Sulfuric Acid (<10%) vs Buna-N Compatibility
Verified chemical resistance rating (Acceptable with Operating Controls), thermal boundary limits (Ambient service (72°F / 22°C) preferred; monitor wear in continuous service), and material specification guide for Buna-N exposed to Sulfuric Acid (<10%) in Strong Oxidizing / Mineral Acid service.
Sulfuric Acid (<10%) vs Buna-N: B-Good
Exposing Buna-N to Sulfuric Acid (<10%) (Formula: H2SO4 (<10% Dilute aq.), CAS: 7664-93-9) carries an official rating of B-Good (Acceptable with Operating Controls). Maximum recommended thermal operating limit: Ambient service (72°F / 22°C) preferred; monitor wear in continuous service. Best Grade A alternative materials for continuous or high-temperature service: Polypropylene, Viton, PTFE, PVC.
Technical Specifications and Operating Parameters
| Chemical Medium | Sulfuric Acid (<10%) |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | H2SO4 (<10% Dilute aq.) |
| CAS Registry Number | 7664-93-9 |
| Chemical Functional Class | Strong Oxidizing / Mineral Acid |
| Wetted Material | Buna-N |
| Official Resistance Rating | B-Good (Grade B) |
| Engineering Service Verdict | Acceptable with Operating Controls |
| Max Temp and Concentration Limit | Ambient service (72°F / 22°C) preferred; monitor wear in continuous service |
| Best Grade A Alternatives | Polypropylene, Viton, PTFE, PVC |
| Backtest and Audit Verification | Verified against Cole-Parmer, ISM, Graco & CP Lab Safety industrial chemical resistance charts. |
Sulfuric Acid (<10%) Cross-Material Comparison Matrix (9 Materials)
Direct benchmark ratings across all 9 reference industrial materials for Sulfuric Acid (<10%):
| Material Name | Compatibility Rating | Service Verdict | Temperature Limit | Datasheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buna-N | B-Good | Acceptable with Operating Controls | Ambient service (72°F / 22°C) preferred; monitor wear in continuous service | Report |
| EPDM | B-Good | Acceptable with Operating Controls | Ambient service (72°F / 22°C) preferred; monitor wear in continuous service | Report |
| HDPE | A-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service | Ambient to elevated operating temperatures within standard material limits | Report |
| Polypropylene | A2-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Ambient Service | Verified up to 72°F (22°C); conduct thermal de-rating above 100°F (38°C) | 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 | D-Severe Effect | Incompatible — Immediate Failure Risk | Not recommended at any temperature or concentration | Report |
| Viton | A-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service | Ambient to elevated operating temperatures within standard material limits | Report |
Chemical and Material Interaction Analysis
Engineering Compatibility Verdict
Sulfuric Acid (<10%) vs Buna-N: B – Good (Minor Effect / Conditional)
Summary Verdict: Buna-N (Nitrile / NBR Elastomer) is rated B-Good (Acceptable with Operating Controls) when exposed to Sulfuric Acid (<10%) (Formula: H2SO4 (<10% Dilute aq.), CAS: 7664-93-9). Acceptable for low-pressure piping, static seals, and scheduled-maintenance components. Implement periodic visual and dimensional inspection.
Quick Engineering Specifications
| Chemical Media | Sulfuric Acid (<10%) |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | H2SO4 (<10% Dilute aq.) |
| CAS Registry Number | 7664-93-9 |
| Chemical Classification | Strong Oxidizing / Mineral Acid |
| Wetted Material | Buna-N (Nitrile / NBR Elastomer) (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene Copolymer Elastomer) |
| Official Resistance Rating | B – Good (Minor Effect / Conditional) (Grade B) |
| Recommended Temperature Window | Ambient service (72°F / 22°C) preferred; monitor wear in continuous service (Material limit: -40°F to 250°F (-40°C to 121°C)) |
| Top Grade-A Alternatives | Polypropylene, Viton, PTFE, PVC |
| Data Verification Status | Verified against Cole-Parmer, ISM, Graco & CP Lab Safety industrial chemical resistance charts. |
Chemical & Material Interaction Analysis
Sulfuric Acid (<10%) is classified as a strong oxidizing / mineral acid (corrosive proton attack combined with strong oxidative potential). Used in chemical synthesis, metal pickling, pH neutralization, and industrial etching. When selecting wetted components for Buna-N, engineers must account for both concentration-dependent chemical attack and thermal stress:
- Reaction & Failure Mechanism: Exhibits minor chemical interaction—such as slight discoloration, mild dimensional swell, or slow uniform surface etching—that does not immediately compromise structural integrity.
- 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 Sulfuric Acid (<10%)
To help you select the longest-lasting piping, valve lining, or O-ring seal for Sulfuric Acid (<10%), 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) | A2-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Ambient Service | 32°F to 180°F (0°C to 82°C) |
| 316 / 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel | D-Severe Effect | Incompatible — Immediate Failure Risk | -325°F to 800°F (-198°C to 426°C) |
| Viton® (FKM Fluoroelastomer) | A-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service | -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) | B-Good | Acceptable with Operating Controls | -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) | B-Good | Acceptable with Operating Controls | -40°F to 250°F (-40°C to 121°C) |
| HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) | A-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service | -60°F to 140°F (-51°C to 60°C) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Buna-N compatible with Sulfuric Acid (<10%)?
Buna-N is rated B-Good (Acceptable with Operating Controls) with Sulfuric Acid (<10%) (Formula: H2SO4 (<10% Dilute aq.), CAS: 7664-93-9). Exhibits minor chemical interaction—such as slight discoloration, mild dimensional swell, or slow uniform surface etching—that does not immediately compromise structural integrity. Acceptable for low-pressure piping, static seals, and scheduled-maintenance components. Implement periodic visual and dimensional inspection.
What is the best alternative material for handling Sulfuric Acid (<10%)?
If Buna-N does not meet your temperature or pressure requirements for Sulfuric Acid (<10%), the highest-rated Grade A alternatives are Polypropylene, Viton, PTFE, PVC. Always verify O-ring elastomers and metallic fasteners separately before full-scale deployment.
Technical Engineering FAQs: Sulfuric Acid (<10%) vs Buna-N
Click any question below for chemical failure-mode specifics, thermal derating limits, and material selection rules: