You are on page 1of 10

Technical Information

HAZARDOUS LIGHTING

Aspects of Hazardous Area Lighting


Light fittings for use in hazardous areas have the following characteristics. They are sealed to prevent the ingress of either the liquid or
gas or dust. They have a lens for lamp protection made of a robust or impact resistant material of a greater strength than for a normal
commercial fitting. They have a seal or machined face to ensure resistance to liquid, dust or
gas, or to quench a flame path.
Light fittings have different grades of protection depending on their construction
and intended purpose.

Hazardous
Material
gas/vapour/dust

Some fittings are classified according to their IP International degrees of


Protection rating as it is designated.
Where the first numeral indicates resistance to solids and
the second to liquids, the Table indicates the actual values.
It can be seen that IP53 is probably the lowest rating that
can be used in the presence of water, vapour, moisture or dust
and corrosive vapours, the best rating for the same installation would
normally be IP65 or IP66. Light fittings subject to high pressure hosing
require even higher classification IP67.

IGNITION
HAZARD
Air/Oxygen
Supporter of
Combustion

Source of
Ignition

What constitutes a hazardous area in some contexts it could be a badly lit


step, however, we consider it to be an area in which a flammable material, gas
or vapour is be mixed in the correct proportion with air and within this mixture if a
spark or heat is present, it would be sufficient to ignite the mixture.
When Light fittings and other electrical apparatus are to be installed in a hazardous area it is essential that the decision maker takes
measures to reduce the likelihood of an explosion by the correct selection of the
equipment to be installed in that area.
As the gases and vapours liable to be present are rated according to ignition temperature, flash point and lower explosive limit,
this information must be on hand when making your light fitting selection.
Gases also have a gas group classification, namely Group I, Group IIA, Group IIB and Group IIC, where Methane falls in the category
Group I, while Hydrogen is a Group IIC gas, together with Acetylene.
At present, with the recent acceptance of IEC 79 specification, the industry is in the process of moving from a Divisional
nomenclature to a rating where Zone 0, previously Division 0, is an area which is continuously explosive. And Zone 1, previously
Division 1, is an area which is likely to be explosive under normal working conditions. Zone 2, previously Division 2, is normally
explosive in unusual situations, such as a failed gland or joint which leaks or is damaged. The general classification of the area is then
Zone 1&2

for gases and vapours and volatile liquids present in the air

Zone 21

for combustible dusts, metallic and non-metallic and also fibres in suspension in the air

Zone 22 dust and easily combustible fibres, not normally in suspension in the air, but are present
in sufficient quantities to produce a combustible mixture.
Various types of lighting equipment are available for installation in the various hazardous locations, some are locally manufactured
while others are imported, mainly from Europe.
A common fault of the light fitting purchaser is the non-specification of the gland type required for the installation. This has to be
compatible to the type of cable and the core diameters.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

There are different glands available for steel armoured cable and for sheathed cables. Also cables should be of the flame retardant
type if for exposed useage and if not sand covered.
Of the more common type of light fittings available for the Zone 1 situation are those designated and enclosed in
i) Flameproof or explosion proof

Ex d housings.

ii) Increased Safety

Ex e.

Although both are suitable for use in this type of atmosphere there is a world of difference in their construction format.

78

Technical Information
HAZARDOUS LIGHTING

NOTE: Hazardous Area Certified products are approved on a country specific basis.
Please contact Hella for details.

1. FLAMEPROOF F.L.P. of UK origin and Explosion proof Ex d of German origin have as a


common feature, heavy cast components and very thick glass the manufacture of which is strictly specified
and controlled.
Most flameproof housings are made of cast iron, phosphor bronze or brass, for underground use.
Only for surface use can Aluminium Alloy be considered.

Lamp protection is usually by means of a glass dome, however recently polycarbonate is being allowed.

As can be seen from the materials used in construction, there is sufficient mechanical strength to withstand an
explosion of the gas within the light fitting without damage and without the explosion being transmitted to the
surrounding gas. The flanged joints are very accurately machined, where the width of the flange is determined by
the volume and group of the enclosure. The glass is in turn cemented and clamped into position to ensure
strength of the housing.
As the material of the body is metal, earth continuity is essential and the correct glanding must be strictly adhered
to. Unused entries must be plugged. This seems an obvious statement but often during maintenance or installation
small modifications can occur. The means of mounting is always external to the enclosure.
The joint is lightly coated with a protective grease.

