Nalgene high density polyethylene bottles are our most popular lab bottles by virtue of their leakproof* performance, compatibility with a wide range of lab reagents, impact resistance down to -100°C, and lower cost than many other materials. High density polyethylene bottles provide very good chemical compatibility with a wide variety of lab reagents, including most acids, bases, alcohols, aldehydes, esters, and aliphatic hydrocarbons.
For chemical compatibility ratings by specific chemical and application temperature, consult the Nalgene Chemical Resistance Guide, or request a copy of the printed wall chart. High density polyethylene bottles are made only from high quality laboratory grade resin materials that comply with a number of regulatory specifications including: USP Class VI, EP monographs, EU food-contact directives, CONEG, RoHS, CA Prop 65, SARA Title III Sec. 313, and 21 CFR pt 177.1520 for food contact. For regulatory claims and certifications applicable to specific Nalgene bottles, please contact Nalgene Regulatory Support.
For help selecting the Thermo Scientific Nalgene bottle that's perfect for your lab applications, use our online selection guide or for personal assistance, contact the Nalgene technical support team.
Looking for ways to make your lab more sustainable? Nalgene high-density polyethylene bottles are reusable, durable and readily recyclable at end-of-life; discover more about Nalgene bottle sustainability and green manufacturing practices through our participation in My Green Lab's ACT Label program.
Chemical compatibility
For a more detailed chemical resistance guide by chemical and application temperature, please refer to Chemical resistance guide or request a printed poster for your lab or contact Nalgene Technical Support.
E | No damage after 30 days constant exposure at 20 oC |
G | Little or no damage after 30 days constant exposure at 20oC |
F | Some effect after 7 days constant exposure at 20oC |
N | No recommended. Immediate damage may occur |
Chemical compatibility
For a more detailed chemical resistance guide by chemical and application temperature, please refer to Chemical resistance guide or request a printed poster for your lab or contact Nalgene Technical Support.
E | No damage after 30 days constant exposure at 20 oC. |
G | Little or no damage after 30 days constant exposure at 20oC. |
F | Some effect after 7 days constant exposure at 20oC. |
N | Not recommended. Immediate damage may occur. |
General chemical compatibility
For a more detailed chemical resistance guide by chemical and application temperature, please refer to Chemical resistance guide or request a printed poster for your lab or contact Nalgene Technical Support.
E | No damage after 30 days constant exposure at 20 oC |
G | Little or no damage after 30 days constant exposure at 20oC |
F | Some effect after 7 days constant exposure at 20oC |
N | Not recommended. Immediate damage may occur |
General chemical compatibility
| Wide-Mouth Rectangular Bottle (2007-series) | Wide-Mouth Amber Rectangular Bottle (2009-series) |
Acids, dilute or weak | E | E |
Acids^ strong, concentrated | G | G |
Alcohols, aliphatic | E | E |
Aldehydes | G | G |
Bases/alkali | E | E |
Esters | G | G |
Hydrocarbons, aliphatic | G | G |
Hydrocarbons, aromatic | N | N |
Hydrocarbons, halogenated | N | N |
Ketones, aromatic | N | N |
Oxidizing agents, strong | F | F |
For a more detailed chemical resistance guide by chemical and application temperature, please refer to Chemical resistance guide or request a printed poster for your lab or contact Nalgene Technical Support.
E | No damage after 30 days constant exposure at 20 oC |
G | Little or no damage after 30 days constant exposure at 20oC |
F | Some effect after 7 days constant exposure at 20oC |
N | Not recommended. Immediate damage may occur |
Chemical compatibility
For a more detailed chemical resistance guide by chemical and application temperature, please refer to Chemical resistance guide or request a printed poster for your lab or contact Nalgene Technical Support.
E | No damage after 30 days constant exposure at 20 oC |
G | Little or no damage after 30 days constant exposure at 20oC |
F | Some effect after 7 days constant exposure at 20oC |
N | No recommended. Immediate damage may occur |
Chemical compatibility
For a more detailed chemical resistance guide by chemical and application temperature, please refer to Chemical resistance guide or request a printed poster for your lab or contact Nalgene Technical Support.
E | No damage after 30 days constant exposure at 20 oC. |
G | Little or no damage after 30 days constant exposure at 20oC. |
F | Some effect after 7 days constant exposure at 20oC. |
N | Not recommended. Immediate damage may occur. |
General chemical compatibility
For a more detailed chemical resistance guide by chemical and application temperature, please refer to Chemical resistance guide or request a printed poster for your lab or contact Nalgene Technical Support.
E | No damage after 30 days constant exposure at 20 oC |
G | Little or no damage after 30 days constant exposure at 20oC |
F | Some effect after 7 days constant exposure at 20oC |
N | Not recommended. Immediate damage may occur |
General chemical compatibility
| Wide-Mouth Rectangular Bottle (2007-series) | Wide-Mouth Amber Rectangular Bottle (2009-series) |
Acids, dilute or weak | E | E |
Acids^ strong, concentrated | G | G |
Alcohols, aliphatic | E | E |
Aldehydes | G | G |
Bases/alkali | E | E |
Esters | G | G |
Hydrocarbons, aliphatic | G | G |
Hydrocarbons, aromatic | N | N |
Hydrocarbons, halogenated | N | N |
Ketones, aromatic | N | N |
Oxidizing agents, strong | F | F |
For a more detailed chemical resistance guide by chemical and application temperature, please refer to Chemical resistance guide or request a printed poster for your lab or contact Nalgene Technical Support.
E | No damage after 30 days constant exposure at 20 oC |
G | Little or no damage after 30 days constant exposure at 20oC |
F | Some effect after 7 days constant exposure at 20oC |
N | Not recommended. Immediate damage may occur |
Footnote:
1. HDPE and LDPE are acceptable for: Nonacid, aqueous products; may contain salt, sugar or both (pH above 5.0). Dairy products and modifications; oil-in-water emulsions, high or low fat. Moist bakery products with surface containing no free fat or oil. Dry solids with the surfaces containing no free fat or oil (no end-test required) and under all conditions as described in Table 2 of FDA Regulation 177.1520 except condition A - high temperature sterilization (e.g. over 100° C / 212° F)
*The term “leakproof” applies to Thermo Scientific Nalgene products that meet the following criteria: a) Bottle/flask/funnel closure systems with closures smaller than 100mm, after they are filled with water, inverted, withstand air pressure of 2psig for 2 minutes, and no water escapes;. b) Bottle/funnel/flask closure systems of larger than 100mm after they are filled with water, inverted for 15 minutes, and no water escapes. Note: these tests, using other liquids, may not yield the same results. To ensure safe usage, customers are advised to test Thermo Scientific Nalgene bottles and closures under conditions of their planned applications. Thermo Scientific Nalgene products are leakproof at ambient temperature and pressure when used with their Nalgene closures.
^Except for oxidizing acids, see "Oxidizing acids, strong."
Technical support
For assistance choosing products appropriate for your application, please speak with a Nalgene Technical Support Representative team by phone at +1.585.586.8800 or (1.800.625.4327 US toll free), or email your request to
technicalsupport@thermofisher.com.
In Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom please contact technical support by phone at +800 1234 9696 (toll free) or +49.6184.90.6321, or email your request to techsupport.labproducts.eu@thermofisher.com.
Regulatory support: For regulatory documentation of product or material claims, please contact Nalgene Regulatory Support at RocRegSupport@thermofisher.com
ACT: Accountability. Consistency. Transparency.
When looking for sustainable products, we believe it should be easy to make informed purchasing decisions. We're working to provide more information about our products' environmental impact by participating in the ACT Label program with a selection of Thermo Scientific Nalgene and Matrix products. It's like an eco-nutrition label for sustainability.
Learn more