Chemical Compatibility Guide for:

Low Density Polyethylene Products

NOTICE:
This report is offered as a guide and was developed from information which, to the best of New Pig Corporations
knowledge, was reliable and accurate. Due to variables and conditions of application beyond New Pig Corporations
control, none of the data shown in this guide is to be construed as a guarantee, expressed, or implied. New Pig
Corporation assumes no responsibility, obligation, or liability in conjunction with the use or misuse of the
information.
This listing was prepared to provide guidance to the chemical compatibility of New Pig Corporation containment
pallets and decks, containers and other polyethylene products.
Polyethylene is susceptible to some chemicals. These chemicals may cause stress cracking, swelling, oxidation, or
may permeate the polyethylene. These actions may reduce the physical properties of polyethylene containers.
Stress cracking: Some surface-active chemicals can accelerate the cracking of polyethylene when it is under stress.
Absorption / Swelling: Certain types of chemicals will absorb or swell polyethylene to varying degrees. In some
cases, a loss of physical properties may occur. Use of chemicals that may affect polyethylene in this manner will
depend upon the performance requirements of the application.
Oxidation: Some aqueous solution of materials with an oxidizing action will attack polyethylene. Short-term
containment of these chemicals may not significantly affect the polyethylene. However, long-term storage of high
temperature chemicals should be approached with caution.
Chemical
Acetaldehyde (40%)
Acetamide
Acetic Acid (50%)
Acetic Acid Anhydride
Acetic Ether
Acetone
Acetylene Tetrabromide
Acrylic Emulsions
Acrylonitrile
Adipic Acid
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons (Hexane,
Octane, Hexene, Octene, etc.)
Alkaline
Allyl Alcohol (96%)
Alum (Aqueous Solutions)
Aluminum Chloride (20%)
Aluminum Fluoride
Aluminum Hydrogen Solution
(10%)
Aluminum Hydroxide
Alums (All types)
Ammonia (Anhydrous)
Ammonia (Aqueous)
Ammonia (100% dry gas)
Ammonium Salts
Ammonium Acetate
Last Revised 5/2/2008

Rating

Chemical

Rating

L
L
L
S
S
L
S
S
L
L
L

Hydrogen Bromide (10%)

Hydrogen Peroxide (90%)
Hydrogen Phosphide (100%)
Hydroquinone
Hydrogen Sulfide
Hypochlorous Acid
Inks
Iodine (Alc. Sol.) Conc.
Iron Salts
Iso-Octane
Isopropyle Acetate

L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
S
L

L
L
L
L
L
L

Isopropyl Alcohol
Isopropyl Ether
Jet Fuel
Kerosene
Lactic Acid (All concentrations)
Lanolin

L
N
S
S
L
L

L
L
L
L
L
L
L

Latex
Lead Salts
Lead Acetate Satd
Lime
Linseed Oil
Lithium Salts
Lube Oil

L
L
L
L
L
L
L
Page 1 of 6

Chemical

Rating

Chemical

Rating

Ammonium Acetate
Ammonium Bifluoride
Ammonium Carbonate (50%)
Ammonium Chloride
Ammonium Hydrogen Fluoride
(50%)
Ammonium Hydroxide
Ammonium Metaphosphate Satd
Ammonium Nitrate (10%)
Ammonium Nitrate Satd
Ammonium Persulfate Satd
Ammonium Phosphate
Ammonium Sulfate (10%)
Ammonium Sulfate Satd
Ammonium Sulfide Satd
Ammonium Thiocyanate Satd
Amyl Acetate
Amyl Alcohol (100%)
Amyl Chloride
Aniline (100%)
Aniline Hydrochloride
Animal Fats
Anti-Freeze
Antimony Salts
Antimony Trichloride (90%)
Aqua Regia
Aqueous Salt Solutions (NaCl)
Aqueous Alkalies (NaOH)

