Instructions: Scroll vertically to the desired decontaminating agent, then follow the row horizontally to the material intended for decontamination.
The letter/color combination indicates the effectiveness of the agent-material combination, as outlined in the "Letter Key" below.
Hover the cursor over a material for a general description of where it is found.
Hover over asterisks to reveal additional considerations for an agent/material combination.
Click on the names of materials and agents for additional reference information.

Material Compatibility Matrix Materials (Across):
Decontaminating Agents(Down):
ABS Plastic

Commonly used in printers, keyboard keys,
plastic coverings, pipe fittings, etc.

Acetal

Commonly used in gear wheels, eyeglasses,
ball bearings, locking systems, etc.

Acrylic (PMMA)

Shatter-resistant alternative to glass,
used in windows, screens, etc.

Aluminum

Used in foils, electronics, cans, framing materials, etc.

Brass

Used in locks, bearings, doorknobs, valves, etc.

Bronze

Used in bushings and bearings with low metal-on-metal friction

Nitrile

Used in gloves, disposable plastics, moulded goods,
adhesves, sealants, etc.

Carbon Graphite

Used in many paints, pencils, and some lubricants

Carbon Steel

Used in crankshafts, gears and machinery parts

Carpenter 20

Used in equipment with high corrosive resistance, such as manufacturing
for chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and solvents

Cast Iron

Used in engineering materials such as pipes, machinery,
and automotive components

Ceramic Al203

Used in high temperature electrical insulators

Ceramic Magnet

Used in power tool motors, magnetic separation equipment,
and vehicle motors

FFKM

Used in o-rings and seals in high temperature environments

Copper

Used in electrical equipment such as wiring and motors

CPVC

Used in potable water distribution, corrosive fluid handling,
and fire suppression systems.

EPDM

Used as seals in automotive and construction industries

Epoxy

Used as a sealant and an adhesive in countertops,
benchtops and other materials

FKM

Used in o-rings, seals, and gaskets for equipment at high temperatures

Hastelloy-C

Used as a corrosion-resistant structural metal
for chemical processing equipment

Hypalon

Used as an insulation and jacketing material for older electrial cables,
discontinued production in 2009.

Hytrel

Used as a thermoplastic in high-temperature applications

Kalrez

Used as a sealant in low temperature and harsh-chemical applications

Kel-F

Commonly used in aerospace applications, cryogenics,
valves, films for food packaging, etc.

HDPE

Used in bottles, large containers, pipe systems, plastic bins, etc.

LDPE

Used in wash bottles, pipette washing equipment, general
purpose tubing, bags, small tanks, etc.

Natural Rubber

Used in anti-vibration mounts, drive couplings, springs,
bearings, adhesives, rubber bands, etc.

Neoprene

Used in synthetic rubber gloves, laptop sleeves,
insulation, sealants, etc.

NORYL

Used in electrical housings, structural components,
and electronic components

Nylon

Used in filtration meshes, fabrics, fibers, and molded plastics

Polycarbonate

Used in rigid storage materials and other stiff plastics

Polyetherether Ketone

Used in bearings, piston parts, pumps, high-performance
liquid chromatography columns, etc.

Polypropylene

Used in flexible plastics, fibers, bags, and
some waterproof materials

Polyurethane

Used in flexible foam seating, rigid foam insulation panels,
foam seals, gaskets, etc.

PPS

Used as filter fabric in coal boilers, papermaking felts,
electrical insulation, film capacitors, etc.

PTFE

Used in gaskets at cryogenic temperatures, thread seals,
and as cable insulation

PVC

Used in window frames, piping, medical devices,
blood storage bags, etc.

PVDF

Used commonly in chemical tank liners and
semiconductor equipment components

Silicone

Used in lubricating greases, electrical wire insulation,
biomedical implants, etc.

304 Stainless Steel

Used in chemical processing equipment for food, dairy, and
beverage industries. Also used in heat exchangers.

