CORROSION RESISTANCE RATINGS

Chemical corrosion is the action of chemicals on a metal,

resulting in the formation of a new compound.

The following table lists various materials and their resistance to chemicals under average conditions. However, it is intended
only as a guide and does not imply a guarantee due to the number of variable conditions which may be encountered.

RATINGS

E - The material should be suitable under most conditions.

S - The material offers fair corrosion resistance. It may be considered in place of a material with an "E" rating when some
property other than corrosion resistance governs its use.
N - The material is not suitable.
MATERIAL

MATERIAL
304 Stainless

304 Stainless
Cupro Nickel

Cupro Nickel
Polyethylene

Polyethylene
Inconel 600

Inconel 600
Alloy 825

Alloy 825
Copper

Copper
CHEMICAL
➤ CHEMICAL
➤
PVC

PVC
➤

Acetic Acid S E E S S S S Barium Carbonate E E E E E E E

Acetic Anhydride S S E S S N N Barium Chloride S S E S S E E
Acetone S E E E E N N Barium Hydroxide N E E S E E E
Acetylene N N E E S N E Barium Sulfate N E E E - E E
Alcohols E E E E - S E Barium Sulfide N S E E - E S
Alum S E E N S E E Beer S E E E E E E

Alumina E E E N N - E Beet Sugar Syrups E E E E - - E

Aluminum Chloride S S E N - E E Benzine E E E E E N N
Aluminum Hydroxide E E E E - S E Benzoic Acid E E E S - E E
Aluminum Sulfate S E E N S E E Benzol E E E E E E N
Ammonia, Absolutely dry N E E E E E E Black Liquor, Sulphate Process S S E S N - E
Ammonia, moist N S E E E N N Bleaching Powder, Wet S S S N N - N

Ammonium Hydroxide N S E E E E E Borax S E E E E E E

Ammonium Chloride S S E N S E E Bordeaux Mixture E E - E - - -
Ammonium Nitrate N S E E S E E Boric Acid S E E S E E E
Ammonium Sulfate S S E S S E E Brines S E E - S E E
Amyl Acetate S S E E E N N Bromine, dry E E E N - N N
Amyl Alcohol E E E - - E S Bromine, moist S S S N E N N

Aniline N N E E E S N Butane E E E E E - E
Aniline Dyes N N E E E N N Butyl Alcohol S S E - - E S
Asphalt E E E E - - E Butyric Acid S S E E S N N
Atmosphere, Industrial E E E E E E E Calcium Bisilite S S E S N S E
Atmosphere, Marine S E E N S E E Calcium Chloride S S E E E E E
Atmosphere, Rural E E E E E E E Calcium Hydroxide S E E S E E E
 CORROSION RESISTANCE RATINGS (cont’d)

MATERIAL

MATERIAL
304 Stainless

304 Stainless
Cupro Nickel

Cupro Nickel
Polyethylene

Polyethylene
Inconel 600

Inconel 600
Alloy 825

Alloy 825
Copper

Copper
CHEMICAL
➤ CHEMICAL
➤

PVC

PVC
➤

➤
Calcium Hypochlorite S S S N S E E Hydrochloric Acid N N S N N E E
Cane Sugar Syrups E E E E E - E Hydrocyanic Acid, dry S S S N S S N
Carbolic Acid S S E S E E E Hydrofluosilicic Acid S S E N S - S
Carbon Dioxide, dry E E E E E E E Hydrogen E E E E - E E
Carbon Dioxide, moist S E E S E E E Hydrogen Peroxide N N E S E S E
Carbonated Water S E E E - E - Hydrogen Sulfide, dry N E E S S E E

Carbonated Beverages S E E E E E E Hydrogen Sulfide, moist N N E S S E E

Carbon Disulfide N - E E - N N Kerosene E E E E E N E
Carbon Tetrachloride, dry E E E E E N S Lacquers E E E S - - -
Carbon Tetrachloride, moist S E E S E N N Lacquer Solvents E E E - - - -
Castor Oil E E E E E E E Lactic Acid S E E S S E S
Chlorine, dry S E E S - S N Lime S E E S - - E

Chlorine, moist N S S N N N N Line-Sulfur N N - E - - E

Chloracetic Acid S S E N S - S Linseed Oil S S E E S S E
Chloroform, dry E E E E E N N Magnesium Chloride S S E S E E E
Chromic Acid N N E N N S S Magnesium Hydroxide E E E E S E E
Cider S S E S - E E Magnesium Sulfate S E E E E E E
Citric Acid S E E S - E E Mercury N N E E E E E

Coffee E E E E - - - Mercury Salts N N E E S E E

Copper Chloride N N E S N E E Methyl Alcohol S S E E E E S
Copper Nitrate N N E E N E E Methyl Chloride, dry S E E E E N N
Copper Sulfate S E E E S E E Milk S E E E E E E
Corn Oil E E E E E E E Mine Water N - E E - E E
Cottonseed Oil E E E E E E E Natural Gas E E E E E - -

Creosote S E E N - N N Nitric Acid N N E S N S N

Crude Oil E E E E - - - Nitrogen E E E - S - -
Ethers E E E E E N N Oleic Acid S S E N E N E
Ethyl Acetate E E E S S N N Oxalic Acid S S E N E E E
Ethyl Alcohol E E E E - E E Oxygen E E E E E - E
Ethyl Chloride S S E E E N N Palmitic Acid S S E N - S E

Ethylene Glycol E E E E - E S Paraffin E E E E - - -

Ferric Chloride N N S N N E E Phosophoric Acid S S E N S S E
Ferric Sulfate N N E E E E E Potassium Carbonate E E E E E E E
Ferrous Chloride N S S N N E E Potassium Chloride S E E N E E E
Ferrous Sulfate S S E S - E E Potassium Chromate E E E S E E E
Formaldehyde S E E S E E S Potassium Cyanide N N E E E E E

