Physical Properties & Chemical Use and Care

Resistance of Polymers of Plastics

Excellent resistance - Good general
can withstand use resistance - minor

ACRYLIC (AC)
over a long period of attack may occur after
time without change long periods of

PMP (TPX)
in physical, optical or storage. Chemicals can affect the strength, flexibility,
chemical properties.
appearance, dimensions and weight of

HDPE
Poor resistance -

LDPE
Limited resistance -

PTFE
product can be product becomes plastics depending on

PVC

PFA
used for brief mixing unstable on contact

PC
PP

PS
and measuring. with chemical.

Acids-Dilute length of
exposure ....
Acids-concentrated the
temperature ...
Alcohols
... the concentration.
Aldehydes
Certain chemicals, i.e.
Bases
detergents, lubricants,
Esters oils, pure water and sur-
face additives in the presence of
Hydrocarbons-aliphatic tensile stress can lead to cracking.
Prolonged exposure to strong oxi-
Hydrocarbons-aromatic dising agents can also lead to
embrittlement and failure.
Hydrocarbons-halogenated
Never place
Ketones plastic labware in
Oils, mineral direct contact with
a flame or directly
Oils, vegetable onto a hotplate
surface.
Oxidising agents
Generally, you can clean
R Rigid most plastic labware
ACRYLIC (AC)

C Clear
with
PMP (TPX)

O Opaque F Flexible laboratory detergent

HDPE
LDPE

and rinse with

PTFE
PVC

PFA
PC
PP

distilled water.
PS

TL Translucent

Max Temp ºC 80 120† 135 180 70 130 70 90 300 270

Avoid using scourers or
Min Temp ºC -50 -100 -20* -180 -25 -135 -40 -60 -200 -260 abrasive cleaners that
scratch the plastic.
Autoclavable NO NO YES YES NO YES NO NO YES YES

Gas sterilisation YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Particular care should be taken to avoid
the use of strong alkali cleaners with
Dry Heat sterilisation NO NO NO YES NO NO NO NO YES YES polycarbonate. In the case of stains, oils,
Gamma irradiation YES greases or other agents which cannot be
YES NO YES NO YES NO YES YES YES
sterilisation removed by conventional washing you can
Chemical Disinfectant YES YES YES YES YES YES YES NO NO YES adopt the following measures with care:
sterilisation
a. Soaking in chromic acid solution will
Transparency TL TL TL C C C C C O TL loosen organic particles.
mm cm3/cm2 sec (cm Hg) x 1010

Flexibility F R R R R R R R R F b. Bleaches (such as sodium hypochlorite if

used at 20ºC - 25ºC will also assist in the
Gas Permeability N2 20 3 4.4 65 0.4 3 3 - - - cleaning of organically stained plastic
labware. Not suitable for use with
Gas Permeability CO2 280 45 92 - 10.2 85 75 - - - polycarbonate.
Gas Permeability 02 60 10 28 270 1.2 20 15 - - - c. Methylene chloride and acetone will help
remove oils, however prolonged exposure
Water Absorbtion % <0.01 <0.01 <0.02 <0.01 0.06 0.35 0.05 0.3 0.3 <0.03 to such organic solvents can cause swelling
of certain plastics. In general do not use
Resistivity Ohm CM2 >1015 >1015 >1016 >1016 <1016 2x1016 >1016 >1014 >1018 1018
solvents with polycarbonate, PVC, acrylic
Specific gravity 0.92 0.95 0.90 0.83 1.34 1.20 1.05 1.18 2.2 2.16 or polystyrene.

†
Please note that the polymer may become malleable at temperatures above 80ºC if the product For more detailed information on cleaning
is under structural stress. procedures contact our technical dept.
*Warning. Material may become brittle at low temperatures