MATERIAL SELECTION

Although there are many published guidelines to material selection, it is important to

remember that whether they are referring to metals or plastics the ratings given tend to
be based on coupon testing under laboratory conditions. They generally do not
differentiate between static and dynamic conditions. Pumps are very different from
tanks faced with zero velocity, or piping which may experience flow velocities in single
digit feet per second. Centrifugal pumps not only face velocities from 50 to 150 feet per
second, but they are exposed to turbulence as well. When considering this combination
of high velocity and turbulence, the corrosive-erosive attack becomes most significant.
This is particularly important when the selection involves a choice between stainless
steel and thermoplastics.

Even when both materials adequately meet the required chemical resistance at the
indicated temperature range, the superior abrasion resistance of thermoplastics makes
them the obvious choice. High velocity in conjunction with turbulence removes the
protective oxide from the chromium/nickel alloys and can lead to premature pump
failure. ( See following table for comparative abrasion resistance).

Another significant material design criterion which should be considered is the suitability
of metal pumps with nonmetallic linings. These are offered as an economical solution to
providing the chemical inertness and abrasion resistance of plastics with the structural
support of an inexpensive metal not requiring corrosion resistance. There are many
applications for which this compromise proves feasible, but the user should be aware of
the potential problems inherent with lined construction.

The following problem potential for lined pumps which were presented at a technical
meeting in Canada some time ago, are as meaningful today as they were then:

• Pin holes or permeability which result in chemical attack on the metal base,
• Lining damage due to solids in the pumpage,
• Thermal cycling or cavitation,
• Liner damage during maintenance.

Evaluation of Material for Nonmetallic pumps – Henry Lee, TRW Mission Mfg.
Canadian Chemical Show: 1976

MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION

(A) Thermoplastic Materials

‰ PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Widely used in chemical processing, electroplating, chilled water distribution, deionized

water lines, chemical drainage, and irrigation systems. High physical properties and
resistance to corrosion and chemical attack by acids, alkalies, salt solutions and many
other chemicals. Maximum service temperature is 140ºF.

Vanton Pump & Equipment Corp. 1 May 15, 2004

‰ CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride)

Its chemical resistance is similar to, but slightly better than PVC. It offers greater
strength. Excellent for hot corrosive liquids where elevated temperatures are involved.
Maximum service temperature is 225ºF.

‰ PP (Polypropylene)

A polyolefin which is lightweight and high in chemical resistance. Chemically resistant to

organic solvents, as well as acids and alkalies. Recommended for general purpose use in
water and waste treatment, laboratories and corrosive plant effluents involving mixed or
unknown chemicals. Maximum service temperature is 180ºF.

‰ PE – (Polyethylene)

This high-molecular weight material is impermeable to water and generally resistant to

organic solvents, acids and alkalies. It is among the lightest of the thermoplastics and
retains good physical properties even at low temperature. Polyethylene is attacked by
strong oxidizing acids and chlorinated or aromatic solvents. Maximum recommended
service temperature is 200ºF.

‰ Fluoropolymer

The three major fluoroplastics widely used in pumps for structural parts are:
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and ethylene
chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE). Each offers particular attractions.

PTFE is perhaps the most inert compound known so it can be exposed to an extremely
broad range of fluids. Its maximum service temperature, 500ºF, is significantly higher
than that of the other two.

PVDF is stronger, stiffer and less subject to creep than PTFE. It retains strength well
throughout its service-temperature range. Its maximum recommended service
temperature is 300ºF. It is chemically resistant to most acids, alkalies (except sodium
hydroxide) and organic solvents and is equally suited for handling wet or dry chlorine,
bromine and the other halogens.

‰ PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride)

Strong, tough and abrasion resistant fluorocarbon material. Chemically resistant

to most acids, bases and organic solvents and equally suited for handling wet or
dry chlorine, bromine and other halogens. Recommended for ultrapure water
applications. Maximum service temperature is 275ºF.

ECTFE has high tensile strength and impact resistance. It is inert to a broad range of
acids, including the oxidizing types. It also can handle alkalies, organic solvents (and
combinations of them), most other corrosive liquids, and abrasive mixtures, even when
used as a coating over metals. Maximum service temperature is 300ºF.

Vanton Pump & Equipment Corp. 2 May 15, 2004

All three of these fluoropolymers are suitable for applications requiring extreme purity
and freedom from contamination. Examples include electronics manufacture and the
handling of ultrapure water.

(B) Elastomeric Components

Thermoplastic pumps require elastomeric materials as well. These are primarily used
where corrosion resistance and impact resistance must be combined with flexibility, as
in gaskets, O-rings and other flexible parts.

‰ Natural Rubber

It offers good resistance to weak and strong acids and alkalies, as well as to oxygenated
solvents. It stands up well against abrasion and has good low-temperature
characteristics. But it is attacked by oxidizing acids and tends to swell in vegetable,
mineral and animal oils.

‰ Butyl Rubber

Formed by the polymerization of butylene and butadiene, this synthetic elastomer has
good resistance to corrosive chemicals in general, including outstanding resistance to
dilute mineral acids. It also resists vegetable and mineral oils. It stands up very well
under heat and offers low gas permeation. It is not recommended for use with petroleum
solvents or aromatic hydrocarbons.

‰ Buna-N (Nitrile Rubber)

This copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile has good resistance to weak and strong
acids, as well as alkalies, and is highly inert to aliphatic hydrocarbons, petroleum, and
mineral and vegetable oils. It has excellent water-swell resistance, and its mechanical
properties actually improve at higher temperatures. Buna-N is not recommended for use
with highly polar solvents, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and chlorinated
hydrocarbons.

