CHEMICAL RESISTANCE

XANTAR®, XANTAR® C and XANTAR® E grades are resistant against many substances, although some chemical agents may attack under certain circumstances. The chemical resistance of XANTAR®, XANTAR® C and XANTAR® E grades not only depends on the nature of the substance or chemical it is exposed to, but also on the concentration, the temperature, the exposure time, the molecular weight and the stress (which can be a result of moulding and/or external loading). In general, modified XANTAR® grades and XANTAR® blends will be less sensitive to environmental stress cracking compared to standard XANTAR® grades. For most demanding applications, where environmental stress cracking should be as low as possible at both high and sub-zero temperatures, XANTAR® XRM grades are developed.

The comprehensive table on the next page gives a general overview of the chemical resistance of XANTAR®. This overview merely gives indicative information. In order to determine the actual chemical resistance under practical circumstances, a basic test procedure is available at our Technical Center in Geleen, The Netherlands. The test allows us to easily establish the effect of a chemical agent on a selected grade under certain combinations of time, temperature and stress. For highest accuracy it is recommended to determine the performance under 'real life' conditions.

INDICATIVE CHEMICAL RESISTANCE OF XANTAR® POLYCARBONATE

Chemical   Rating
Alcohols: monohydric Good
  polyhydric Good
Bases: concentrated Poor
  diluted (1:1) Poor
Esters:   Poor
Fats, oils & greases:   Fair
Hydrocarbons: aliphatic Poor-Fair
  aromatic Poor
  fully halogenated Fair-Good
  partially halogenated Poor
Inorganic acids: concentrated Fair
  diluted (1:1) Good
Ketones:   Poor
Organic acids: concentrated Fair
  diluted (1:1) Good
Phenols:   Poor
Salt solutions: acid Good
  basic Fair
  neutral Excellent
Excellent: Recommended; no adverse effects after extended exposure.
Good: Acceptable; minimal loss of mechanical properties after long periods of exposure.
Fair: Marginal acceptability; loss of mechanical properties with intermittent exposure.
Poor: Not recommended for use with polycarbonate resins.
This information and our technical advice - whether verbal, in writing or by way of trials - are given in good faith but without warranty. Our advice does not release you from the obligation to verify the information currently provided and to test our products as to their suitability for the intended processes and uses. The application, use and processing of our products and the products manufactured by you on the basis of our technical advice are beyond our control and, therefore, entirely your own responsibility.