Electrical components are of normal construction as used in unprotected apparatus.

2.

Increased Safety Ex e.

These light fittings are not generally used underground in the mines because of their much lighter construction. The
materials used are normally glass-fibre-reinforced polyester, or aluminium alloy or glass and stainless steel. Special
care is taken to ensure that there is absolutely no risk of producing electrical sparks, arcs or excessive temperature
in normal operation. This is achieved through high quality type insulation, electrical connection without the possibility
of loose terminations and special construction of low temperature control gear and lamps.
It is not only the surface temperature in this type of fitting that is important but also that of each
individual component. The international temperature rating table is given in Table 2.
Type Ex e glands are used and earth continuity is provided for when steel armoured cable is used.
For flexible or sheathed cable Ex e compression glands are to be used.

The minimum required IP rating is IP 54 although most have a higher rating. Lamp protection is either
by means of armoured plate glass, a very thick borosilicate glass dome, or a polycarbonate lens.

Markings for Zone 1 fittings are vitally important as these tell the type of light fitting ie. Exd or Exe, voltage,
maximum wattage lamp,catalogue number. Most importantly the Test Authority is indicated. It is illegal to market
a light fitting without a certificate. The inability of the vendor to supply this certificate probably means the goods are
not in accordance with their claims and the onus rests with the purchaser to protect himself and his installation.
Temperature limits are also indicated on the label so that the matching of ignition temperatures and light fitting
limitations can be assessed for suitability.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION

If the light fittings are not switched external to the hazardous area, a flame proof isolating switch must be used which
cuts both the live and neutral i.e. two pole.
A step down from Exd and Exe is Exn or commonly known as non-sparking, a term which describes the
method of construction. These light fittings would be used in Zone 2 locations where the degree of hazard is lower.
Basically of fibre-glass-reinforced polyester or polycarbonate design, they have slightly lower insulation and creepage
distances than the Exe on lampholders and terminal blocks.
In each case the degree of protection of the housing or enclosure is indicated,

79

Technical Information
HAZARDOUS LIGHTING

2.

Special Systems

No mention has been made of some of the exotic forms of protection which are available or light
fittings such as those driven by compressed air and suitable for Zone 0 locations, as it is a special
design and pressure positive, the labels reads Ex s. Other light fittings or components have the
following designations:

Intrinsically Safe Exia or ib

Encapsulated Exm

Pressured or purged Exp

Sand filled Exq

Light fittings being only one of the electrical items used within the hazardous environment also need to be checked and
serviced regularly and special care must be taken when relamping to see that machine faces are not corrosion pitted or
gaskets damaged, that glands are still tight and not corroded and finally, that the sealing screws and devices are all tightly
replaced and none missing.
IEC 79-14 of 1984 covers most of the pitfalls in the wiring of electrical apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres.

TABLE 1
INGRESS PROTECTION (IP) CODES

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

FIRST NUMERAL
Protection against solid bodies
0 NO PROTECTION
0
1 OBJECTS GREATER THAN 50MM
1
2 OBJECTS GREATER THAN 12MM
2
3 OBJECTS GREATER THAN 2.5MM
3
4 OBJECTS GREATER THAN 1.0MM
4
5 DUST-PROTECTED
5
6 DUST-TIGHT
6

7

8

80

SECOND NUMERAL

Protection against liquid

NO PROTECTION
VERTICALLY DRIPPING WATER
75 to 90- ANGLED DRIPPING WATER
SPRAYED WATER
SPLASHED WATER
WATER JETS
HEAVY SEAS
EFFECTS OF IMMERSION
INDEFINITE IMMERSION

