Chemical Resistance

How Simmons epoxy resin stands up to the reagents used at the bench: all 49 results of the SEFA 3-2020 chemical and stain resistance test, and the independent tests behind the datasheet.

Test method

24-hour spot test to SEFA 3-2020, section 2.1, by SGS INTRON Laboratory, Sittard, in March 2026, on a 15 mm grey sample. Volatile reagents (method A) sit under a saturated cotton ball in an inverted bottle; non-volatile reagents (method B) as five drops under a watch glass; both for 24 hours at 23 °C. A laboratory-grade surface may show no more than four level 3 results. This material shows one.

40/49No effect, or slight change only

Find a reagent

#	Reagent	Method	Rating
1	Acetate, Amyl	A	0 · No effect
2	Acetate, Ethyl	A	1 · Excellent
3	Acetic Acid, 98%	B	0 · No effect
4	Acetone	A	1 · Excellent
5	Acid Dichromate, 5%	B	2 · Good
6	Alcohol, Butyl	A	0 · No effect
7	Alcohol, Ethyl	A	0 · No effect
8	Alcohol, Methyl	A	0 · No effect
9	Ammonium Hydroxide 28%	B	1 · Excellent
10	Benzene	A	0 · No effect
11	Carbon Tetrachloride	A	0 · No effect
12	Chloroform	A	2 · Good
13	Chromic Acid 60%	B	2 · Good
14	Cresol	A	1 · Excellent
15	Dichloroacetic Acid	A	1 · Excellent
16	Dimethylformanide	A	1 · Excellent
17	Dioxane	A	1 · Excellent
18	Ethyl Ether	A	1 · Excellent
19	Formaldehyde, 37%	A	0 · No effect
20	Formic Acid 90%	B	0 · No effect
21	Furfural	A	1 · Excellent
22	Gasoline	A	0 · No effect
23	Hydrochloric Acid 37%	B	1 · Excellent
24	Hydrofluoric Acid 48%	B	2 · Good
25	Hydrogen Peroxide, 30%	B	0 · No effect

#	Reagent	Method	Rating
26	Iodine, Tincture of	B	2 · Good
27	Methyl Ethyl Ketone	A	1 · Excellent
28	Methylene Chloride	A	2 · Good
29	Monochlorobenzene	A	1 · Excellent
30	Naphthalene	A	0 · No effect
31	Nitric Acid, 20%	B	1 · Excellent
32	Nitric Acid, 30%	B	1 · Excellent
33	Nitric Acid, 70%	B	2 · Good
34	Phenol, 90%	A	1 · Excellent
35	Phosphoric Acid, 85%	B	1 · Excellent
36	Silver Nitrate, Saturated	B	0 · No effect
37	Sodium Hydroxide, 10%	B	1 · Excellent
38	Sodium Hydroxide, 20%	B	1 · Excellent
39	Sodium Hydroxide, 40%	B	1 · Excellent
40	Sodium Hydroxide, Flake	B	1 · Excellent
41	Sodium Sulfide, Saturated	B	1 · Excellent
42	Sulfuric Acid, 33%	B	1 · Excellent
43	Sulfuric Acid, 77%	B	1 · Excellent
44	Sulfuric Acid, 96%	B	3 · Fair
45	Sulfuric Acid, 77% and Nitric Acid 70% equal parts	B	2 · Good
46	Toluene	A	0 · No effect
47	Trichloroethylene	A	1 · Excellent
48	Xylene	A	0 · No effect
49	Zinc Chloride, Saturated	B	0 · No effect

0 · No effectNo detectable change in the material surface.

1 · ExcellentSlight detectable change in colour or gloss, but no change in the function or life of the surface.

2 · GoodA clearly discernible change in colour or gloss, but no significant impairment of surface life or function.

3 · FairObjectionable change in appearance due to discolouration or etch, possibly resulting in deterioration of function over an extended period.

Reagent names and concentrations as printed in the certificate (Certificate of Analysis 260776a, revision a, 14 April 2026). Suitability for a given application depends on the chemicals used in that laboratory; for a reagent, concentration or exposure not shown here, contact our team and we will advise.

Test reports

Independently tested.

The tests behind the figures on the datasheet. The results are summarised here; the full reports are available on request.

SEFA 3-2020 · Section 2.1

Chemical and stain resistance

Tested by SGS INTRON Laboratory, Sittard, Netherlands (ISO 17025 accredited), 20 to 26 March 2026, on a 15 mm grey sample machined by Simmons. Disposition: conforming, with one level 3 result (96% sulphuric acid) against an allowance of four. 16 reagents left no effect, 24 a slight change in colour or gloss, 8 a clearly discernible change.

Download the results (PDF)

UL 723 · Class A

Surface burning characteristics

Tested in the Steiner tunnel at UL, Northbrook, Illinois, on 15 September 2025, on 15 mm black material: Flame Spread Index 10, Smoke Developed Index 350, time to ignition 198 seconds, meeting the requirements for a Class A surface-burning classification.

ISO 527-2 · ISO 178 · ISO 604

Mechanical properties

Tensile, flexural and compressive tests by Impact Solutions, Livingston, report IMP07237-LR of 30 March 2026, means of five specimens: tensile strength 55 N/mm², modulus 8,753 N/mm², flexural strength 86.4 N/mm², compressive strength 149 N/mm². The figures are on the material datasheet.

BS 4247 Part 1 Test A

Ease of radioactive decontamination

Tested by IRAS Limited (NAMAS testing laboratory 1011), certificate 227, completed 9 June 1992: decontamination factor 5598, deviation parameter 1.25, classification "Excellent". The certificate records the colour tested as Grey. Available on request.

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