Triethylene Glycol (TEG) 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 Triethylene Glycol (TEG) in Alcohol / Glycol / Polyol service.
Triethylene Glycol (TEG) vs Buna-N: A-Excellent
Exposing Buna-N to Triethylene Glycol (TEG) (Formula: HOCH2CH2OCH2CH2OCH2CH2OH (C6H14O4), CAS: 112-27-6) 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: Polypropylene, Stainless Steel, Viton, PTFE.
Technical Specifications and Operating Parameters
| Chemical Medium | Triethylene Glycol (TEG) |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | HOCH2CH2OCH2CH2OCH2CH2OH (C6H14O4) |
| CAS Registry Number | 112-27-6 |
| Chemical Functional Class | Alcohol / Glycol / Polyol |
| 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 | Polypropylene, Stainless Steel, Viton, PTFE |
| Backtest and Audit Verification | Verified against Cole-Parmer, ISM, Graco & CP Lab Safety industrial chemical resistance charts. |
Triethylene Glycol (TEG) Cross-Material Comparison Matrix (9 Materials)
Direct benchmark ratings across all 9 reference industrial materials for Triethylene Glycol (TEG):
| 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 | A-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service | Ambient to elevated operating temperatures within standard material limits | Report |
| Polypropylene | A-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service | Ambient to elevated operating temperatures within standard material limits | 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 | A-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service | Ambient to elevated operating temperatures within standard material limits | 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
Triethylene Glycol (TEG) 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 Triethylene Glycol (TEG) (Formula: HOCH2CH2OCH2CH2OCH2CH2OH (C6H14O4), CAS: 112-27-6). Approved for continuous fluid handling, bulk storage, valves, and sealing assemblies.
Quick Engineering Specifications
| Chemical Media | Triethylene Glycol (TEG) |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | HOCH2CH2OCH2CH2OCH2CH2OH (C6H14O4) |
| CAS Registry Number | 112-27-6 |
| Chemical Classification | Alcohol / Glycol / Polyol |
| 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 | Polypropylene, Stainless Steel, Viton, PTFE |
| Data Verification Status | Verified against Cole-Parmer, ISM, Graco & CP Lab Safety industrial chemical resistance charts. |
Chemical & Material Interaction Analysis
Triethylene Glycol (TEG) is classified as an alcohol / glycol / polyol (hydrogen-bonding solvent profile; generally mild on polyolefins and metals). Used in heat-transfer loops, de-icing, solvent formulation, and pharmaceutical processing. 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 Triethylene Glycol (TEG)
To help you select the longest-lasting piping, valve lining, or O-ring seal for Triethylene Glycol (TEG), 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) | A-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service | 32°F to 180°F (0°C to 82°C) |
| 316 / 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel | A-Excellent | Safe for Continuous Industrial Service | -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) | 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) | 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 Triethylene Glycol (TEG)?
Buna-N is rated A-Excellent (Safe for Continuous Industrial Service) with Triethylene Glycol (TEG) (Formula: HOCH2CH2OCH2CH2OCH2CH2OH (C6H14O4), CAS: 112-27-6). 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 Triethylene Glycol (TEG)?
If Buna-N does not meet your temperature or pressure requirements for Triethylene Glycol (TEG), the highest-rated Grade A alternatives are Polypropylene, Stainless Steel, Viton, PTFE. Always verify O-ring elastomers and metallic fasteners separately before full-scale deployment.
Technical Engineering FAQs: Triethylene Glycol (TEG) vs Buna-N
Click any question below for chemical failure-mode specifics, thermal derating limits, and material selection rules: