Summary
- SS 316 is rated better with
- Alkalis (+76 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+61 points); Mineral acids (+49 points); Salts and salt solutions (+41 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+34 points); Organic acids (+31 points); Phenols (+14 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alcohols and glycols; Ketones and aldehydes; Esters and ethers; Amines and nitrogen compounds; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons; Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
Aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium relies on a thin oxide layer. Strong acids, strong alkalis and mercury compounds destroy that layer.
Rated rows: 968. A 60 %, B 9 %, C 16 %, D 16 %
SS 316
Stainless steel 1.4401 (AISI 316)
Stainless steel 316 (1.4401) contains molybdenum, which improves resistance to chlorides over 304. Hydrochloric acid and other halide acids still cause pitting.
Rated rows: 868. A 89 %, B 4 %, C 2 %, D 4 %
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 | Aluminium: rated A or B | SS 316: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 16 % (63 rows) | 65 % (60 rows) |
| Organic acids | 67 % (64 rows) | 98 % (55 rows) |
| Alkalis | 24 % (21 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 52 % (194 rows) | 93 % (175 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 45 % (62 rows) | 79 % (57 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 98 % (59 rows) | 100 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 86 % (14 rows) | 100 % (11 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 97 % (35 rows) | 100 % (33 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 94 % (71 rows) | 100 % (69 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 95 % (39 rows) | 95 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (78 rows) | 100 % (76 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 100 % (48 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 27 % (71 rows) | 88 % (24 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 96 % (46 rows) | 100 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 176 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Aluminium | SS 316 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Aluminum Nitrate | aqueous | D | A |
| Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate | any concentration | D | A |
| Ammonium Fluoride | saturated | D | A |
| Ammonium Fluoride | aqueous | D | A |
| Ammonium Iron(II) Sulfate | D | A | |
| Antimony Trichloride | anhydrous | A | D |
| Arsenic Acid | D | A | |
| Arsenic Acid | aqueous | D | A |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | D | A |
| Caraway | ground | D | A |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | D | A |
| Copper Acetate | aqueous | D | A |
| Copper Sulfate (Copper Vitriol) | aqueous | D | A |
| Copper(II) Nitrate | saturated | D | A |
| Copper(II) Nitrate | aqueous | D | A |
| Dehydroacetic Acid | D | A | |
| Fluorosilicic Acid | 32 % | D | A |
| Hydroxylammonium Sulfate | 12 % | D | A |
| Hydroxylammonium Sulfate | any concentration | D | A |
| Iron Nitrate | saturated | D | A |
| Iron Nitrate | aqueous | D | A |
| Ferrous Chloride (Iron(II) Chloride) | saturated | D | A |
| Ferrous Sulfate (Iron(II) Sulfate) | D | A | |
| Ferrous Sulfate (Iron(II) Sulfate) | saturated | D | A |
| Ferrous Sulfate (Iron(II) Sulfate) | aqueous | D | A |
| Iron(III) Sulfate | saturated | D | A |
| Lead(II) Acetate | D | A | |
| Lead(II) Acetate | aqueous | D | A |
| Mercury Nitrate | saturated | D | A |
| Mercury(II) Cyanide | saturated | D | A |
| Nickel Nitrate | saturated | D | A |
| Nickel Sulfate | saturated | D | A |
| Nickel Sulfate | aqueous | D | A |
| Nitric Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Nitric Acid | 66 % | D | A |
| Nitric Acid | 70 % | D | A |
| Phosphoric Acid | 1-5 % | D | A |
| Phosphoric Acid | 20 % | D | A |
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 Aluminium or SS 316 more chemical-resistant?
Of 858 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Aluminium and SS 316 share the same rating in 593 rows (69 %). Aluminium is rated better in 17 rows and SS 316 in 248 rows.
How do Aluminium and SS 316 compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 858 chemicals tested for both: Aluminium is rated better with –. SS 316 is rated better with Alkalis, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Mineral acids, Salts and salt solutions. They perform similarly with Alcohols and glycols, Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, Amines and nitrogen compounds.
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.