Technical Information
HAZARDOUS LIGHTING

Hazardous Area Apparatus


Zone 0, Zone 1 and Zone 2 Locations
GENERAL. Zone 0, Zone 1 and Zone 2 locations are those in which flammable gases or vapours are or may be present in the air
in quantities sufficient to become hazardous.
Zone 0 Locations.
These are locations in which flammable gases or vapours are continuously present in concentrations within the lower and upper
limits of flammability.
NOTE: Such a condition is rarely encountered and is limited mainly to confined spaces (such as the vapour space of closed
process vessels, closed tanks and closed containers), although it may also occur in larger rooms, such as rooms
in chemical plants. Even in such spaces it is possible that the gas-air or vapour-air mixture is normally outside the
flammability range.
Zone 1 Locations.
These are locations

a) in which hazardous concentrations of flammable gases or vapours occur intermittently or periodically under
normal operating conditions, or

b) in which hazardous concentrations of flammable gases or vapours may occur frequently because of repair
or maintenance operations or leakage, or

c)  in which breakdown or faulty operation of equipment or processes, which release dangerous concentrations of
flammable gases or vapours, might also cause simultaneous failure of electrical equipment.

NOTE: This classification usually includes locations where volatile flammable liquids or liquified flammable gases are transferred
from one container to another; interiors of spray booths and areas in the vicinity of spraying and painting operations
where volatile flammable solvents are used; locations containing open tanks or vats of volatile flammable liquids;
drying rooms or compartments for the evaporation of flammable solvents; locations containing fat or oil-extraction
apparatus using volatile flammable solvents; portions of cleaning and drying plants where flammable liquids are used;
gas generator rooms; inadequately ventilated pump rooms for flammable gases or for volatile flammable liquids and
all other locations where hazardous concentrations of flammable vapours or gases may occur in the course of normal
operations.
Zone 2 Locations.
These are locations in which operations concerned with flammable or explosive substances, gases, or vapours
or volatile liquids are so well controlled that an explosive or ignitable concentration is only likely to occur under abnormal
conditions.
NOTE 1: The following shall be regarded as the minimum requirements for a location to which this classification
is applicable:

a) The area is so well ventilated that, if abnormal conditions arise, ignitable concentrations of the gas or vapour are
rapidly dispersed and their possible contact with electrical equipment is of minimum duration.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

81

Technical Information
HAZARDOUS LIGHTING

Zone 21 and Zone 22 LOCATIONS


GENERAL. Zone 21 & 22 locations are those which are hazardous because of the presence of combustible dust and fibres.
NOTE: L
 ocations that house only plant and machinery that become non-operative if they lose their dust-tightness or if their
internal pressure ceases to be below atmospheric pressure and locations where combustible dust is stored in
dust-tight containers only need not be classified. The classification of locations where dust is not normally in
suspension in the air, but where mechanical failure or abnormal operation of machinery or equipment might cause
suspension of dust and might also provide a simultaneous source of ignition through failure of electrical equipment,
operation of protective devices, etc., depends on the specific circumstances.
Zone 21 Locations.
These are locations
a) in which, under normal operating conditions, combustible dust or fibre is (or is likely to be) in suspension in the
air in quantities sufficient to produce an explosive or ignitable mixture,
b) in which metallic dusts may be present.
NOTE: This classification usually includes, for example, rooms containing machines (such as grinders, pulverizers, cleaners,
graders and scrapers that are not provided with suitable dust extraction or exhaust systems, open bins and hoppers,
terminal points of open conveyors and spouts in grain processing plants, starch plants, sugar plants, malting plants,
hay plants and coal plants); and all working areas where metallic dusts and powders are produced, processed,
handled, packed, or stored (except when these are stored in sealed containers).
Zone 22 Locations.
These are locations in which combustible dust or fibre will not normally be in suspension in the air, or will not be likely to be thrown
into suspension by the normal operation of equipment or apparatus, in quantities sufficient to produce an explosive or ignitable
mixture, but where
a) deposits or accumulations of such dust may be enough to interfere with the safe dissipation of heat from electrical apparatus,
or
b) deposits or accumulations of dust in, on, or in the vicinity of electrical apparatus might be ignited by arcs,
sparks, or burning materials from such apparatus.
Flameproof Apparatus
Apparatus so enclosed that the enclosure will withstand, without injury, any explosion of the prescribed flammable
gas or vapour that may occur within it under practical conditions of operation within the rating of the apparatus
(and recognised overloads, if any, associated with the rating) and will prevent the transmission of flame such as
will ignite the prescribed flammable gas or vapour which may be present in the surrounding atmosphere.
Explosion-Proof Apparatus
Apparatus enclosed in a case that
a)

is capable of withstanding an internal explosion of a specific gas or vapour,

b) is capable of preventing the ignition (by arcs, sparks, or explosions that occur inside the case) of a specific gas
or vapour surrounding the enclosure, and

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

c) has not, when the apparatus is operating, an external surface temperature high enough to ignite a prescribed
gas or vapour-air-mixture.