‰ Neoprene

It offers excellent resistance to dilute acids and weak and strong alkalies, and good
resistance to petroleum, oils and concentrated acids. It is not recommended for strong
oxidizing acids, esters, ketones or chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons.

‰ Ethylene-propylene-diene Monomer (EPDM) Rubber

This synthetic elastomer affords excellent low- and high-temperature characteristics. It

resists attack by a wide range of acids and alkalies, detergents, phosphates, ketones,
alcohols and glycols. EPDM does not tend to absorb fluid, nor to swell. It is not
recommended for use with aromatic hydrocarbons.

Vanton Pump & Equipment Corp. 3 May 15, 2004

‰ Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene

It offers good resistance to dilute and concentrated acids and alkaline solutions,
regardless of their pH. Resistance to strong oxidizing acids is excellent.

‰ Other Elastomers

Copolymers of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropro-pylene have excellent resistance to

oils, fuels, lubricants and most mineral acids and stand up against many aliphatic and
aromatic hydrocarbons that attack other rubbers. They are not recommended for low-
molecular-weight esters or ethers, nor for ketones or certain amines, nor hot anhydrous
hydrofluoric acid or chlorosulfonic acids.

Copolymers of perfluoromethyl vinyl ester and tetrafluoroethylene offer virtually

unmatched resistance to all classes of chemicals, except fluorinated solvents. Continued
use at temperatures to 550ºF is possible, and intermittent use to 600ºF. The material
neither creeps nor flows, and it becomes more elastic rather than embrittled with heat
aging. The major disadvantage is extremely high cost.

In addition to the structural thermoplastics and the elastomers, thermoplastic pump

manufacturers sometime employ ceramics in seal components. Two of the most common
are a ceramic-graphite composite with a silicon-carbide surface that stands up well
against abrasion and heat, and a sintered silicon carbide that offers extremely high
corrosion resistance to aggressive liquids and solutions, such as bromine.

™ ASSURING QUALITY AND RELIABILITY

The engineer should insist that the supplier test every pump before shipment, rather
than relying on random sampling. Testing should in all cases include output flowrate,
head pressure, and energy input. Centrifugal pumps should also be hydrostatically
checked for leaks up to the rated seal pressure. Hydraulic Institute (Cleveland, Ohio)
guidelines should be followed for all testing.

Routine vibration testing can be carried out by sound and touch, but the findings should
be checked with a vibration meter if they appear to be borderline. Shaft straightness
and run out should be examined, and run out of the impellers and similar circular parts
should be assessed by an indicator on a motorized fixture.

Be sure to specify that the pump impellers be dynamically balanced. Forestalling shaft
vibrations not only makes for accurate flowrates and long seal life but also can help the
pump meet workplace-noise limitations, such as those of the U.S. Occupational Safety
and Health Administration. Pump buyers’ concerns about erosion stemming from surface
grinding or hold drilling required for balancing are unwarranted.

Vanton Pump & Equipment Corp. 4 May 15, 2004

 Table (1)

PROPERTIES OF RIGID PUMP MATERIALS

Hardness Abrasion Impact

Max.Temp Specific Tensile R = Rockwell Resistance (IZOD)
Material Gravity Strength D = Shore Weight C = Charpy
ºF ºC (psi) B = Barcol Loss (mg)
Br = Brinell Taber, 1000
cycles

PVC 140 60 1.30 6,000 – 7,500 R 113 12 – 20 1.4 – 2.0

CPVC 210 99 1.49 7,500 – 11,000 R 121 20 0.6

PE 200 93 0.92 – 0.94 3,500 – 5,600 R 35 – 40 5 1.5 – 12.20

PP 185 85 0.94 4,000 – 5,000 R 80 – 110 15 – 20 0.5 – 2.2

PVDF 275 135 1.75 5,500 – 8,250 D 80 5 – 10 3.6 – 4.0

No break at
ECTFE 300 149 1.75 6,500 – 7,500 D 75; R 93 5 – 10 73ºF

PTFE 500 260 2.14 – 2.20 2,000 – 5,000 D 50 – 55 500 – 1,000 3.0

FRP/GRP 250 121 3.4 – 5.0 10,000 – 13,000 B 35 – 40 388 – 520 --

S/S N/A N/A 7.9 65,000 – 77,000 Br 130 50 C 70

Table (2)

COMPARATIVE PROPERTIES OF ELASTOMERICS

Material Max.Temp Description

ºF ºC

Natural Rubber Good resistance to acids, caustics attached by oxidizing acids, swells in
220 104 solvents.

Buna-N Resists acids, caustics, aliphatic hydrocarbons and oils.

(Natural Rubber) 250 120 Not suitable for solvents or chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Neoprene Multipurpose, resists sunlight, ozone, caustics and oils, grease

(Synthetic Rubber) 250 120 chemicals, weathering, dilute acids.

Butyl Rubber Resists corrosive chemicals and dilute mineral acids, good for vegetable
(Synthetic Elastomer) and mineral oils, but not for solvents or aromatic hydrocarbons.
250 120

Nordel® General purpose, excellent chemical, ozone and heat resistance,

(Hydrocarbon Rubber) 300 149 suitable for wide range of chemicals, low absorption or swelling.

Viton® Resists heat, corrosion, corrosive chemicals, ozone, oils, and aromatic
(Fluoroelastomer) 400 204 hydrocarbons.

Hypalon® Resists abrasion, oils, oxidizing chemicals, sunlight, weathering, dilute

(Synthetic Rubber) 275 135 and concentrated acids and caustics.

Vanton Pump & Equipment Corp. 5 May 15, 2004