Yes, HDPE bottles are safe for storing most acids. They are fine with hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and nitric acid, but glass bottles with Teflon
caps or stoppers are really better for storing nitric acid, especially fuming nitric acid, and glass bottles are probably better for sulfuric acid,
because some of our members have noticed slow darkening of their sulfuric acid in HDPE bottles. Nothing serious however, especially for nitrations.
HDPE bottles are also safe for most oxidizers like hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorites. If you're wondering about compatibility, check one of the
online compatibility tables, like the Cole-Parmer one:
https://www.coleparmer.com/Chemical-Resistance
Anyhow, the cap is probably the same plastic as the container. If you're planning to get in to chemistry I highly recommend getting some reagent
bottles (glass with glass stoppers) or teflon-capped glass bottles.
I store plenty of stuff in plastic containers because I don't have the money to store everything in glass bottles. Don't let the containers completely
obstruct you from doing chemistry, but be safe.
Bottom line: HDPE is for the most part fine, but glass is better. |