Chemical Compatibility Guide

ARO is pleased to present this selection guide to provide a convenient and informative reference tool for diaphragm pump and piston pump selection. This guide was compiled from information provided by material suppliers and manufacturers.

A = Excellent, B = Good, C = Fair to Poor, D = Not recommended

X or Brackets around a rating letter indicate that no data is available, but the ratings are made on the basis of exposure test in similar chemical groups.

The chemical compatibility listings are intended as a guide only.We assume no liability for the accuracy of their use. The usershould test under their own operating conditions to determine thesuitability of any compound and material in a particular application.

Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs) vs Thermosetting Rubber Diaphragms

ARO is moving toward replacement of traditional thermoset rubberdiaphragms with thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). Examples of TPEsinclude Santoprene®, Nitrile (TPE) and Hytrel®.TPEs are manufactured using a plastic injection molding process wherethe resin, or diaphragm material, is melted and injected into a moldto produce the diaphragm. The advantages of this process include:


Features
Benefits
Diaphragm is molded to optimum shape
Excellent flex life
Homogenous part
No delamination failures
High performance resins
Chemical


Chemical Compatibility

Laboratory testing has shown:

Santoprene® outperformed all rubber diaphragms exceptBuna in the mild abrasive fluids. The Geolast diaphragm had equivalentlife to the Buna diaphragms and was superior to the other rubberscompounds. PTFE with the Santoprene® backer exhibited thebest flex life of all diaphragms during the test series.

Traditional thermoset includes Buna-N (TS), EPR, Neoprene®, Viton®

Thermosets diaphragms are constructed by sandwiching (laminating) alayer of fabric reinforcement between two sheets of unvulcanizedrubber. These are placed in a mold and compressed under heat andpressure to bond and vulcanize the rubber.

Limitations of the process include: Results
Inclusion of fabric limits design flexibility to achieve optimum diaphragm shape Lower flex life
Incomplete bonding can occur Delamination
Time/Labor intensive Expensive
Inconsistent quality Inconsistent life
“Wicking” of fabric Delamination / Leakage

Thermoplastic Compounds (TPE)

Thermoplastic elastomeric (TPE) diaphragms are manufactured using aninjection molding process. The process allows the part to be molded inthe shape and configuration required of the diaphragm to provideexcellent performance and life. The TPE resins used to manufacture thediaphragms exhibit excellent dimensional and tensile characteristicseliminating the fabric reinforcement. The following TPEs are used inARO diaphragm pumps.

Rating A = Excellent B = Good C = Fair D = Poor
Compound
Color Code
Temperature Limits**
Flex Life
Abrasion Resistance Balls (Seats)
Acid Service
Caustic Service
Solvents (Ketones/Acetates
Hydrocarbons Aromatic/Chlorinated
Petroleum/Oils
TPE
Santoprene (Backer)
Tan (Green)
-40˚ to 225˚F / -40˚ to 107˚C
A
A
A
A
B
D
D
Hytrel*
Cream
-20˚ to 180˚F / -29˚ to 82˚C
A
A
C
B
B
C
A
Urethane*
Clear
-10˚ to 150˚F / -23˚ to 52˚C
A
A
D
D
D
D
A
PTFE
White
40˚ to 225˚F / 4˚ to 107˚C
A
C
A
A
A
A
A
Rubber
Neoprene
Green
0˚ to 200˚F / -18˚ to 93˚C
B
B
C
C
D
D
B
Nitrile (TS) (BUNA-N)
Red
10˚ to 180˚F / -12˚ to 82˚C
B
B
B
C
C
C
A
Viton
Yellow
-40˚ to 350˚F / -40˚ to 177˚C
C
B
A
A
B
A
A
EPR/EPDM
Blue
-60˚ to 280˚F / -51˚ to 138˚C
B
B
B
A
B
D
D

Thermoset (TS)

These materials are manufactured from natural rubber and man madeadditives to enhance resistance to various fluids. Diaphragms aremanufactured using a compression molding process. A nylon fabric meshis molded in the diaphragm to add strength to the compound.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

PTFE is the most chemically inert man-made compound known. Newdiaphragm design and material processing have significantly improvedflex life, which is now equivalent to or exceeding rubber compounds. Abacker diaphragm is used to provide additional support.


* Not Available in all models
**Maximum temperaturelimits are based on mechanical stress only. Certain chemicals cansignificantly reduce the maximum safe operating temperature.

Halogenated Solvents Explosion Hazard

Pump models containing aluminum wetted parts cannot be used with111.-Trichloroethylene, Methylene Chloride, or other HalogenatedHydrocarbon solvents that react and explode. Although manufacturers ofthose solvents typically add inhibitors to prevent a reaction, thereis no assurance that they will prevent a reaction under allconditions. Special caution should be exercised when handlingreclaimed or used solvents since the inhibitors are often degraded.Only Stainless Steel, Acetal, or PVDF pumps should be used for thesematerials. Other examples of Halogenated Hydrocarbon Solvents (H.H.C.)include, but are not limited to, the following: Trichloroethane,Methyl Chloride, Carbon Tetrachloride, and Chloroform Dichlorethylene.

Wet End Material Compatibility Guide

Non-Metallics

Polypropylene – A general purpose low cost material havingbroad chemical resistance for use in a wide variety of chemical applications.

Kynar (PVDF) – A high performance fluorpolymer resin withexcellent chemical resistance properties. Used for pumping aggressivechemicals at elevated temperature. Material also has excellentmechanical properties.

Groundable Acetal – An excellent material for use in solventtransfer applications. The material incorporates metallic fibers inthe resin to render the material conductive to eliminate static chargebuild up and potential static discharge.

Rating
A = Excellent | B = Good | C = Fair | D = Poor

Non-Metallic Wet End Materials
Temperatue Limits**
Acid Service
Caustic Service
Solvents (Ketones/Acetates
Hydrocarbons Aromatic/Chlorinated
Polypropylene
+32˚ to 175˚F
A
A
NR
NR
PVDF
+10˚ to 200˚F
A
A
*
*
Groundable Acetal
-20˚ to 180˚F
D
D
A
A

*Check chemicalcompatibility guide for part specific solvent or hydrocarbon.
**Maximum temperature is based on mechanical stress only. Certainchemicals can significantly reduce maximum safe operating temperature.