Summary
- HDPE is rated better with
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+78 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+67 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+57 points); Phenols (+55 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+53 points); Organic acids (+48 points); Esters and ethers (+48 points); Alcohols and glycols (+40 points); Mineral acids (+39 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+33 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+13 points)
- EPDM is rated better with
- Halogenated hydrocarbons (+13 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; 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 %
EPDM
Ethylene propylene diene rubber
EPDM resists water, steam, alkalis, ketones and alcohols. Mineral oils, fuels and aromatic solvents swell it severely.
Rated rows: 976. A 44 %, B 9 %, C 20 %, D 28 %
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 | EPDM: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 79 % (56 rows) | 40 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 95 % (58 rows) | 47 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (193 rows) | 98 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 78 % (40 rows) | 65 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 93 % (43 rows) | 53 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 62 % (8 rows) | 7 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 84 % (19 rows) | 31 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 73 % (37 rows) | 25 % (72 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 90 % (21 rows) | 33 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 33 % (9 rows) | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 79 % (38 rows) | 1 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 71 % (21 rows) | 4 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 10 % (31 rows) | 23 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (32 rows) | 93 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 184 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | HDPE | EPDM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Acrylonitrile | A | D | |
| Aniline | A | D | |
| Anisole | 100 % | A | D |
| Beef Tallow Emulsion | sulfuriert | A | D |
| Benzenesulfonic Acid | saturated | A | D |
| Butane | technical grade | A | D |
| Butanetriol | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | A | D |
| Calcium Bisulfite | saturated | A | D |
| Calcium Bisulfite | aqueous | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Coal Tar Oil | 100 % | A | D |
| Coconut Oil | technical grade | A | D |
| Corn Germ Oil | technical grade | A | D |
| Creosote | A | D | |
| Cyclohexanol | technical grade | A | D |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | A | D |
| Decahydronaphthalene | A | D | |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | technical grade | A | D |
| Diesel Fuel | A | D | |
| Diesel Fuel | 100 % | A | D |
| Dipropylene Glycol | A | D | |
| HD Motor Oil, Aromatic-Free | A | D | |
| Hexanol | A | D | |
| Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) | A | D | |
| Isooctane | technical grade | A | D |
| Linseed Oil | technical grade | A | D |
| Lubricating Oil | A | D | |
| Maleic Acid | saturated | A | D |
| Maleic Acid | aqueous | A | D |
| Methane | technical grade | A | D |
| Methoxyethyl Oleate | A | D | |
| Methyl Dichloroacetate | A | D | |
| Mineral Oil | A | D | |
| Naphtha | A | D | |
| Naphthalene | A | D | |
| Nitrotoluene | technical grade | 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 EPDM more chemical-resistant?
Of 686 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, HDPE and EPDM share the same rating in 393 rows (57 %). HDPE is rated better in 276 rows and EPDM in 17 rows.
How do HDPE and EPDM compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 686 chemicals tested for both: HDPE is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Phenols. EPDM is rated better with Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, 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.