcium carbonate Calcium chlorate Calcium chloride Calcium hydroxide Calcium hypochlorite bleach Calcium nitrate Calcium phosphate Calcium sulfate Calcium sulfite Carbon dioxide (dry) Carbon dioxide (wet)

100 100 Satd. Satd. Satd. Satd. 100 A

B B A A A A A A B A A A A A A D C C A A A A A A A A A A A A

C C A A A A A A C A (80C) A A A A C A A A A A B A A A A A

Satd.

30 Satd. Satd. 20 10 Satd. Satd. Satd. Satd. Satd. Satd. 100 100 100 100 100

Satd. 100 (a) 100 100 Satd. Satd. 50 20(a) 50

Environment

Conc. %

20

Temp., C 60 100

Environment

Conc. %

20

Temp., C 60 100

Carbon disulfide Carbon monoxide Carbon tetrachloride Carbonic acid Castor oil Cetyl alcohol Chlorine (gas) Chlorobenzene Chloroform Chlorosulfonic acid Chrome alum Chromic acid Chromic acid Chromic acid Chromic/sulfuric acid Cider Citric acid Copper chloride Copper cyanide Copper fluoride Copper nitrate Copper sulfate Cottonseed oil Cuprous chloride Cyclohexanol Cyclohexanone Decalin Detergents Developers (photographic) Dibutyl phthalate Dichloroethylene Diethanolamine Diisooctyl phthalate Emulsifiers Ethanolamine Ethyl acetate Ethyl alcohol Ethyl chloride Ethylene dichloride Ethylene glycol Ethylene oxide Ethyl ether Fatty acids (C6) Ferric chloride Ferric nitrate Ferric sulfate

100 100

100 100 100 100 100 80(a) 50(a) 10(a)

10 Satd. Satd. Satd. Satd. Satd. Satd. 100 100 100 2 100 100 100 100

B A C A A A D C C D A A A A D A A A A A A A A A A B C A A A A A A A A B A

C A C A D C D D A A A D A A A A A A A A A B C C A A B A A A A B A (80C) C A A A A A

C D D C A D

Ferrous chloride Ferrous sulfate Fluorosilicic acid Formaldehyde Formic acid Formic acid Fructose Fruit juices Furfural Gas liquor Gasoline Gearbox oil Gelatin Glucose Glycerin Glycol Hexane Hydrobromic acid Hydrochloric acid Hydrochloric acid Hydrochloric acid Hydrochloric acid 50-50 HCI-HNO3 Hydrofluoric acid Hydrofluoric acid Hydrogen chloride gas (dry) Hydrogen peroxide Hydrogen peroxide Hydrogen peroxide Hydrogen sulfide Hydroquinone Inks Iodine tincture Isooctane Isopropyl alcohol Ketones Lactic acid Lanolin Lead acetate Linseed oil Lubricating oil

Satd. Satd. 40 100 10

100

A A A A A A A A C C B A A A A A A A A A A A B A A A A A A A A A A C A A

A A A A A A A C C B A A A A B A B A (80C) A (80C) A D (80C) A (40C) A B A A A C A A A A A B

C A D B A D

100 100 20 100

100 50(a) 30(a) 20 10 2 (a) 40 60(a) 100 30 10 3

100 100 96 100 100

C B A 100 B (10C) 100 B 100 Satd. Satd. Satd. A A A A

100 100

20 100 Satd. 100 100

A A A A A

Environment

Conc. %

20

Temp., C 60 100

Environment

Conc. %

20

Temp., C 60 100

Magenta dye (aqueous solution) Magnesium carbonate Magnesium chloride Magnesium hydroxide Magnesium nitrate Magnesium sulfate Magnesium sulfite Meat juices Mercuric chloride Mercuric cyanide Mercurous nitrate Mercury Methyl alcohol Methylene chloride Methyl ethyl ketone Milk and its products Mineral oil Molasses Motor oil Naphthalene Nickel chloride Nickel nitrate Nickel sulfate Nitric acid Nitric acid Nitric acid Nitric acid 50-50 HNO3-HCI 50-50 HNO3-H2S04 Nitrobenzene Oleic acid Oleum Olive oil Oxalic acid (aqueous) Paraffin Paraffin wax Petrol Petroleum ether (boiling point 100-140C) Phenol Phosphoric acid Plating solutions, brass

Satd. Satd. Satd. Satd. Satd. Satd. 40 Satd. Satd. 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Satd. Satd. Satd. fuming 70(a) 60 10 (a) (a) 100

A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A D C A A B C A A A A A A B C A A A

A Some staining A A A A A A A A A A A A B A B A B A A A A D D D (80C) A D (80C) D (80C) A B A B B A C C A A A