Formic Acid S S E N S E N Potassium Dichromate, Acid N N E E S E E

Freon E E E E - E E Potassium Hydroxide S E E S E E E
Fruit Juices S S E E E E E Potassium Sulfate E E E E E E E
Fuel Oil S E E N S N S Propane E E E E - - E
Furfural E E E E S N N Rosin S E E E - - -
Gasoline E E E E E N N Sea Water S E E N S E E

Gelatine E E E E E - E Sewage E E E - - E E
Glucose E E E E E E E Silver Salts N N E E - E E
Glue E E E - - - - Soap Solutions E E E E - E E
Glycerine S E E E E E E Sodium Bicarbonate E E E S S E E
Hydrobromic Acid N N S N N E E Sodium Bisulfate S E E S S E E
Hydrocarbons, Pure E E E E E E E Sodium Bisulfite S S E S S E E
 CORROSION RESISTANCE RATINGS (cont’d)

MATERIAL

MATERIAL
304 Stainless

304 Stainless
Cupro Nickel

Cupro Nickel
Polyethylene

Polyethylene
Inconel 600

Inconel 600
Alloy 825

Alloy 825
Copper

Copper
CHEMICAL
➤ CHEMICAL
➤

PVC

PVC
➤

➤
Sodium Carbonate E E E E E E E Sulfur Trioxide, dry E E E - - E E
Sodium Chloride S E E N E E E Sulfuric Acid, 80-95% N S E N N N S
Sodium Chromate E E E - - - - Sulfuric Acid, 40-80% N N E N N N E
Sodium Cyanide N N E E - E E Sulfuric Acid, 40% N S E N S E E
Sodium Dichromate, Acid N N E - - E E Sulfurous Acid S N E N N E E
Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) S E E S E E E Tannic Acid S E E E - E E

Sodium Hypochlorite S S S N N E E Tar E E E - - - -

Sodium Nitrate S E E S E E E Tartaric Acid S E E S S S E
Sodium Peroxide S S E E E - E Toluene E E E E E N N
Sodium Phosphate E E E E E - E Trichloracetic Acid S S E E - - -
Sodium Silicate S E E E E - - Trichlorethylene, dry E E E S S N N
Sodium Sulfate E E E E S E E Trichlorethylene, moist S E E S S N N

Sodium Sulfide N N E N S E E Turpentine E E E S E N E

Sodium Sulfite S S E E S E E Varnish E E E E - - -
Sodium Thiosulfate N N E E E E E Vinegar S E E S E E E
Steam E E E E - E - Water, Potable S E E E - E E
Stearic Acid S E E S E E E Zinc Chloride S S E N - E E
Sugar Solutions E E E - - E E Zinc Sulfate S E E S - E E

Sulfur, dry S E E S S E E
Sulfur, molten N N S S N - N
Sulfur Chloride, dry E E E S - - E
Sulfur Dioxide, dry E E E E E S E
Sulfur Dioxide, moist S N E S N S N

CORROSION RESISTANCE RATINGS OF MATERIALS

When dissimilar metals are together in the presence It will be noted that copper and aluminum are far apart
of an electrolyte, a difference in electrical potential between in the series, copper being cathodic and aluminum,
the metals can arise. One metal becomes the cathode anodic; thus, if aluminum and copper are in contact in
and is positively charged. If the metals are in contact a suitable electrolyte, it can be expected that the aluminum
or a circuit can be established as in an electric cell, then will be severely attacked.
current can flow resulting in an attack of the anodic metal,
leaving the cathodic metal relatively unharmed. Under dry conditions or in the absence of an
electrolyte, corrosion is unimportant when most
The extent of the anodic attack is proportional to the dissimilar metals are in close proximity; therefore, an
current flowing, which in turn is proportional to the assessment as to whether corrosion can occur has to
potential difference developed. be based on a knowledge of the electrolytes likely to be
present.
Generated potential differences between dissimilar
metals depend on their position in the galvanic series
given below; the further apart the metals are in the series,
the greater the electrolytic potential difference will be,
hence, the greater will be the anodic attack.
 ELECTROLYTIC CHART
a) To prevent corrosion, the maximum EMF between metals must b) To prevent corrosion, the maximum EMF between metals must
be less than .25 when wetted with sea water. be less than .50 when wetted with condensation (no salt).

MATERIAL PERCENTAGE
Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.75
Aluminum Brass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.21
Aluminum Bronze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.23
Brass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.30
Cadmium Plating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.78
Chromium Plating .403 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.42

Chromium Plating .0005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.53

Copper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.18
Copper Nickel 60/40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.18
Duralumin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.60
Galvanized Iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1.06
German Silver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.19

Gun Metal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.24

Iron (Grey Cast) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.70
Magnesium Alloys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1.58
Monel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.16
Nickel Alloy 45% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.13
Nickel Plating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.14

Phosphur Bronze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.22

Silver Lead Solder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.50
Silver Plating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +.01
Steel (Non-stainless) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.72 -.76
Steel (Stainless) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.20 -.25
Tin-Man Solder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.48

Tinned Steel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.47

Tinned Zinc Alloy 80/20 (Electro Deposit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1.04
Tinned Zinc Alloy (Not Electro Deposit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -.99
Zinc Brass Alloy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1.09
Zinc Cadmium Solder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1.04
Zinc (Passivated, Non-Acid) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1.10
Zinc Plating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -1.10
The anodic, or most negative material will be corroded while the For most outdoor applications where moisture is certain to be present,
cathodic or most noble end will be protected. metals close to one another in the series should be used if in contact
with one another.

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