What is chemical resistance? And its Types

The surface coating acts as the main protection from external stresses and interactions or harsh environments. However, coatings come in contact with chemicals and acids during cleaning products, leaks or mist. Therefore, the outermost layer of the coating must have the necessary ability to resist chemical attacks and protect the substrate from contamination.

What Does Chemical Resistance Mean?

A chemical resistant coating is the strength of a material to protect it from chemical attack or insoluble reactions. It is the opposite of a chemical reaction. This determines the resistance of the material to the corrosive environment.





Chemical resistivity generally describes the amount of chemicals a material can withstand. The chemical resistant coating  chart can be used to see the relative resistance of the material. Thermoplastics are suitable for use in many industrial process applications due to their high resistance to many chemicals.

Protexion LLP Explains Chemical Resistance

A chemical resistant coating  is the ability of a material to withstand chemical attacks. High chemical resistance content, therefore, is less likely to rust. Materials with high chemical resistance are generally known as corrosion-resistant materials due to their inertia due to chemical attacks.


Materials with low chemical resistance are usually swollen or soft, resulting in loss of serviceability of the material. When testing materials for chemical resistant coating, important factors include:

  • Temperature

  • Concentration of chemicals

  • Exposure duration

  • Mechanical load

In the chemical resistance test, alumina and silicon carbide have higher levels of resistance to chemicals, while stainless steel, zirconia and silicon have lower levels of resistance to chemicals. Stainless steel dissolves in hydrochloric acid, while zirconia and silicon nitride are soluble in hydrofluoric acid, so they exhibit high levels of solubility and low levels of chemical resistance.


Chemically resistant products are required for a variety of applications and environmental conditions. In industry, not only corrosive chemicals are used, but sometimes water causes corrosion of many substances. Therefore, the use of products with high chemical resistance in adverse environments offers advantages in increasing the efficiency and productivity of the industry and reduces the need to replace parts. This ultimately makes the process more economical.

Types of Chemical Resistant Coatings

Many types of chemical resistant coatings are available and used in various applications. Some of the major categories include:

Epoxy-based

These coatings protect against acids, alkalis, solvents, caustic liquids, fuels, fatty acids, salt or sugar solutions, chemical cleaning detergents and more. When thermal curing, they offer excellent impact resistance, as well as corrosion and abrasion resistance.

Polyurethane-based

Such coatings are resistant to organic caustic fluids, acids and alkalis, fuels and hydraulic oils and solvents.

Phenolic-based

These coatings are resistant to concentrated forms of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, transmission fluids, gasoline, formaldehyde, phenols and numerous other chemicals. Compared to PU and epoxy coatings, these are ideal for low pH and high temperatures.

Fluoropolymer-based

Such coatings are famous for their non-sticking properties. Fluoropolymers are resistant to a variety of chemicals, including concentrated sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric, and phosphoric acids. For example, PTFE can withstand high temperatures (300 C) and FEP offers the same advantages as PTFE with excellent abrasion resistance.


Protexion provides chemical resistant coating and paint for highly corrosive chemical environments and industries to protect metal, wood, etc.At some point, almost all coatings will get disclosed to chemicals and acids, whether cleaning products, spills, or fumes. This coating plays a substantial role in protection against the harmful acids, oils,solvents and even cleaning solutions which can easily lead to the erosion on floors. However most of these are mild and the coating does not need a special formulation.


If you want more information about chemical resistant coating, visit our site - http://www.protexion.in/chemical-resistant-coatings.php 


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