Chapter6.

fm Page 116 Wednesday, July 8, 2015 9:51 AM

Table 6-9
Chemical-Resistant Properties and Flame Ratings
Acids1 Alkalies1 Organic
Material Flammability2
Weak Strong Weak Strong Solvents1

Aluminum3 N N N N N G
Asphalt-coated steel4 Y Y Y Y N G
Epoxy-coated steel Y Y Y Y Y G
Galvanized steel5 N N N N Y G
Epoxy glass fiber reinforced6 Y Y Y N Y SL
Polyester glass fiber reinforced7 Y Y Y N Y SL
Polethylene fluorocarbon8 Y Y Y Y Y SE
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)9 Y Y Y Y N SE
Polypropylene10 Y N Y N N SE
316 Stainless steel11 Y Y Y Y Y G
304 Stainless steel11 Y N Y N Y G
1
N = attacked severely; Y = no attack or insignificant
2
G = good fire resistance; SL = slow burning; SE = self-extinguishing
3
Aluminum is not generally used due to its subjectivity to attacks by acids and alkalies.
4
Asphalt-coated steel is resistant to acids, subject to solvent and oil attacks.
5
Galvanized steel is subject to acid and alkaline attacks under wet conditions.
6
Epoxy glass fiber reinforced is resistant to weak acids and weak alkalies and is slow burning.
7
Polyester glass fiber reinforced can be used for all acids and weak alkalies but is attacked severely by strong alkalies and is slow burning.
8
Polyethylene fluorocarbon is an excellent material for all chemicals.
9
PVC is an excellent material for most chemicals and is self-extinguishing but is attacked by some organic solvents.
10
Polypropylene is resistant to most chemicals and is self-extinguishing but is subject to attack by strong acids, alkalies, gases, anhydrides,
and ketones.
11
Types 3016 and 304 stainless steel are subject to acid and chloride attacks, varying with the chromium and nickel content.

Each of these materials should be evaluated based on its reactivity to chemicals and
flammability. Effluents may be classified generically as organic or inorganic chemical
gases, vapors, fumes, or smoke and qualitatively as acids, alkalies (bases), solvents, or
oils. Exhaust system ducts, fans, dampers, flow sensors, and coatings are subject to corro-
sion, which destroys metal by chemical or electrochemical action; dissolution, which
destroys materials such as coatings and plastics; and melting or yielding, which can cause
a catastrophic failure, weakening of the duct, or thinning of the coating and can occur in
certain plastics and coatings at elevated temperatures.
Common reagents used in laboratories include acids and bases. Common organic
chemicals include acetone, ether, petroleum ether, chloroform, and acetic acid. The
HVAC engineer should consult with the safety officer and scientists of the laboratory
because the specific research to be conducted determines the chemicals used and there-
fore the necessary duct material and construction.
The following criteria should be considered when selecting the materials and applica-
tions for exhaust ducts:
• The nature of hood effluents plays a significant role in determining the type of
duct material to use and determines the sealant type and application procedure
as well as the possible need for protective coatings. Therefore, knowledge of the
current and future effluents and their possible concentrations is necessary to
assess the materials required to handle the exhaust. The resistance strengths of
various materials to effluent attacks are provided in Table 6-9.
• The ambient temperature of the space surrounding the exhaust duct should be
considered when selecting exhaust duct materials. As with supply ducts, the
ambient air surrounding the exhaust ductwork can create condensation. How-

116 ASHRAE Laboratory Design Guide, Second Edition