82

Technical Information
HAZARDOUS LIGHTING

NOTE: The German term explosions-geschtzt (frequently translated as explosion-proof) is used also to denote apparatus
protected otherwise than by means of an explosion-proof case. Such other methods include those described in the
code under the definitions of intrinsically safe apparatus, pressurised apparatus, and Type e apparatus.
Ex e Apparatus (Increased Safety Apparatus).
Apparatus in which special precautions have been taken to prevent sparking, arcing, and the occurrence of temperatures high
enough to ignite a prescribed gas or vapour-air mixture.
Ex n Non-Sparking Apparatus.
Apparatus that in normal operation and in the absence of electrical or mechanical failure does not spark or arc or develop
temperatures high enough to ignite a prescribed gas or vapour-air mixture.
Dust-ignition-Proof Apparatus.
Apparatus so enclosed as

a)

to prevent the entry of enough dust to be ignited or to impair the performance of the apparatus, and

b) to prevent arcs, sparks, and heat, generated or liberated in the enclosure by other means, from igniting
accumulations of a dust on the outside of the enclosure and atmospheric suspensions of a dust in the vicinity
of the enclosure.

CLASSIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS


GENERAL. The descriptions in this section are given in general terms only. In determining the classification of a location and
its extent, cognisance should always be taken of the likelihood of explosive conditions arising, of the adequacy and reliability
of ventilation, of the quantity and nature of flammable or explosive material that can possibly be released, of the detection and
removal of flammable or explosive materials that are released, and of all other pertinent factors.
Piping without valves, checks, meters and similar devices would not normally be deemed to introduce a hazardous conditions even
though used for flammable liquids or gases.
Flameproof Apparatus
Enclosures are divided into the following main groups
Group 1
for use underground in mines, i.e. for use in the presence of methane (fire damp)
Group 2 for use above ground and subdivided according to their suitability for use in atmospheres
containing specific gases and vapours as shown in the following table.
Gas/Vapour
Ethyl methyl ketone
methyl acetate
Ethyl acetate
n-Propyl acetate
n-Butyl acetate
Amyl acetate
Chloro-ethylene
Methanol
Ethanol
iso-Butanol
n-Butanol
Amyl alcohol
Ethyl nitrite

Ethylone oxide
Coal gas (Town gas)
**
Coke-oven gas

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Subgroup
IIA
Industrial methane*

Ammonia

Blastfurnace gas

Carbon monoxide

Propane

Butane

Pentane

Hexane

Heptane

iso-Octane

Decane

Benzene

Xylene

Cyclohexane

Acetone
IIB
Buta-1:3 diene

Ethylene

Diethyl ether
IIC
Hydrogen

Industrial methane includes methane mixed with not more than 10% (v/v) of hydrogen.
*
Town gas may contain not more than 57% (v/v) of hydrogen and not more than 16% (v/v) of carbon
**

monoxide, the remainder being a mixture of paraffin hydrocarbons and inert gas.