L
L
L
L
L

Magnesium
Magnesium
Magnesium
Magnesium
Magnesium

Salts
Carbonate
Hydroxide
Nitrate
Oxide

L
L
L
L
L

L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
N
S
S
L
L
L
L
N
L
L

Magnesium Sulfate
Maleic Acid
Malic Acid (1%)
Mercuric Salts
Mercurous Salts
Mercury
Methanol
Methyl Acetate
Methyl Alcohol (100%)
Methyl Amine (32%)
Methyl Bromide
Methyl Chloride
Methylene Chloride
Methyl Ethyl Ketone
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone
Methyl Isopropyl Ketone
Methyl Sulfate
Methyl Sulfuric Acid (All conc.)
Milk
Mineral Oils
Molasses
Monochloroacetic Acid Ethyl Ester

L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
N
N
N
S
S
S
L
L
L
L
L
L

Arsenic Acid

Arsenic Salts
Barium Salts
Barium Carbonate
Barium Chloride
Barium Cyanide
Barium Sulfide
Battery Fluid, Acid
Beef Tallow Emulsion, Sulfonated
Beer
Benzaldehyde
Benzene
Benzene Sulfonic Acid
Benzoic Acid
Benzyl Alcohol
Benzyl Chloroformate
Bismuth Salts
Bleach Lye (10%)
Black Liquor
Borax Cold Satd
Boric Acid Dilute
Boric Acid Conc.
Bromine, Liquid
Bromine, Water
Bromobenzene
Bromoform
Butadiene
Butane

L
L
L
L
L
L
S
L
L
L
L
S
L
L
L
L
S
L
L
L
L
N
N
N
N
L
L

Monochloroacetic Acid Methyl

Ester
Morpholin
Mowilith D
Naphtha
Napthalene
Nickel Salts
Nicotine Dilute
Nicotinic Acid
Nitric Acid <50%
Nitrobenzene
Nitrotoluene
Octyl Cresol
Oils and Fats
Oleic Acid (All concentrations)
Oleum Conc.
Olive Oil
Orange Extract
Oxalic Acid (All concentrations)
Palmitic Acid
Palm Oil
Paraffin Emulsions
Paraffin Oil
Perchloric Acid (50%)
Perchloroethylene
Petroleum
Petroleum Ether
Phenol (10%)
Phenylhydrazine

Last Revised 5/2/2008

L
L
S
S
L
L
L
L
S
S
L
L
L
N
L
L
L
N
S
L
L
L
N
L
S
S
N
Page 2 of 6

Chemical

Rating

Chemical

Rating

Butanediol (100%)
Butanol
Butyl Acetate
Butyl Alcohol (100%)
Butylene
Butylene Glycol

L
L
L
L
N
L

Phosphoric Acid (All conc.)

Phosphorous Chlorides
Phosphorous (Yellow 100%)
Phosphorous Pentoxide
Photographic Solutions
Phthalic Acid (All concentrations)

L
S
L
L
L
L

Butylene Liquid
Butyl Phenol
Butyric Acid
Calcium Carbonate
Calcium Chloride
Calcium Hydroxide
Calcium Hypochlorite
Calcium Nitrate (50%)
Calcium Sulfate
Camphor Oil
Carbon Bisulfide
Carbon Disulfide
Carbonic Acid (AQ. CO2)
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Tetrachloride
Castor Oil Conc.
Caustic (Aqueous)

N
N
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
N
N
N
L
L
N
L
L

Caustic Potash Sol. (50%)

Caustic Soda Sol. (10%)
Chloral Hydrate
Chloroethanol
Chloric Acid (10%)
Chloracetic Acid
Chlorobenzene
Chloroform
Chloromethane

L
L
L
L
L
L
S
N
N

Chlorosulfonic Acid (100%)

