Properties

Chemical Resistance

Chemical Resistance

Vectran™ fiber is resistant to organic solvents, some acids of >90% concentration, and bases of <30% concentration. Chemical resistance is important in protective apparel use, garment care and upkeep. The superior bleach resistance of Vectran™, shown here at two concentrations, plus low shrinkage and stain resistance, can greatly simplify use and care of protective fabrics.

Bleach resistance –
Vectran™ vs. aramid

Chemical resistance of Vectran™ fiber

  Fiber Strength Retention (%)
Reagent Formula Concentration (%) Temperature (°C) Time (hours) Vectran™ HT Vectran™ UM Aramid (reg.)
Acids              
Hydrochloric acid HCl 1 50 100 100 96 93
    1 50 10,000 84 – 16
    10 70 1 96 – 73
    10 70 10 93 – 26
Sulfuric acid H2SO4 1 50 100 99 99 98
    1 50 1,000 93 – 88
    1 50 10,000 85 – 28
    10 20 100 100 – 94
    10 20 10,00 90 – 69
    10 50 100 98 – 86
    10 50 10,00 82 – 12
    10 70 10 94 – 79
    10 70 100 93 – 19
    10 100 10 96 – 40
Nitric acid HNO3 1 50 100 99 100 83
    1 50 1,000 97 – 29
    1 50 10,000 86 – 14
    10 70 1 95 – 60
    10 70 100 92 – 5
Phosphoric acid   10 70 100 93 – 46
    10 100 100 91 – 20
Formic acid   90 20 100 96 – 93
    90 70 100 93 – 42
Acetic acid   40 70 100 94 – 37
    40 100 100 90 – 22
Alkalis              
Sodium hydroxide
(caustic soda)		 NaOH 10 20 100 97 – 68
  10 70 20 66 – 21
Calcium Hydroxide Ca(OH)2 saturated 50 100 96 86 93
    saturated 50 1,000 85 – 60
    saturated 50 10,000 9 – 20
Cement Extract   – 20 10 99 – 98
    – 20 10,000 90 – 69
    – 50 10 99 – 94
    – 50 100 97 – 90
    – 50 10,000 6 – 20
Organic Solvents              
Acetone CH3COCH3 100 20 100 100 100 99
    100 20 10,000 99 – 99
Benzene C6H6 100 70 100 95 – 93
Carbon tetrachloride CCl4 100 20 100 96 – 95
Ether   100 20 100 98 – 95
Ethyl acetate   100 20 100 98 – 96
Toluene C6H5CH3 100 20 100 100 100 96
    100 20 10,000 98 – 99
Methanol CH3OH 100 20 100 96 – 94
Perchloro ethylene   100 20 100 95 – 96
Formaldehyde   37 20 100 96 – 98
Ethylene glycol HOCH2CH2OH 50 100 10 92 – 90
    50 100 100 79 – 74
Ammonia solution NH3 10 70 24 35 – 95
Salts              
Sodium carbonate Na2CO3 1 50 100 96 100 100
    1 50 10,000 80 – 67
Sodium chloride NaCl 1 50 100 100 99 100
    1 50 10,000 95 99 97
Copper sulfate CuSO4 1 50 100 101 100 100
    1 50 10,000 90 100 68
Zinc chloride ZnCl2 1 50 100 98 99 99
    1 50 10,000 85 99 97
Oils              
Mineral oil   100 20 100 100 100 100
  100 20 10,000 100 – 100

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