A A D A D

Plating solutions, cadmium Plating solutions, chromium Plating solutions, copper Plating solutions, gold Plating solutions, indium Plating solutions, lead Plating solutions, nickel Plating solutions, rhodium Plating solutions, silver Plating solutions, tin Plating solutions, zinc Potassium bicarbonate Potassium borate Potassium bromate Potassium bromide Potassium carbonate Potassium chlorate Potassium chloride Potassium chromate Potassium cyanide Potassium dichromate Potassium ferri-/ferrocyanide Potassium fluoride Potassium hydroxide Potassium hydroxide Potassium nitrate Potassium perborate Potassium perchlorate Potassium permanganate Potassium sulfate Potassium sulfide Potassium sulfite Propyl alcohol Pyridine Silicone oil Soap solution (concentrated) Sodium acetate Sodium bicarbonate Sodium bisulfate Sodium bisulfite Sodium borate Sodium bromide oil solution Sodium carbonate Sodium chlorate Sodium chloride Sodium chlorite Sodium chlorite

Satd. 1 10 Satd. Satd. Satd. Satd. 40 Satd. 40

50 10 Satd. Satd. 10 20

100 100 100

A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A (80C)

A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A (80C) A

A A

100 50 100 100 100 100 100 95

Satd. Satd. Satd.

Satd. Satd. Satd. 2 5

Environment

Conc. %

20

Temp., C 60 100

Environment

Conc. %

20

Temp., C 60 100

Sodium chlorite Sodium chlorite Sodium cyanide Sodium dichromate Sodium ferricyanide Sodium ferrocyanicle Sodium fluoride Sodium hydroxide Sodium hydroxide Sodium hypochlorite Sodium nitrate Sodium nitrite Sodium silicate Sodium sulfate Sodium sulfide Sodium sulfite Stannic chloride Stannous chloride Starch Sugars and syrups Sulfamic acid

10 20 Satd. Satd. Satd. Satd. Satd. 50 10 20

Satd. 25 Satd. Satd. Satd.

A (80C) A (80C) A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

A A A A A A A A A B A A A A A A A A A A A (80C) A

A B

Turpentine Urea Urine

100

C A A A A A B A C A

C A A A D (70C) A B (80C) C A C A A A A

C A A C

Water (distilled, soft, hard and vapor) Wet chlorine gas Whiskey White Paraffin White spirit Wines Xylene Yeast Zinc chloride Zinc oxide Zinc sulfate Satd. Satd.

100 100

100

A A A

Sulfates of

Calcium and magnesium Satd.

Sulfates of Sulfur Sulfuric acid Sulfuric acid

potassium and sodium

A A C A A A C

A A B (80C) B A D (80C) A A A C C C C A A (80C)

D A

98(a) 60 50 10 (a)

Sulfuric acid Sulfuric acid 50-50 H2SO4/HNO3

Tallow Tannic acid Tartaric acid Tetrahydrofuran Tetralin Toluene Transformer oil Trichloroacetic acid Trichloroethylene

10 100 100 100 100 10 100

A A A C C C A A A

C C

(a) May produce cracking in material under stress

Before using a Basell product, customers and other users should make their own independent determination that the product is suitable for the intended use. They should also ensure that they can use the Basell product safely and legally. (Material Safety Data Sheets are available from Basell at www.basell.com.) This document does not constitute a warranty, express or implied, including a warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No one is authorized to make such warranties or assume any liabilities on behalf of Basell except in writing signed by an authorized Basell employee. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the exclusive remedy for all claims is replacement of the product or refund of the purchase price at Basells option, and in no event shall Basell be liable for special, consequential, incidental, punitive, or exemplary damages.

Basell N.V. Hoeksteen 66 2132 MS Hoofddorp The Netherlands tel: +31 20 44 68 644 fax: +31 20 44 68 666

Basell North America Inc. Three Little Falls Centre 2801 Centerville Road Wilmington, Delaware 19808-1652 tel: 302 996 6000 fax: 302 996 6051

Europe Regional Headquarters

Basell Polyolefins Company N.V. Woluwe Garden Woluwedal 24 1932 Zaventem (Brussels) Belgium tel: +32 2 715 80 00 fax: +32 2 715 80 50 Basell Polypropylen GmbH Rheinstrasse 4G 55116 Mainz Germany tel: +49 6131 207 0 fax: +49 6131 207 5 55

Sales Offices
Basell Canada 201 City Centre Dr., Suite 900 Mississauga, Ontario L5B 2T4 Canada tel: 302 996 6000 fax: 302 996 6051 Basell Automotive 900 Wilshire Drive Suite 390 Troy, Michigan 48084 tel: 302 996 6000 fax: 302 996 6051

Asia-Pacific Regional Headquarters

Basell China Ltd. 22/F Hennessey Centre 500 Hennessy Road Causeway Bay Hong Kong China tel: +852 2577 3855 fax: +852 2895 6556

Pro-fax and Moplen are trademarks owned or used by Basell. Pro-fax and Moplen are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

www.basell.com

All technical assistance and advice is furnished by Basell without compensation. Basell assumes no obligation or liability with respect to such advice and assistance and disclaims any and all warranties with respect to such advice and assistance.

08/02

Corporate Headquarters

North America Regional Headquarters/Sales Office