83

Technical Information
HAZARDOUS LIGHTING

TABLE 2

TEMPERATURE CLASSES
Gas Group
Classification 450 C - T1

300 C - T2

Methane

IIA

Ammonia

Xylene

200 C - T3

135 C - T4

Cyclohexane

Heptane

Carbon Monoxide Acetone

Diesel

Hexane

Chlorobenzine

Ethanol

Aviation Fuel

Pentane

Propane

n-Propul Alcohol

Methanol

Petrol

Ethylacetate

Benzene

Amylacetate

n-Butyl Alcohol

n- Butane

IIB

Ethylene

Coal Gas


IIC

Buta 1:3 Diene

Hydrogen

100 C - T5

85 C - T6

Diethyl Ether

Acetylene

Carbon Disulphide

RATING BY TEMPERATURE

TECHNICAL INFORMATION


1

Temperature

class

2
3
Limiting
Gases and vapours
temperature
against which protection
C
is afforded*


T1
450

Chlorobenzene, ammonia, carbon


monoxide, coal gas, hydrogen,
water gas


T2
300





Acetone, ethane, ethyl chloride, xylene,


benzene (pure), methane, methanol,
naphthalene, propane, toluene, ethyl acetate, ethanol,
ethylene, cyclohexanone, isoamylacetate, 1.4
dioxan, n-butane, n-butylalcohol, acetic
acid, buta-1.3-diene, vinyl acetate, ethyl
benzene


T3
200


T4
135


Acetylene, n-propylalcohol, petrol, crude oil,


turpentine, cyclohexane
n-tetradecane, tetrahydrofuran,
trichlorosilane, ethyl glycol, n-hexane,
n-heptane, n-nonane acetaldehyde,
ethyl ether

T5

100

No gas or vapour specified as yet

T6

85

Carbon disulphide

*A
 pparatus classified in a temperature class is deemed to be suitable
for use in gases and vapours appropriate to that and all lower
temperature classes. For instance, a lamp reaching a temperature
of 130 C would be marked T4. That temperature would not ignite

84

the gases or vapours in the T4 row; neither would it ignite the gases
or vapours in the T3, T2 or T1 rows. However, that temperature
would ignite gases or vapours in the T5 or T6 rows, such as carbon
disulphide.

Technical Information
HAZARDOUS LIGHTING

A More Detailed List Of Compounds


Subdivision A
1. Hydrocarbons

Solvent or Cleaning
Petroleum
Heating oil
Kerosene
Diesel Oil
Motor Benzole

Alkanes
Methane
Ethane
Propane
Butane
Pentane
Hexane
Heptane
Octane
Nonane
Decane
Cyclobutane
Cyclopentane
Cyclohexane
Cycloheptane
Methylcyclobutane
Methylcyclopentane
Methylcyclohexane
Decahydronaphthalene
(Dekalin)

2. Compounds
Containing Oxygen
Oxides
(Including Ethers)
Carbon Monoxide
Dipropyl Ether
Alcohols and Phenols
Methanol
Ethanol
Propanol
Butanol
Pentanol
Hexanol
Heptanol
Octanol
Nonanol
Cyclohexanol
Methylcyclohexanol
Phenol
Cresol
4-Hydroxy-4Methylpentan-2-one
(Diacetone Alcohol)

Alkenes
Propene (Propylene)
Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Styrene
Isopropenylbenzene
(Methyl Styrene)
Benzenoids
Bezene
Toluene
Xylene
Ethylbenzene
Trimethal benzene
Naphtalene
Cumene
Cymene
Mixed Hydrocarbons
Methane (industrial)
Turpentine
Petroleum Naphtha
Coal Tar Naphtha
Petroleum (including
motor spirit)

Subdivision B

Aldehydes
Acetaldehyde
Metaldehyde
Ketones
Acetone
Butanone
(Ethyl Methyl Ketone)
Pentan-2-One
(Propyl Methyl Ketone)
Hexan-2-One
(Butyl Methyl Ketone)
Amyl Methyl Ketone
Pentane-2, 4-Dione

(Acetylacetone)
Cyclohexanone

4. Compounds
Containing Sulphur

Esters
Methyl Formate
Ethyl Formate
Methyl Acetate
Ethyl Acetate
Propyl Acetate
Butyl Acetate
Amyl Acetate
Methyl Methacrylate
Ethyl Methacrylate
Vinyl Acetate
Ethyl Acetoacetate

Ethanethiol
(Ethylmercaptan)
Propane-1-Thiol
(Propylmercaptan)
Thiophene
Tetrahydrothiophene

