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Transparent & Lab Plastics Comparison Chart

When you need to see through the material — sight glasses, lab equipment, displays — chemical resistance becomes critical. These five transparent plastics vary widely in what they can handle.

A = Excellent B = Good C = Limited D = Not Recommended

All rated rows, by rating

All rated rows, by ratingPolycarbonate: A 28 %, B 25 %, C 24 %, D 23 %. PETG: A 55 %, B 23 %, C 4 %, D 18 %. PMP: A 55 %, B 6 %, C 7 %, D 32 %. Polysulfone: A 51 %, B 10 %, C 10 %, D 30 %. SAN: A 67 %, B 0 %, C 9 %, D 24 %.Polycarbonate (953)Polycarbonate: A 28 % (264)A 28 %Polycarbonate: B 25 % (239)B 25 %Polycarbonate: C 24 % (229)C 24 %Polycarbonate: D 23 % (221)D 23 %PETG (619)PETG: A 55 % (341)A 55 %PETG: B 23 % (140)B 23 %PETG: C 4 % (24)PETG: D 18 % (114)D 18 %PMP (416)PMP: A 55 % (228)A 55 %PMP: B 6 % (26)BPMP: C 7 % (30)CPMP: D 32 % (132)D 32 %Polysulfone (303)Polysulfone: A 51 % (155)A 51 %Polysulfone: B 10 % (29)BPolysulfone: C 10 % (29)CPolysulfone: D 30 % (90)D 30 %SAN (364)SAN: A 67 % (243)A 67 %SAN: B 0 % (1)SAN: C 9 % (34)CSAN: D 24 % (86)D 24 %
A very good resistanceB good resistanceC limited resistanceD not resistant
Share of each rating at 20 °C. The number in brackets is the number of rated source rows.