316 Stainless Steel

Used in chemical and pulp handling equipment, photographic
equipment, food/beverage processing equipment, etc.

Titanium

Used commonly in medical implants, artificial joints, and prosthetic devices.
Titanium oxide is used frequently in paints as a pigment.

Tygon

Used as tubing for incubators and bunsen burners. Also used
for vacuum filtration systems and peristaltic pumps.

Viton

Used as a sealing material, hoses, tubing, wearable devices, etc.

10% Hydrogen Peroxide A D C A D
B*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
D C D C C A A B D A A
C*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A A D D A A A A B D
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
C*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
A A B A A
A*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A A
B**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
B A B A
Calcium Hydroxide (Slaked lime, Lye), 10%
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
D A
C*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
D D A A B B A A A B D
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
A
A*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A A A
B*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A A A
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
A A
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
D A
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
D A A B
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
A
B*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
B A
B**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
A
Chlorine Dioxide (8% aqueous solution) B ? A D D D D ? ? ? D ? ? ? D A D ? ? A D D ? ? C C D D ? D ? ? C D ? A A A B D C A C B
Chlorine Dioxide Gas B ? A D D D D ? ? ? D ? ? ? D A D ? ? A ? D ? ? C C D D ? D ? ? C ? ? A A A B D C A C B
Ethanol
B*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
D B A A C A B A B A A A A B A
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
B A A A A A A B A A
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
A*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
B**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
A A D A B A A B A A A C A
Ethylene Oxide Gas D D A D D C D A C A D ? ? C D
C*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
C D D A D A A A B A D D
A*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
C*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A D D D A D A D B B ? ? D
Formaldehyde/Paraformaldehyde Gas
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
B B A A B A D A B ? A A
B**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
A
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
A B B B A A A D B
B*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A A
A*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A A C A A A A ?
A*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A B ? A
Formaldehyde/Paraformaldehyde Solutions
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
B B A A B A D A B ? A A
B**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
A
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
A B B B A A A D B
B*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A A
A*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A A C A A A A ?
A*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A B ? A
Iodoform ? ? ? ? ? ? D ? ? A ? ? ? ? B ? A ? ? D ? ? ? ? ? ? B A ? ? ? ? ? ? D C A C ? A A B C ?
Methyl Bromide D D ? D ? ?
B*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A A ? A ? ? A B D D B A ? D ? A ? ?
C*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
D D ?
B*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
? ? C D ? A D A ? A A ? ? A
Ozone Gas B C A B B B D ? C ? C ? ? B B A B ? A A B C A A ?
C*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
D C ? D
A*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A B A B A B A A B A A B A
Peracetic Acid B D D C D D C ? ? ? D ? ? ? D D B ? ? A ? ? ? ? A D D D ? D A ? A ? A A C A C B A ? D A
Phenolic Solutions D B D A ? B D A ? C D A ? ? B
A*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
B C A B D ? A B D B A D D D
B*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
?
B*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
? A A
C*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A D B B B C A
Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) B D A D D C B B D D D A A A D A B C A A A A A A A A C C A D C B A D A A A A B C C C C
A*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
Vaporous Hydrogen Peroxide A D C A D
B*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
D C D C C ? A B D A A
C*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A A D D A A A A B D
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
C*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
A A B A A
A*Satisfactory to 22 ℃
A A
B**Satisfactory to 48 ℃
B A B A

Letter Key:
A: Excellent
B: Minor Effect, slight discoloration or corrosion.
C: Fair - Moderate Effect, not recommended for continuous use. Softening or loss of strength may occur.
D: Severe Effect - Not recommended for any use.
?: Information not available.


Disclaimer:
Information derived from the Cole Parmer Chemical Compatibility Database, the ISM Chemical Compatibility Chart.
This information was compiled to guide users in selecting appropriate decontaminating agents. All materials should be tested upon receipt for compatibility to specific consumer needs. Merrick & Company does not warrant (neither express nor implied) that the information in this chart is accurate or complete, nor that any material is suitable for any purpose.