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 below at two concentrations) and dimensional and chemical stability simplify garment care.

Tenacity retention: Vectran^™ HT 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	HCI	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	10,000	90	–	69
		10	50	100	98	–	86
		10	50	10,000	82	–	12
		10	70	10	94	–	79
		10	70	100	93	–	19
		10	100	10	96	–	40
Nitric Acid	NHO3	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	NaOH	10	20	100	97	–	68
(Caustic Soda)		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		100	20	100	96	–	95
Ether		100	20	100	98	–	95
Ethyl Acetate		100	20	100	98	–	96
Toluene	C6H6CH3	100	20	100	100	100	96
		100	20	10,000	98	–	99
Methanol	CH3Ch2OH	100	20	100	96	–	94
Perchloroethylene		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	100	67
Sodium Chloride	NaCI	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	ZnCI2	1	50	100	98	99	99
		1	50	10,000	95	99	97
Oils
Mineral Oil		100	20	100	100	100	100
		100	20	10,000	100	–	100