Summary
- Acetal (POM) is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+88 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+77 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+74 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+66 points); Esters and ethers (+62 points); Alcohols and glycols (+22 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+21 points)
- Polysulfone is rated better with
- Mineral acids (+48 points); Organic acids (+35 points); Salts and salt solutions (+24 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+24 points); Alkalis (+24 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
Acetal (POM)
Polyoxymethylene (acetal)
Acetal (POM) resists many organic solvents and fuels. Strong acids and oxidising agents degrade it.
Rated rows: 956. A 41 %, B 32 %, C 12 %, D 15 %
Polysulfone
Polysulfone
Polysulfone withstands hot water and steam. Ketones, esters and chlorinated and aromatic solvents attack it.
Rated rows: 303. A 51 %, B 10 %, C 10 %, D 30 %
Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical class
How often the two ratings agree
Chemical classes were assigned by this site, not by the source. Mixtures and trade products without a clear class are not counted.
By chemical class
| Chemical class | Acetal (POM): rated A or B | Polysulfone: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 5 % (63 rows) | 53 % (34 rows) |
| Organic acids | 34 % (64 rows) | 69 % (26 rows) |
| Alkalis | 76 % (21 rows) | 100 % (15 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 76 % (197 rows) | 100 % (49 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 43 % (63 rows) | 67 % (15 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 96 % (57 rows) | 74 % (31 rows) |
| Phenols | 0 % (14 rows) | – |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 91 % (35 rows) | 14 % (14 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 88 % (68 rows) | 26 % (23 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 74 % (38 rows) | 0 % (8 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (14 rows) | 12 % (8 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 96 % (73 rows) | 75 % (24 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 100 % (45 rows) | – |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 80 % (70 rows) | 14 % (22 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (46 rows) | 100 % (9 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 117 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Acetal (POM) | Polysulfone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetamide | saturated | A | D |
| Acetone | A | D | |
| Alanine | A | D | |
| Amyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Aniline | A | D | |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | D | A |
| Benzene | A | D | |
| Benzenesulfonic Acid | saturated | D | A |
| Benzyl Alcohol | A | D | |
| Bromobenzene | A | D | |
| Carbazole | A | D | |
| Chlorobenzene | A | D | |
| Chlorodifluoromethane | A | D | |
| Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride) | A | D | |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | D | A |
| Cyclohexane | A | D | |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | A | D |
| Decahydronaphthalene | A | D | |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | A | D |
| Diethyl Ketone | A | D | |
| Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) | A | D | |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Ethyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Ethylbenzene | A | D | |
| Ethylene Dichloride | A | D | |
| Furfuryl Alcohol | technical grade | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 1-5 % | D | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 20 % | D | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 35 % | D | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid | concentrated | D | A |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 30 % | D | A |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 90 % | D | A |
| Ferric Chloride (Iron(III) Chloride) | saturated | D | A |
| Isopropyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) | A | D | |
| Nitric Acid | 1-10 % | D | A |
| Oxalic Acid | D | A | |
| Ozone | D | A | |
| Perchloroethylene (PCE) | A | D |
Rating scale
- A very good resistance
- B good resistance
- C limited resistance
- D not resistant
- – no data
- K no general statement possible
A rating marked * is an estimate in the source, not a test result. An estimate is given as one value without a temperature.
More comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Acetal (POM) or Polysulfone more chemical-resistant?
Of 302 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Acetal (POM) and Polysulfone share the same rating in 127 rows (42 %). Acetal (POM) is rated better in 102 rows and Polysulfone in 73 rows.
How do Acetal (POM) and Polysulfone compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 302 chemicals tested for both: Acetal (POM) is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Ketones and aldehydes, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Halogenated hydrocarbons. Polysulfone is rated better with Mineral acids, Organic acids, Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens. They perform similarly with Foods and beverages.
About this data
The ratings come from the chemical resistance list published by Bürkle GmbH, which compiled them from raw-material manufacturers’ data. They describe laboratory tests on the raw material at 20 °C and 50 °C.
A finished part also sees pressure, mechanical stress, welds and mixtures that a laboratory test does not. Treat the rating as a first filter and test under your own conditions before relying on it.