Share of rows rated A or B, by material and chemical class

Share of rows rated A or B, by material and chemical classMineral acids: Polycarbonate 32 %, PETG 20 %, PMP 71 %, Polysulfone 53 %, SAN 61 %. Organic acids: Polycarbonate 54 %, PETG 70 %, PMP 85 %, Polysulfone 69 %, SAN 79 %. Alkalis: Polycarbonate 18 %, PETG 45 %, PMP 100 %, Polysulfone 100 %, SAN 100 %. Salts and salt solutions: Polycarbonate 91 %, PETG 100 %, PMP 100 %, Polysulfone 100 %, SAN 100 %. Oxidising agents and halogens: Polycarbonate 66 %, PETG 29 %, PMP 67 %, Polysulfone 67 %, SAN 73 %. Alcohols and glycols: Polycarbonate 72 %, PETG 100 %, PMP 96 %, Polysulfone 74 %, SAN 70 %. Phenols: Polycarbonate 14 %, SAN 25 %. Ketones and aldehydes: Polycarbonate 14 %, PETG 21 %, PMP 37 %, Polysulfone 14 %, SAN 21 %. Esters and ethers: Polycarbonate 1 %, PETG 57 %, PMP 36 %, Polysulfone 26 %, SAN 0 %. Amines and nitrogen compounds: Polycarbonate 13 %, PETG 78 %, PMP 50 %, Polysulfone 0 %, SAN 56 %. Aromatic hydrocarbons: Polycarbonate 0 %, PMP 10 %, Polysulfone 12 %. Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons: Polycarbonate 55 %, PETG 98 %, PMP 30 %, Polysulfone 75 %, SAN 79 %. Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils: Polycarbonate 73 %, PETG 100 %, PMP 29 %, SAN 68 %. Halogenated hydrocarbons: Polycarbonate 0 %, PETG 32 %, PMP 3 %, Polysulfone 14 %, SAN 5 %. Foods and beverages: Polycarbonate 91 %, PETG 100 %, PMP 100 %, Polysulfone 100 %, SAN 82 %.PCPETGPMPPSUSANMineral acidsMineral acids, Polycarbonate: 32 % (59)32 %Mineral acids, PETG: 20 % (41)20 %Mineral acids, PMP: 71 % (35)71 %Mineral acids, Polysulfone: 53 % (34)53 %Mineral acids, SAN: 61 % (18)61 %Organic acidsOrganic acids, Polycarbonate: 54 % (63)54 %Organic acids, PETG: 70 % (33)70 %Organic acids, PMP: 85 % (26)85 %Organic acids, Polysulfone: 69 % (26)69 %Organic acids, SAN: 79 % (24)79 %AlkalisAlkalis, Polycarbonate: 18 % (22)18 %Alkalis, PETG: 45 % (20)45 %Alkalis, PMP: 100 % (17)100 %Alkalis, Polysulfone: 100 % (15)100 %Alkalis, SAN: 100 % (8)100 %SaltsSalts and salt solutions, Polycarbonate: 91 % (197)91 %Salts and salt solutions, PETG: 100 % (159)100 %Salts and salt solutions, PMP: 100 % (67)100 %Salts and salt solutions, Polysulfone: 100 % (49)100 %Salts and salt solutions, SAN: 100 % (80)100 %OxidisersOxidising agents and halogens, Polycarbonate: 66 % (61)66 %Oxidising agents and halogens, PETG: 29 % (38)29 %Oxidising agents and halogens, PMP: 67 % (30)67 %Oxidising agents and halogens, Polysulfone: 67 % (15)67 %Oxidising agents and halogens, SAN: 73 % (26)73 %AlcoholsAlcohols and glycols, Polycarbonate: 72 % (57)72 %Alcohols and glycols, PETG: 100 % (40)100 %Alcohols and glycols, PMP: 96 % (28)96 %Alcohols and glycols, Polysulfone: 74 % (31)74 %Alcohols and glycols, SAN: 70 % (33)70 %PhenolsPhenols, Polycarbonate: 14 % (14)14 %Phenols, PETG: no data–Phenols, PMP: no data–Phenols, Polysulfone: no data–Phenols, SAN: 25 % (8)25 %Ketones, aldehydesKetones and aldehydes, Polycarbonate: 14 % (35)14 %Ketones and aldehydes, PETG: 21 % (24)21 %Ketones and aldehydes, PMP: 37 % (27)37 %Ketones and aldehydes, Polysulfone: 14 % (14)14 %Ketones and aldehydes, SAN: 21 % (19)21 %Esters, ethersEsters and ethers, Polycarbonate: 1 % (69)1 %Esters and ethers, PETG: 57 % (28)57 %Esters and ethers, PMP: 36 % (42)36 %Esters and ethers, Polysulfone: 26 % (23)26 %Esters and ethers, SAN: 0 % (19)0 %AminesAmines and nitrogen compounds, Polycarbonate: 13 % (38)13 %Amines and nitrogen compounds, PETG: 78 % (9)78 %Amines and nitrogen compounds, PMP: 50 % (10)50 %Amines and nitrogen compounds, Polysulfone: 0 % (8)0 %Amines and nitrogen compounds, SAN: 56 % (9)56 %AromaticsAromatic hydrocarbons, Polycarbonate: 0 % (14)0 %Aromatic hydrocarbons, PETG: no data–Aromatic hydrocarbons, PMP: 10 % (10)10 %Aromatic hydrocarbons, Polysulfone: 12 % (8)12 %Aromatic hydrocarbons, SAN: no data–Fuels, mineral oilsFuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Polycarbonate: 55 % (75)55 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, PETG: 98 % (65)98 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, PMP: 30 % (37)30 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Polysulfone: 75 % (24)75 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, SAN: 79 % (24)79 %Vegetable oils, fatsVegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Polycarbonate: 73 % (48)73 %Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, PETG: 100 % (34)100 %Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, PMP: 29 % (14)29 %Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Polysulfone: no data–Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, SAN: 68 % (22)68 %HalogenatedHalogenated hydrocarbons, Polycarbonate: 0 % (70)0 %Halogenated hydrocarbons, PETG: 32 % (25)32 %Halogenated hydrocarbons, PMP: 3 % (33)3 %Halogenated hydrocarbons, Polysulfone: 14 % (22)14 %Halogenated hydrocarbons, SAN: 5 % (20)5 %FoodsFoods and beverages, Polycarbonate: 91 % (46)91 %Foods and beverages, PETG: 100 % (43)100 %Foods and beverages, PMP: 100 % (13)100 %Foods and beverages, Polysulfone: 100 % (9)100 %Foods and beverages, SAN: 82 % (22)82 %
0–19 %20–39 %40–59 %60–79 %80–100 %
Rating at 20 °C. A dash means fewer than 8 rated rows in that class.

Chemical classes were assigned by this site, not by the source. Mixtures and trade products without a clear class are not counted.

