Summary
- HDPE is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+77 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+75 points); Esters and ethers (+72 points); Mineral acids (+66 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+63 points); Phenols (+62 points); Organic acids (+58 points); Alcohols and glycols (+48 points); Alkalis (+36 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+26 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+20 points); Salts and salt solutions (+18 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils; Halogenated hydrocarbons; 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 %
NBR
Nitrile butadiene rubber
Nitrile rubber resists mineral oils and fuels. Ketones, esters, chlorinated solvents, strong oxidisers and ozone attack it.
Rated rows: 983. A 36 %, B 9 %, C 19 %, D 36 %
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 | NBR: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 79 % (56 rows) | 13 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 95 % (58 rows) | 37 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (193 rows) | 82 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 78 % (40 rows) | 15 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 93 % (43 rows) | 45 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 62 % (8 rows) | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 84 % (19 rows) | 9 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 73 % (37 rows) | 1 % (76 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 90 % (21 rows) | 13 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 33 % (9 rows) | 7 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 79 % (38 rows) | 59 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 71 % (21 rows) | 69 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 10 % (31 rows) | 20 % (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: 259 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | HDPE | NBR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Acetone | A | D | |
| Acetonitrile | A | D | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | D | |
| Ammonium Carbonate | 50 % | A | D |
| Ammonium Carbonate | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | A | D | |
| Amyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Aniline | A | D | |
| Anisole | 100 % | A | D |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | A | D |
| Benzaldehyde | A | D | |
| Benzenesulfonic Acid | saturated | A | D |
| Benzyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Bisulfite Liquor with SO2 | saturated | A | D |
| Bitter Almond Oil | A | D | |
| Brake Fluid | A | D | |
| Butanetriol | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | A | D |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | saturated | A | D |
| Calcium Nitrate | 50 % | A | D |
| Camphor Oil | D | A | |
| Chloric Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Chloroethanol | technical grade | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Coal Tar Oil | 100 % | A | D |
| Copper(II) Nitrate | saturated | A | D |
| Crotonaldehyde | technical grade | A | D |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | A | D |
| Decahydronaphthalene | A | D | |
| Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) | A | D | |
| Dibutyl Sebacate | technical grade | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | technical grade | A | D |
| Diglycolic Acid | 30 % | A | D |
| Diglycolic Acid | aqueous | A | D |
| Diisobutyl Ketone | 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 NBR more chemical-resistant?
Of 686 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, HDPE and NBR share the same rating in 307 rows (45 %). HDPE is rated better in 360 rows and NBR in 19 rows.
How do HDPE and NBR compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 686 chemicals tested for both: HDPE is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds, Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, Mineral acids. NBR is rated better with –. They perform similarly with Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Halogenated hydrocarbons, 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.