5. Compounds
Containing Nitrogen
Ammonia
Acetonitrile
Ethyl Nitrite
Nitromethane
Nitroethane

Acids
Acetic Acid

3. Compounds
Containing
Halogens

Amines
Methylamine
Dimethylamine
Trimethlamine
Diethylamine
Triethylamine
Propylamine
Butylamine
Cyclohexylamine
2-Aminoethanol
(Ethanolamine)
2-Diethylaminoethanol
Diaminoethane
Aaniline
NN-Dimethylaniline
Amphetamine
Toluidine
Pyridine

Compounds without
Oxygen
Chloromethane
Chloroethane
Bromoethane
Chloropropane
Chlorobutane
Bromobutane
Dichloroethane
Dichloropropane
Chlorobenzene
Benzyl chloride
Dichlorobenzene
Allyl chloride
Dichloroethylene
Chloroethylene
(Vinyl Chloride)
D,D,D-Trifluorotoluene
(Benzotrifluoride)
Dichloromethane
(Methylene Chloride)
Compounds with Oxygen
Acetyl Chloride


3. Compounds Containing Oxygen

propine (allylene, methylacetylene)


ethylene
cyclopropane
1,2-butadiene

2. Compounds Containing Nitrogen


acrylonitrile
isopropyl nitrate
hydrogen cyanide

dimethyl ether
ethyl methylether
diethyl ether
dibutyl ether
ethylene oxide (oxione)
1,2-epoxypropane (propylene oxide)
1,3-dioxolane
1,4-dioxan
1,3,5-trioxan
butyl glycolate (hydroxyacetic acid, butyl ester)
tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol
methyl acrylate
ethyl acrylate
furan
crotonaldehyde
acrylaldehyde (acrolein)
tetrahydrofuran

4. Mixtures

coke oven gas

5. Compounds Containing
Halogens

tetrafluoroethylene
1-chloro-2, 3-epoxypropane (epichlorohydrin)

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

1. Hydrocarbons

Chloroethanol

Subdivision C

1. hydrogen


acetylene
carbon disulphide
ethyl nitrate

85

Technical Information
HAZARDOUS LIGHTING

Tables for Chemical Resistance


Ambient temperature 20 C
Resistant
Resistant within limits
Not resistant

Resistant when saturated, resistant within limits when saturated.

Chemical Material Investigated


Accumulator Acid
Acetic Acid up to 5%
Acetic Acid up to 15%
Acetone
Alcohol up to 30%
Alcohol concentrate
Ammonia 25%
Aniline
Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Benzine
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Tetrachloride
Caustic Soda 2%
Caustic Soda 10%
Chloroform
Common Salt
Crude Oil
Diesel Oil
Dioxane
Ether
TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Ethyl Acetate
Glycerine
Glycol
Hydrobromic Acid
Hydrocarbons
Hydrochloric Acid 5%
Hydrochloric Acid 30%
86

Chemical Material Investigated


Hydrochloric Acid 96%
Hydrogen Peroxide over 40%
Hydrogen Sulphide
Ketones
Lyso
Metal Salts
and their aqueous solutions
Methanol
Methylene Chloride
Milk of Lime
Nitric Acid 5%
Nitric Acid 30%
Nitric Acid concentrate
Petrol
Petroleum Ether
Phenol
Pyridine
Sea Water
Soap Suds
Soda
Sulphuric Acid 5%
Sulphuric Acid 30%
Sulphuric Acid concentrate
Sulphurous Acid 5%
Synthetic detergent
Turpentine
Water up to 70 C
Xylene

Aluminium
Fibreglass
Acrylic
Polycarbonate
Stainless Steel

Aluminium
Fibreglass
Acrylic
Polycarbonate
Stainless Steel

Technical Information
HAZARDOUS LIGHTING

Tables for Chemical Resistance


Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is soluble in a number of technical solvents.
Good solvents include: methylene chloride, ethylene chloride,
trichloroethane, tetrachloroethane, chloroform, m-cresol and
pyridine.
Comparatively poor solvents for polycarbonate
include: deoxane, tetrahydrofuran, cyclohexanone and
dimethylformamide.
Examples of swelling agents are: benzene, chlorobenzene,
tetralin, acetone, ethyl acetate, acetonitrile and carbon
tetrachloride.