Phthalic Anhydride
Pickling Baths
Sulfuric Acid
Hydrochloric Acid
Picric Acid (1%)
Plating Solutions
Brass
Cadmium
Copper
Gold
Indium
Lead
Nickel
Rhodium
Silver
Tin
Potassium / Aluminum Sulfates
(50%)
Potassium Bichromate
Potassium Borate (10%)
Potassium Bromide
Potassium Chlorate
Potassium Chloride
Potassium Chromate
Potassium Cyanide
Potassium Dichromate (40%)
Potassium Ferri / Ferro Cyanide
Satd
Potassium Fluoride

Chrome Alum Satd

Chromic Acid (50%)
Cider
Citric Acid (All Concentrations)
Clorox Bleach
Coconut Oil Alcohols
Cola Concentrates
Compressed Air Conditioning Oil
Copper Salts
Copper Cyanide
Copper Nitrate
Copper Sulfate
Corn Oil
Cottonseed Oil
Cresol (90%)
Cresylic Acid
Crotonic Aldehyde
Cuprous Chloride Satd
Cyclohexane
Cyclohexanol
Cyclohexanone

L
S
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
S

Potassium Hydroxide
Potassium Iodide
Potassium Nitrate Satd
Potassium Perborate Satd
Potassium Perchlorate
Potassium Permanganate
Potassium Persulfate Satd
Potassium Phosphates
Potassium Sulfate
Propanol
Propionic Acid (50%)
Propyl Alcohol
Propylene Dichloride (100%)
Propylene Glycol
Propylene Oxide
Pyridine
Rayon Coagulation Salts
Rust Inhibitors
Sea Water
Selenic Acid
Sewage

Last Revised 5/2/2008

L
L
L

L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
S
L
L
L
L
L

Page 3 of 6

Chemical

Rating

Detergents, General
Developers, Photographic
Dextrin Satd
Dextrose Satd
Diazo Salts
Dibutyl Ether

L
L
L
L
L
N

Dibutyl Phthalate
Dibutyl Sebacate
Dichloroacetic Acid
Dichloroacetic Acid, Methyl Ester
Dichlorobenzene, Liquid
Dichloroethylene
Diesel Fuel
Diesel Oil
Diethylene Glycol
Diethanolamine
Diethyl Carbonate

Chemical

Rating

S
S
S
L
N
N
S
S
L
S
L

Shortening
Silicic Acid
Silicone Oil
Silver Salts
Silver Nitrate
Soda Solution (All
concentrations)
Soda Ash
Sodium Salts
Sodium Acetate Satd
Sodium Acrylates
Sodium Benzoate
Sodium Bicarbonate
Sodium Bisulfate (10%)
Sodium Bisulfite
Sodium Bromate
Sodium Bromide
Sodium Bromide Dilute Solution

L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
S
L
L

Diglycolic Acid (30%)

Di-Isobutyl Ketone

L
S

Sodium Carbonate
Sodium Chlorate

L
L

Dimethylamine
Dimethyl Formamide
Dinonyl Phthalate
Dioctyl Phthalate
Dioxane
Diphenyl Oxide
Disodium Phosphate
Electrolyte
Emulsions, Photographic
Ethanol
Ether
Ethyl Acetate (100%)
Ethyl Alcohol
Ethyl Butyrate
Ethyl Chloride
Ethyl Ether
Ethylene Chloride
Ethylene Chlorohydrin
Ethylene Diamine
Ethylene Dichloride
Ethylene Glycol
Ethylene Oxide
Fatty Acids
Fatty Alcohol Sulfonate
Ferric Salts
Ferric Sulfate

S
S
N
N
L
N
L
L
L
L
N
S
L
S
N
N
N
L
L
N
L
N
L
L
L
L

Sodium Chloride
Sodium Chlorite
Sodium Chromate
Sodium Disulfite
Sodium Dithionite (10%)
Sodium Ferricyanide
Sodium Ferrocyanide Satd
Sodium Fluoride Satd
Sodium Hydroxide Conc.
Sodium Hypochlorite
Sodium Iodine
Sodium Nitrate
Sodium Oxalate
Sodium Persulfate
Sodium Phosphate
Sodium Silicate
Sodium Sulfate
Sodium Sulfide
Sodium Sulfite
Sodium Sulfonates
Sodium Thiosulfate
Spindle Oil
Stannic Salts
Stannous Salts
Starch Solution Satd
Stearic Acid (All concentrations)

L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
N
L
L
L
L

Ferrous Salts
Ferrous Sulfate
Fertilizer Salts
Fish Solubles
Fluoboric Acid
Fluosilicic Acid (All concentrations)

L
L
L
L
L
L

Succinic Acid
Sugar Solutions
Glucose
Lactose
Sucrose, Etc.
Sulfur

L
L
L
L
L

Formaldehyde (40%)

Sulfuric Acid (98%)

Formamide
Formic Acid (All concentrations)
Fruit Pulp

L
L
L

Sulfuric Acid, Fuming

Sulfurous Acid
Sulfuryl Chloride

N
L
N

Last Revised 5/2/2008

Page 4 of 6

Chemical

Rating

Chemical

Rating

Fuel Oil
Furfural (100%)
Furfuryl Alcohol
Gallic Acid Satd
Gasoline
Gasohol
Gelatine
Gin
Gluconic Acid (All concentrations)

L
L
N
L
L
L
L
L
L

Tallow
Tannic Acid
Tanning Extracts
Tartaric Acid Satd
Tetrachloroethane
Tetrachloroethylene
Tetraethyl Lead
Tetrahydrofurane
Tetrahydronaphthalene

L
L
L
L
N
N
L
N
N

Glucose
Glycerine
Glycol
Glycol Ethers
Glycolic Acid (All conc.)

L
L
L
L
L

Thionyl Chloride
Tin Salts
Titanium Salts
Toluene
Toluene Sulfonic Acid (All conc.)

N
L
S
S
S

Grape Sugar Satd Aq.

Heptane
Hexane
Hexanol Tert
Hydrazine (35%)
Hydrazine Hydrate
Hydrazine Hydrochloride
Hydrosulfite (10%)
Hydroxylamine Sulfate
Hydriodic Acid (All conc.)
Hydrobromic Acid (50%)
Hydrocycanic Acid Satd
Hydrochloric Acid (All conc.)
Hydrofluoric Acid (All conc.)
Hydrofluorosilicic Acid (All conc.)

L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L

Transformer Oil
Tributylphosphate
Trichloroacetic Acid
Trichloroethane
Trichloroethylene
Tricresyl Phosphate
Triethanolamine
Trioctyl Phosphate
Trisodium Phosphate Satd
Turpentine Oil
Urea
Urine
Vegetable Oils
Vinegar
Vanilla Extract
Wax Alcohol
Wetting Agents
Whiskey
White Acid (75%)
Wine
Xylene
Yeast
Zinc Salts
Zinc Sulfate

L
L
S
N
N
L
L
N
L
N
L
L
L
L
L
N
L
L
L
L
N
L
L
L

KEY:
L = Containers should be suitable for long term storage of the substances, under the conditions specified.
S = These substances may adversely affect the polyethylene. New Pig Corporation containers may be suitable for
storage of up to one year. The user should perform qualification tests before or during usage of the container.

N = These substances aggressively attack polyethylene or have vapor pressures incompatible with the containers.
Do not use polyethylene containers in these applications.
Note: Use judgment as to use of product. Is it for short or long term use when using L, S, or N? (Example: Drum
Funnel is normally for short term use.)

Last Revised 5/2/2008

Page 5 of 6

For additional assistance, please contact New Pig Technical Services at

1-800-HOT-HOGS (468-4647).

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If you're not happy with a product, for any reason, we'll refund every penny of your purchase price.
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One Pork Avenue, Tipton, PA 16684-0304 1-800-HOT HOGS (468-4647) Fax: 1-800-621-PIGS (7447)
Email: hothogs@newpig.com Web: newpig.com
New Pig Corporation. All rights reserved.

Last Revised 5/2/2008

Page 6 of 6