How polycarbonate reacts on contact with common chemicals, grouped by family.
- Unchanged no visible effect
- Yellowing / Clouding / Browning surface or colour change
- Cracking / Dissolution avoid contact
Alcohols| Substance | Effect |
|---|
| Methyl alcohol | Cracking |
|---|
| Ethyl alcohol 50% | Unchanged |
|---|
| n-Butyl alcohol | Unchanged |
|---|
| Ethylene glycol | Unchanged |
|---|
Alkali| Substance | Effect |
|---|
| Sodium hydrate 1% | Unchanged |
|---|
| Sodium hydrate 10% | Clouding |
|---|
| Ammonium hydrate 10% | Browning |
|---|
| Calcium hydrate 10% | Unchanged |
|---|
Inorganic acids| Substance | Effect |
|---|
| Hydrochloric acid 35% | Cracking |
|---|
| Hydrochloric acid 10% | Unchanged |
|---|
| Sulphuric acid 70% | Unchanged |
|---|
| Sulphuric acid 30% | Yellowing |
|---|
| Nitric acid 40% | Yellowing |
|---|
| Nitric acid 10% | Yellowing |
|---|
| Chromic acid 10% | Unchanged |
|---|
Inorganic salts| Substance | Effect |
|---|
| Sodium chloride 10% | Unchanged |
|---|
| Potassium nitrate 10% | Unchanged |
|---|
| Potassium bichromate 10% | Yellowing |
|---|
| Sodium sulphate 10% | Unchanged |
|---|
| Ammonium chloride | Unchanged |
|---|
| Sodium carbonate 10% | Unchanged |
|---|
| Sodium bicarbonate 10% | Cracking |
|---|
Plasticisers| Substance | Effect |
|---|
| Tricresyl phosphate | Clouding |
|---|
| Dioctyl adipate | Unchanged |
|---|
| Butyl stearate | Unchanged |
|---|
| Trimethyl phosphate | Unchanged |
|---|
Lubricating oils| Substance | Effect |
|---|
| Silicone oil | Unchanged |
|---|
| Paraffin oil | Unchanged |
|---|
| Machine oil | Unchanged |
|---|
Organic acids| Substance | Effect |
|---|
| Acetic acid 70% | Unchanged |
|---|
| Acetic acid 10% | Unchanged |
|---|
| Formic acid 30% | Unchanged |
|---|
| Lactic acid 5% | Unchanged |
|---|
| Oxalic acid 10% | Unchanged |
|---|
| Benzoic acid 10% | Unchanged |
|---|
| Oleic acid 100% | Unchanged |
|---|
Various| Substance | Effect |
|---|
| Benzol | Fast dissolution |
|---|
| Toluol | Fast dissolution |
|---|
| Industrial petrol | Yellowing – Cracking – Opacification |
|---|
| Kerosene | Unchanged |
|---|
| Naphtha diesel | Unchanged |
|---|
| n-Heptane | Unchanged |
|---|
| Methyl ethyl ketone | Clouding – Softening |
|---|
| Acrylonitrile | Fast dissolution |
|---|
| Vinyl acetate | Clouding – Softening |
|---|
| Styrene | Clouding – Softening |
|---|
| Ethyl ether (5 °C) | Swelling |
|---|
| Diethylenetriamine | Dissolution |
|---|
| Ethylenediamine | Dissolution |
|---|
| Triethanolamine | Cracking |
|---|
| Phenol 5% | Yellowing – Opacification |
|---|
| Cresol 5% | Unchanged |
|---|
| Formalin | Unchanged |
|---|
Note: results depend on concentration, temperature, contact time and stress in the sheet. For cleaning use only water and neutral detergent, and only neutral, polycarbonate-compatible silicone for sealing – see use and maintenance.
Gallina Italy
Gallina USA