Showing 793 chemicals
Chemical Conc. PCPETGPMPPSUSAN
1,2-Dichlorobenzene
Dichlorbenzol, 1,2-
—DNRCDD
1,3-Butadiene
Butadien, 1,3-
—DADDNR
1,4-Dichlorobenzene
Dichlorbenzol, 1,4-
—DNRBDNR
1-Ethylhexanol
Ethylhexanol-1
—BAANRNR
1-Heptanol
Heptanol, 1-
—BANRNRA
1-Pentanethiol
Pentanthiol, 1-
—CNRDNRD
5-Hydroxymethylfurfural
Oxymethylfurfurol, 5-
—CNRNRNRD
Acetaldehyde
Acetaldehyd
40 %DDBDD
Acetaldehyde
Acetaldehyd
techn. reinDDBDD
Acetamide
Acetamid
gesättigtDNRADA
Acetic Acid
Essigsäure
10 %AACAA
Acetic Acid
Essigsäure
50 %ANRABNR
Acetic Acid
Essigsäure
90%DDACD
Acetic Acid
Essigsäure
100 %DDCNRNR
Acetone
Aceton
—DDBDD
Acetonitrile
Acetonitril
—DDCDNR
Acetylene
Acetylen
100 %AANRNRC
Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin)
Acetylsalicylsäure
100 %NRBNRNRA
Acrylonitrile
Acrylnitril
—DDCDNR
Adipic Acid
Adipinsäure
gesättigtABABNR
Alanine
Alanin
—DBADNR
Allspice
Piment
gemahlenDNRNRNRC
Allyl Alcohol
Allylalkohol
96 %CAABD
Allyl Mustard Oil
Allylsenföl
—DCDNRD
Aluminum Acetate Solution
Essigsaure Tonerde
gesättigtBBNRNRA
Aluminum Chloride
Aluminiumchlorid
10 %ABANRA
Aluminum Chloride
Aluminiumchlorid
gesättigtBNRNRNRA
Aluminum Fluoride
Aluminiumfluorid
wässrigBBANRNR
Aluminum Hydroxide
Aluminiumhydroxid
—AAABA
Aluminum Nitrate
Aluminiumnitrat
wässrigABAANR
Aluminum Sulfate
Aluminiumsulfat
10 %ABAANR
Ammonium Acetate
Ammoniumacetat
gesättigtABAANR
Ammonium Carbonate
Ammoniumcarbonat
50 %CNRAAA
Ammonium Carbonate
Ammoniumcarbonat
wässrigCBNRNRNR
Ammonium Chloride
Ammoniumchlorid
wässrigABAAA
Ammonium Chloride
Ammoniumchlorid
festABNRNRNR
Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate
Ammoniumdihydrogenphosphat
jedeBBAANR
Ammonium Fluoride
Ammoniumfluorid
wässrigCBNRNRNR
Ammonium Fluoride
Ammoniumfluorid
gesättigtDBANRNR
Ammonium Glycolate
Ammoniumglycolat
—BBABNR
Ammonium Heptamolybdate
Ammoniumheptamolybdat
—BBNRNRA
Ammonium Hydroxide
Ammoniumhydroxid
5 %CBABNR
Ammonium Hydroxide
Ammoniumhydroxid
30 %DBABNR
Ammonium Hydroxide
Ammoniumhydroxid
—DBABB
Ammonium Iron(II) Sulfate
Ammoniumeisen-(II)-sulfat
—BBNRNRA
Ammonium Nitrate
Ammoniumnitrat
10 %ABNRANR
Ammonium Nitrate
Ammoniumnitrat
gesättigtABAAA
Ammonium Oxalate
Ammoniumoxalat
—ABAANR
Ammonium Sulfate
Ammoniumsulfat
10 %ABAANR
Ammonium Sulfate
Ammoniumsulfat
gesättigtABAAA
Ammonium Sulfide
Ammoniumsulfid
jedeDNRANRNR
Ammonium Thiocyanate
Ammoniumthiocyanat
—ABANRA
Amyl Acetate
Amylacetat, n-
—DABDD
Amyl Alcohol
Amylalkohol, n-
—AABCNR
Aniline
Anilin
—DNRBDNR
Anise
Anis
—BBNRNRA
Anise Oil
Anisöl
—CNRDNRD
Anisole
Anisol
100 %DNRBNRNR
Aqua Regia
Königswasser
—DDCDC
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
Ascorbinsäure
wässrigBANRNRNR
Atropine Sulfate
Atropinsulfat
—ABNRNRA
Barium Bromide
Bariumbromid
—BANRNRA
Barium Chloride
Bariumchlorid
wässrigBANRNRNR
Barium Hydroxide
Bariumhydroxid
gesättigtCNRANRNR
Barium Sulfide
Bariumsulfid
gesättigtBBAANR
Battery Acid
Akkusäure
38 %ADAANR
Bay Laurel
Lorbeer
gemahlenBBNRNRA
Beef Tallow Emulsion
Rindertalg-Emulsion
sulfuriertBNRNRNRA
Benzaldehyde
Benzaldehyd
—DDACA
Benzene
Benzol
—DDBDNR
Benzenesulfonic Acid
Benzolsulfonsäure
gesättigtCDNRANR
Benzoic Acid
Benzoesäure
wässrigDANRNRNR
Benzoic Acid
Benzoesäure
gesättigtDAACA
Benzyl Acetate
Benzylacetat
—CNRADD
Bismuth Chloride
Bismutchlorid
—BBNRNRA
Bismuth Subnitrate
Bismutsubnitrat
—BBNRNRA
Bitter Almond Oil
Bittermandelöl
—DDACA
Bitter Orange Oil
Pomeranzenöl
—CACCNR
Bone Oil
Knochenöl
—BANRNRA
Brake Fluid
Bremsflüssigkeit
—DNRANRD

Frequently Asked Questions

Which transparent plastic has the best chemical resistance?
PMP (Polymethylpentene/TPX) offers the best balance of transparency and chemical resistance, plus it can be autoclaved. Polysulfone has excellent thermal stability and steam sterilizability. Polycarbonate has the best impact resistance but poor solvent resistance.
Can polycarbonate be used with chemicals?
Polycarbonate has limited chemical resistance. It is attacked by most solvents (acetone, MEK, toluene), strong alkalis, and many acids. It is best suited for applications where impact resistance is critical and chemical contact is minimal.

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