Sulfuric Acid — Material Compatibility

Direct answer: Sulfuric Acid compatibility data spans 3 real published ratings across the concentration/temperature conditions tested, plus 3 additional material datasets below (seal, pump, and/or tube materials). Materials rated Excellent in at least one tested condition: Polypropylene (PP), PVDF, PFA, PTFE. Materials that show corrosion in at least one tested condition: Stainless Steel 316 — do not assume compatibility across all concentrations of this chemical.

Pipe, Tank & Wetted Material Compatibility

ConcentrationTemp (°F)Temp (°C)PVCPolypropylene (PP)PVDFPFAPTFEStainless Steel 316
<10%10440GoodExcellentExcellentExcellentExcellentGood
<70%10440GoodGoodExcellentExcellentExcellentCorroded
<96%10440No rating publishedFairExcellentExcellentExcellentCorroded

Legend: E = Excellent · G = Good · F = Fair · C = Corroded · (blank) = No rating published for this chemical/concentration/temperature combination — treat as unknown, not safe · A = Rating code not defined in the source vendor legend (appears once, Ammonium Sulfate/316SS) — shown as-is, not interpreted

Elastomer Seal Material Compatibility

VariantFFKMFKM-ETPTFE/PFKMHNBR
—GoodGoodGoodGoodFair

Ratings: 1 = Good, 2 = Fair, 3 = Poor, 4 = Not Recommended. Full dataset: Elastomer Seal Material Compatibility (2,110 chemicals).

Centrifugal Pump Wetted-End Material — Max Temperature (°F)

VariantSp. Gr.CPVCGlass-Filled PPPVDFRyton PPSETFEPTFE316 SSHastelloy C-276TitaniumCarbonCeramicSilicon CarbideEPDMFKMFEP
10%1.07212212287250300500NR16570640500500176212400
20%1.14212180287250300500NR165NR640500500140212400
3%1.03250212287250300500NR165140340500500140212400
33%1.24212176287250300500NR60NR640500500176212400
50%1.4212176287250300500NR165NR640500500176212400
60%1.5212176287250300500NR165NR640500500176176400
70%1.61185NR257220300500NR90NR640500500176176400
80%1.73185NR257220300500NR180NR340500500140158400
85%1.78160NR212220300500NR180NR340500500104158400
90%1.81150NR212220300500NR210NR30050050070158400
93%1.83150NR200220300500NR210NR16050050070158400
95%1.83170NR180220300500NR210NR160500500NR158400
96%1.84130NR175220300500NR210NR220500500NR158400
98%1.84104NR140220300500NR210NR220500500NR158400
100%1.83NRNRNR220300500125350NRNR500500NR158400
Fuming1.94NRNRNR350300500NDNDNDND500500NR140400

🔥 = flammable (flashpoint ≤140°F) — only flammable-rated pump materials should be used. "NR" = not recommended at any temperature, "ND" = no data published. Full dataset: Centrifugal Pump Material Resistance (280 chemicals).

Peristaltic Pump Tube Compatibility

VariantFlex-A-Prene®Flex-A-Chem®Flex-A-Thane®
10% in wExcellentExcellentExcellent
30% in wExcellentExcellentNot Recommended
95-98% in wNot RecommendedExcellentNot Recommended

Based on 28-day room-temperature (73°F) immersion testing. Full dataset: Peristaltic Pump Tube Compatibility (368 chemicals).

Source: Flowline chemical compatibility chart, real published vendor data, compiled by LibertyCES. Blank ratings mean no rating was published for that combination — treat as unknown, not safe. This data is a screening reference, not a final engineering approval; confirm with a manufacturer-specific data sheet before specifying equipment.

Equipment LibertyCES Supplies for Acids Service

LibertyCES specifies and supplies the pumps, valves, tanks, piping, and instrumentation that store, transfer, meter, and contain sulfuric acid and other acids — never the chemical itself, always the equipment engineered to handle it.

Reviewed by James Riggins, Founder, LibertyCES — 30+ years specifying industrial fluid-handling equipment. Request a free spec review →

Full LibertyCES Chemical Compatibility Chart (551 rows) →
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Frequently Asked Questions

What material is best for Sulfuric Acid?

Rated Excellent in at least one tested concentration/temperature condition: Polypropylene (PP), PVDF, PFA, PTFE. Always confirm against the exact concentration and temperature in your application — compatibility can shift across the range.

Is Sulfuric Acid compatible with PVDF?

See the PVDF column in the table below for the specific concentration/temperature ratings published for Sulfuric Acid.

What equipment does LibertyCES supply for Sulfuric Acid service?

LibertyCES specifies pumps, valves, tanks, piping, and containment equipment for acids service, including Sulfuric Acid. See the equipment guides linked below, or request a free spec review.

Source: Liberty Chemical Equipment & Supply, Inc. (LibertyCES) — engineering data compiled and reviewed by James Riggins, Founder, LibertyCES, from real vendor and field-verified sources. For a free spec review, call James at (559) 395-5500 or email [email protected] / [email protected]. Website: libertyces.com.