H2SO4 storage tanks · molded in Willis, TexasMon–Fri · 936-228-1520
Chemical compatibility
How HDPE, polypropylene and PVDF tanks, fittings, gaskets and metals hold up to sulfuric acid at 1% to 93% concentration, from our chemical compatibility database.
At a glance
HDPE, polypropylene and PVDF tanks all rated Excellent. Every common fitting and gasket works.
HDPE, polypropylene and PVDF all Excellent. Viton® gaskets Excellent; EPDM and Buna-N Good.
PVDF rated Excellent and HDPE rated Good. Polypropylene drops to Fair. Use PVDF fittings and Viton® gaskets.
Above the range of our database. Call us before storing 93–98% acid so we can review your application.
Full ratings
A = Excellent, B = Good, C = Fair (contact us), D = Not recommended. “Severe effect” means our database flags a serious attack at that concentration.
| Material | 1% – 10% | 10% – 75% | 75% – 93% |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDPE (polyethylene) | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Polypropylene | Excellent | Excellent | Fair |
| PVDF (Kynar®) | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Nylon | Fair | Severe effect | Severe effect |
Browse all sulfuric acid tanks.
| Material | 1% – 10% | 10% – 75% | 75% – 93% |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVDF | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| HDPE | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| PVC | Excellent | Excellent | Severe effect |
| CPVC | Excellent | Excellent | Fair |
| Polypropylene | Excellent | Excellent | Fair |
See sulfuric acid tank fittings.
| Material | 1% – 10% | 10% – 75% | 75% – 93% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viton® | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| EPDM | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Buna-N | Excellent | Good | Fair |
| Material | 1% – 10% | 10% – 75% | 75% – 93% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hastelloy | Good | Good | Good |
| 316 stainless steel | Good | Severe effect | Severe effect |
| Titanium | Not recommended | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Aluminum | No data | No data | No data |
Our database covers sulfuric acid up to 93%. For 93–98% commercial acid, contact us. Chemical data for sulfuric acid: PubChem, CID 1118.
What it means
HDPE for the lowest cost to 93%, PVDF for the best resistance at high concentration, polypropylene for hot acid up to 75%.
Above 75%, PVC is severely attacked and CPVC and polypropylene drop to Fair. Specify PVDF fittings for concentrated acid. See fittings.
Viton® is the only gasket rated Excellent at every concentration from 1% to 93%.
ExxonMobil testing in 97% acid found crosslinked polyethylene turned brittle within 1,000 hours while linear HDPE held its strength. HDPE tanks molded by Bailiff are linear. Read the summary or email us for a copy of the study.
316 stainless is severely attacked above 10% and titanium is not recommended at any strength. Hastelloy is rated Good throughout.
FAQ
Yes. HDPE is rated Excellent for sulfuric acid from 1% to 75% and Good from 75% to 93% in our database, which makes it the most economical tank material for most sulfuric acid storage.
Polypropylene is rated Excellent up to 75% but only Fair from 75% to 93%. Use HDPE or PVDF for concentrated acid.
Viton® is rated Excellent at every concentration from 1% to 93%. EPDM is Excellent below 10% and Good above; Buna-N falls to Fair above 75%.
316 stainless steel is rated Good only for dilute acid up to 10%. Above that our database shows a severe effect. Hastelloy is rated Good from 1% to 93%.
Yes. An ExxonMobil Chemical study found crosslinked polyethylene became brittle within about 1,000 hours in 97% sulfuric acid, while linear HDPE and LLDPE kept most of their strength and elongation through 4,000 hours. HDPE tanks molded by Bailiff are linear HDPE.
Our database covers concentrations up to 93%. Contact us before storing 93–98% acid so we can review the resin, fittings and temperature for your application.
Send the acid concentration, temperature, volume and fittings you need. We’ll match the resin, SG rating and gaskets and send a quote.