BUTYL ALCOHOL & Polypropylene Compatibility

Butanol, a 4-carbon alcohol (butyl alcohol), is generally used as an industrial solvent in products such as lacquers and enamels. However, it can also be blended with gasoline and used as a transportation fuel. Butanol is commonly produced using fossil fuels, but it can also be produced from biomass, in which case it is called biobutanol. Biobutanol is produced from the same feedstocks as ethanol—corn, sugar beets, and other types of biomass. Biobutanol is considered a renewable fuel and qualifies under the Renewable Fuel Standard; the category it falls under depends on the feedstock used to produce it. Butyl Alcohol has a specific gravity of .81.

PVDF temperature limit: 230°F (110°C). That is Arkema’s maximum use temperature for Kynar Flex® 2850 PVDF, the resin we mold, with Butyl Alcohol (Aqueous solution or liquid). Arkema’s limits are for solid resin at atmospheric pressure and do not account for mixtures. Source: Arkema Kynar® PVDF chemical resistance chart. Confirm your application with Bailiff before ordering.

At a glance

HDPE is the most economical tank material for Butyl Alcohol, rated Excellent. Polypropylene and PVDF (Kynar®) are also rated Good or better. Avoid nylon tanks. Rated Fair (contact us before use): Buna-N gaskets.

  • Excellent No or minor effect. Recommended.
  • Good Slight effect. Generally suitable.
  • Fair Moderate effect. Limited or conditional use — contact us.
  • Not Recommended Severe effect. Do not use.
  • No Data Not tested. Contact us before use.

Tank Resins

How Butyl Alcohol works with the plastics used to make our storage tanks.

Material Relative cost Rating
HDPE $ Excellent
Polypropylene $$ Excellent
Nylon $$$ Not Recommended
PVDF (Kynar®) $$$$ Excellent

Fittings

How Butyl Alcohol works with the plastics used for tank fittings.

Material Rating
HDPE Excellent
PVC Excellent
CPVC Excellent
Polypropylene Excellent
PVDF Excellent

Gaskets & O-Rings

How Butyl Alcohol works with gasket and O-ring materials.

Material Rating
Buna-N Fair
EPDM Excellent
Viton® Excellent

Metals

How Butyl Alcohol works with the metals used for fittings and bolts.

Material Rating
316 Stainless Steel Excellent
Hastelloy Excellent
Titanium No Data
Aluminum No Data

Request a Polypropylene Tank Quote

Storing this chemical in polypropylene?

Tanks & Fittings Built for It

Polypropylene tanks from 25 to 6,000 gallons with polypropylene fittings installed. Confirm concentration and temperature with us before you order.

Tell Us What You’re Storing

Send the chemical, concentration, temperature and size. We’ll match the tank and fittings and send a quote.