Polycarbonate is resistant to mineral acids, even in high


concentrations, many organic acids, oxidising and reducing
agents, neutral and acid salt solutions, many greases, waxes
and oils, saturated, aliphatic and cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons
and alcohols, with the exception of methyl alcohol.
Polycarbonate is chemically degraded by aqueous or alcoholic
alkaline solutions, ammonia gas and its solutions and also by
amines.

Chemical Resistance Table (Standard Polycarbonate)


Resistance

1.
=
+
=
=
=
=

+

=
=
+

=
+
+
+
=
=
+

O
=
+

+
=
=

+
=
+
=
+
=
+
+
O
+
+
=

Chemicals
acetaldehyde
acetic acid up to 10%
acetone
acrylonitrile
ammonia
ammonium hydroxide
solution
ammoniym sulphate,
saturated solution in water
benzene
benzoic acid
borax, saturated
solution in water
bromine
butylene glycol
calcium hypochlorite
carbon dioxide, moist
caustic potash
caustic soda
chlorinated lime
solution 2% in water
chlorine gas, dry
chlorine gas, moist
chromic acid, 20% in
water
coal gas
cresol
dibutyl phthalate
(plasticiser)
diethylene glycol
dioxane
ethanol
ether
ethyl alcohol 96% pure
ethylene chloride
ethylene glycol
formalin 10%
formic acid 30%
glycol
heptane
hydrochloric acid, conc.

Limited Resistance

+
+
+

+
=
=
+
=
=
+
O

+


=
=
+


+


+
+


+


O
=
+
=
=

hydrochloric acid 20%


hydrogen sulphide
ligroin (hydrocarbon
mixture)
methane
methanol
methylmethacrylate
nitric acid 10%
nitric acid 20%
nitrous fumes, dry
ozone
petroleum ether
(hydrocarbon mixture)
petroleum spirit (for
dry cleaning, free of
aromatics)
phenol
potassium cyanide
potassium
permanganate, 10%
in water
potassium sulphate,
saturated solution in
water
propionic acid 20%
sodium bicarbonate,
saturated solution in
water
sodium chloride,
saturated solution in
water
sulphur dioxide
sulphuric acid, conc.
sulphuric acid 50%
toluene
trichloroethylene

2.
=
+
O
+

Disinfectants
carbolic acid
hydrogen peroxide
iodine, tincture
perhydrol

=
3.

+
=

Pharmaceuticals,
cosmetics
lanolin
nail varnish remover

4.

=
+
+
+
+
+
=
+

+
+

Foodstuffs, drinks
and tobacco
allspice
coffee
edible oil
fruit juices
glucose
linseed oil
nutmeg
sugar solution,
saturated
vegetable juices
vegetable oil

5.

+
O
+
+
+
O

Detergents, rinsing
and cleaning agents
Ajax
Persil
Pril
silicone oil emulsion
soft soap
tuba carpet shampoo
conc.

6.

+

=
=
O
+
+

+
+
+
O

Technical oils and


greases
Baysilone fluids
(silicone fluids)
brake fluid (ATE)
camphor oil
diesel oil
fish liver oil
hydraulic fluid (Vac
HLP 16)
paraffin oil
silicone oil
turpentine substitute
varnish

Not Resistant
7.

+
+
+
+

Adhesives and
sealants
Cellux adhesive films
glaziers putty
insulating tape
rubber (free of
plasticiser)

8.

+

+
+
+

Polishes and
anti-static agents
Delu anti-static
solution
Perspex polish 3
Plexiklar
Polifac grinding
paste

9.
O

+

Inks
multimarker (Faber
Castell)
pelican royal blue
4001

10.
+
+

+
+
+
=

=
O

+
O
=
=
=

Miscellaneous
battery acid
chrome oxide green
(grinding paste)
cleaning petrol
coal gas
exhaust fumes, acidic
kerosene, (aviation
fuel)
motor fuel, high octane
motor fuel, ordinary
grade
polyethylene
polymeric plasticisers
tannic acid
thinners
white spirit

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

This information and technical data advice, whether verbal, in writing or through trials, is given in good faith without warranty. This also applies
where proprietary rights of third parties are involved. This advice does not release you from the obligation to check its validity.

87

You might also like