Summary
- HDPE is rated better with
- Mineral acids (+74 points); Organic acids (+70 points); Phenols (+54 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+52 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+40 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+31 points); Alcohols and glycols (+26 points); Salts and salt solutions (+22 points)
- Nylon (PA) is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+67 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+53 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+27 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+18 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Esters and ethers; 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 %
Nylon (PA)
Polyamide (nylon)
Polyamide (nylon) resists fuels, oils and many solvents. Mineral acids, even dilute, and strong oxidisers attack it, and it absorbs water.
Rated rows: 945. A 44 %, B 21 %, C 17 %, D 18 %
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 | Nylon (PA): rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 79 % (56 rows) | 5 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 95 % (58 rows) | 25 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 91 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (193 rows) | 78 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 78 % (40 rows) | 26 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 93 % (43 rows) | 67 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 62 % (8 rows) | 8 % (13 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 84 % (19 rows) | 53 % (32 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 73 % (37 rows) | 80 % (65 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 90 % (21 rows) | 50 % (34 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 33 % (9 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 79 % (38 rows) | 97 % (73 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 71 % (21 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 10 % (31 rows) | 63 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (32 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 230 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | HDPE | Nylon (PA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 5 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Antimony Trichloride | 90 % | A | D |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | A | D |
| Benzenesulfonic Acid | saturated | A | D |
| Butanetriol | 100 % | D | A |
| Butene | technical grade | D | A |
| Calcium Chloride | alcoholic solution | A | D |
| Cetyl Alcohol | 100 % | A | D |
| Chloramine-T | dilute | A | D |
| Chloric Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Chloroethanol | technical grade | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Developer Fluids | A | D | |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | technical grade | A | D |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) | D | A | |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) | technical grade | D | A |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Epichlorohydrin | 100 % | A | D |
| Ethyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Fluorosilicic Acid | 32 % | A | D |
| Formic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Formic Acid | 98-100 % | A | D |
| Glycolic Acid | 37 % | A | D |
| Glycolic Acid | 70 % | A | D |
| Hydrazine | 10 % | A | D |
| Hydrazine Hydrate | aqueous | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 40 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | dilute | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 1-5 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 35 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | concentrated | A | D |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 4 % | 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 Nylon (PA) more chemical-resistant?
Of 678 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, HDPE and Nylon (PA) share the same rating in 319 rows (47 %). HDPE is rated better in 297 rows and Nylon (PA) in 62 rows.
How do HDPE and Nylon (PA) compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 678 chemicals tested for both: HDPE is rated better with Mineral acids, Organic acids, Phenols, Oxidising agents and halogens. Nylon (PA) is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Esters and ethers, 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.