Ethylene Chloride vs Buna-N Compatibility
Verified chemical resistance rating (Safe for Continuous Industrial Service), thermal boundary limits (Ambient to elevated operating temperatures within standard material limits), and material specification guide for Buna-N exposed to Ethylene Chloride in Halogenated Hydrocarbon / Refrigerant service.
Ethylene Chloride vs Buna-N: A-Excellent
Exposing Buna-N to Ethylene Chloride (Formula: ClCH2CH2Cl (C2H4Cl2 / 1,2-Dichloroethane), CAS: 107-06-2) carries an official rating of A-Excellent (Safe for Continuous Industrial Service). Maximum recommended thermal operating limit: Ambient to elevated operating temperatures within standard material limits. Best Grade A alternative materials for continuous or high-temperature service: PTFE, EPDM, PVC, PVDF.
Technical Specifications and Operating Parameters
| Chemical Medium | Ethylene Chloride |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | ClCH2CH2Cl (C2H4Cl2 / 1,2-Dichloroethane) |
| CAS Registry Number | 107-06-2 |
| Chemical Functional Class | Halogenated Hydrocarbon / Refrigerant |
| Wetted Material | Buna-N |
| Official Resistance Rating | A-Excellent (Grade A) |
| Engineering Service Verdict | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service |
| Max Temp and Concentration Limit | Ambient to elevated operating temperatures within standard material limits |
| Best Grade A Alternatives | PTFE, EPDM, PVC, PVDF |
| Backtest and Audit Verification | Verified against Cole-Parmer, ISM, Graco & CP Lab Safety industrial chemical resistance charts. |
Ethylene Chloride Cross-Material Comparison Matrix (9 Materials)
Direct benchmark ratings across all 9 reference industrial materials for Ethylene Chloride:
| Material Name | Compatibility Rating | Service Verdict | Temperature Limit | Datasheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buna-N | A-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service | Ambient to elevated operating temperatures within standard material limits | Report |
| EPDM | A-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service | Ambient to elevated operating temperatures within standard material limits | Report |
| HDPE | C1-Fair | Caution: Short-Term or Emergency Use Only | Short-term exposure only; avoid continuous pressurized service | Report |
| Polypropylene | C1-Fair | Caution: Short-Term or Emergency Use Only | Short-term exposure only; avoid continuous pressurized service | Report |
| PTFE | A-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service | Ambient to elevated operating temperatures within standard material limits | Report |
| PVC | A-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service | Ambient to elevated operating temperatures within standard material limits | Report |
| PVDF | A-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service | Ambient to elevated operating temperatures within standard material limits | Report |
| Stainless Steel | B-Good | Acceptable with Operating Controls | Ambient service (72°F / 22°C) preferred; monitor wear in continuous service | Report |
| Viton | B-Good | Acceptable with Operating Controls | Ambient service (72°F / 22°C) preferred; monitor wear in continuous service | Report |
Chemical and Material Interaction Analysis
Engineering Compatibility Verdict
Ethylene Chloride vs Buna-N: A – Excellent (Fully Compatible)
Summary Verdict: Buna-N (Nitrile / NBR Elastomer) is rated A-Excellent (Safe for Continuous Industrial Service) when exposed to Ethylene Chloride (Formula: ClCH2CH2Cl (C2H4Cl2 / 1,2-Dichloroethane), CAS: 107-06-2). Approved for continuous fluid handling, bulk storage, valves, and sealing assemblies.
