Summary
- HDPE is rated better with
- Alkalis (+76 points); Mineral acids (+63 points); Salts and salt solutions (+48 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+33 points); Organic acids (+28 points)
- Aluminium is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+67 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+29 points); Phenols (+24 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+21 points); Esters and ethers (+21 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+17 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+13 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alcohols and glycols; Amines and nitrogen compounds; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
HDPE
High-density polyethylene
High-density polyethylene resists most aqueous acids, alkalis and salt solutions. Strong oxidising acids, chlorinated solvents and aromatic hydrocarbons attack or swell it. Continuous service is usually limited to about 80 °C.
Rated rows: 686. A 82 %, B 3 %, C 9 %, D 6 %
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 %
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 | HDPE: rated A or B | Aluminium: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 79 % (56 rows) | 16 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 95 % (58 rows) | 67 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 24 % (21 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (193 rows) | 52 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 78 % (40 rows) | 45 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 93 % (43 rows) | 98 % (59 rows) |
| Phenols | 62 % (8 rows) | 86 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 84 % (19 rows) | 97 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 73 % (37 rows) | 94 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 90 % (21 rows) | 95 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 33 % (9 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 79 % (38 rows) | 100 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 71 % (21 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 10 % (31 rows) | 27 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (32 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 258 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | HDPE | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum Chloride | 10 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Chloride | solid | A | D |
| Aluminum Chloride | saturated | A | D |
| Aluminum Nitrate | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate | any concentration | A | D |
| Ammonium Fluoride | saturated | A | D |
| Ammonium Fluoride | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Iron(II) Sulfate | A | D | |
| Ammonium Iron(III) Sulfate | saturated | A | D |
| Aniline Hydrochloride | saturated | A | D |
| Antimony Trichloride | 90 % | A | D |
| Arsenic Acid | A | D | |
| Arsenic Acid | aqueous | A | D |
| Bismuth Chloride | A | D | |
| Butanetriol | 100 % | D | A |
| Butene | technical grade | D | A |
| Cadmium Bromide | A | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | saturated | A | D |
| Camphor Oil | D | A | |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chloric Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Copper Acetate | aqueous | A | D |
| Copper Sulfate (Copper Vitriol) | aqueous | A | D |
| Copper(II) Chloride | saturated | A | D |
| Copper(II) Nitrate | saturated | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | technical grade | A | D |
| Dichloromethane | D | A | |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Dimethyl Phthalate (DMP) | 100 % | D | A |
| Essential Oils | D | A | |
| Ethyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Fluorosilicic Acid | 32 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 40 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | dilute | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 1-5 % | 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 HDPE or Aluminium more chemical-resistant?
Of 681 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, HDPE and Aluminium share the same rating in 322 rows (47 %). HDPE is rated better in 262 rows and Aluminium in 97 rows.
How do HDPE and Aluminium compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 681 chemicals tested for both: HDPE is rated better with Alkalis, Mineral acids, Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens. Aluminium is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Phenols, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Alcohols and glycols, Amines and nitrogen compounds, 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.