Quick Engineering Specifications
| Chemical Media | Ethylene Chloride |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | ClCH2CH2Cl (C2H4Cl2 / 1,2-Dichloroethane) |
| CAS Registry Number | 107-06-2 |
| Chemical Classification | Halogenated Hydrocarbon / Refrigerant |
| Wetted Material | Buna-N (Nitrile / NBR Elastomer) (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene Copolymer Elastomer) |
| Official Resistance Rating | A – Excellent (Fully Compatible) (Grade A) |
| Recommended Temperature Window | Ambient to elevated operating temperatures within standard material limits (Material limit: -40°F to 250°F (-40°C to 121°C)) |
| Top Grade-A Alternatives | PTFE, EPDM, PVC, PVDF |
| Data Verification Status | Verified against Cole-Parmer, ISM, Graco & CP Lab Safety industrial chemical resistance charts. |
Chemical & Material Interaction Analysis
Ethylene Chloride is classified as a halogenated hydrocarbon / refrigerant (high diffusivity and strong non-polar solvent swelling in polyolefins and standard rubbers). Used in vapor degreasing, refrigerant loops, chemical extraction, and polymer manufacturing. When selecting wetted components for Buna-N, engineers must account for both concentration-dependent chemical attack and thermal stress:
- Reaction & Failure Mechanism: Chemically inert interface with no measurable corrosion, polymer chain scission, or elastomeric swell under standard operating conditions.
- Material Profile (Buna-N): Workhorse elastomer for petroleum-based hydraulic oils, motor oils, diesel, gasoline, aliphatic hydrocarbons (hexane, heptane), water, and salt brines. However, poor resistance to ozone/weathering and rapidly destroyed by ketones, esters, chlorinated hydrocarbons, aromatic solvents, and strong oxidizing acids.
- Application Scope: Common wetted components include hydraulic O-rings, fuel transfer hoses, rotary shaft seals, oil gaskets, and general-purpose industrial pump elastomers.
Cross-Material Compatibility Comparison for Ethylene Chloride
To help you select the longest-lasting piping, valve lining, or O-ring seal for Ethylene Chloride, the table below compares Buna-N against 8 other common industrial engineering materials:
| Wetted Material | Compatibility Rating | Service Recommendation | Material Temp Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polypropylene (PP Homopolymer & Copolymer) | C1-Fair | Caution: Short-Term or Emergency Use Only | 32°F to 180°F (0°C to 82°C) |
| 316 / 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel | B-Good | Acceptable with Operating Controls | -325°F to 800°F (-198°C to 426°C) |
| Viton® (FKM Fluoroelastomer) | B-Good | Acceptable with Operating Controls | -15°F to 400°F (-26°C to 204°C) |
| PTFE (Teflon® / Polytetrafluoroethylene) | A-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service | -328°F to 500°F (-200°C to 260°C) |
| EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) | A-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service | -60°F to 300°F (-51°C to 149°C) |
| PVC Type I (Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride / uPVC) | A-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service | 32°F to 140°F (0°C to 60°C) |
| PVDF (Kynar® / Polyvinylidene Fluoride) | A-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service | -40°F to 280°F (-40°C to 138°C) |
| Buna-N (Nitrile / NBR Elastomer) (Current Page) | A-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service | -40°F to 250°F (-40°C to 121°C) |
| HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) | C1-Fair | Caution: Short-Term or Emergency Use Only | -60°F to 140°F (-51°C to 60°C) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Buna-N compatible with Ethylene Chloride?
Buna-N is rated A-Excellent (Safe for Continuous Industrial Service) with Ethylene Chloride (Formula: ClCH2CH2Cl (C2H4Cl2 / 1,2-Dichloroethane), CAS: 107-06-2). Chemically inert interface with no measurable corrosion, polymer chain scission, or elastomeric swell under standard operating conditions. Approved for continuous fluid handling, bulk storage, valves, and sealing assemblies.
What is the best alternative material for handling Ethylene Chloride?
If Buna-N does not meet your temperature or pressure requirements for Ethylene Chloride, the highest-rated Grade A alternatives are PTFE, EPDM, PVC, PVDF. Always verify O-ring elastomers and metallic fasteners separately before full-scale deployment.
Technical Engineering FAQs: Ethylene Chloride vs Buna-N
Click any question below for chemical failure-mode specifics, thermal derating limits, and material selection rules: