Summary
- HDPE is rated better with
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+49 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+47 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+42 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+40 points); Esters and ethers (+37 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+23 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+11 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Mineral acids; Organic acids; Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Alcohols and glycols; 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 %
PMP
Polymethylpentene (TPX)
Polymethylpentene (TPX) is a transparent polyolefin used for labware. It resists many acids and alkalis, while aromatic and chlorinated solvents and strong oxidisers attack it.
Rated rows: 416. A 55 %, B 6 %, C 7 %, D 32 %
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 | PMP: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 79 % (56 rows) | 71 % (35 rows) |
| Organic acids | 95 % (58 rows) | 85 % (26 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 100 % (17 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (193 rows) | 100 % (67 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 78 % (40 rows) | 67 % (30 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 93 % (43 rows) | 96 % (28 rows) |
| Phenols | 62 % (8 rows) | – |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 84 % (19 rows) | 37 % (27 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 73 % (37 rows) | 36 % (42 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 90 % (21 rows) | 50 % (10 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 33 % (9 rows) | 10 % (10 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 79 % (38 rows) | 30 % (37 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 71 % (21 rows) | 29 % (14 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 10 % (31 rows) | 3 % (33 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (32 rows) | 100 % (13 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 28 in total.
| Chemical | Concentration | HDPE | PMP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crotonaldehyde | technical grade | A | D |
| Decahydronaphthalene | A | D | |
| Diisobutyl Ketone | technical grade | A | D |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Epichlorohydrin | 100 % | A | D |
| Ethyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Ethyl Chloroacetate | technical grade | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 40 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | dilute | A | D |
| Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) | aqueous | A | D |
| Isooctane | technical grade | A | D |
| Methyl Acetate | technical grade | A | D |
| Methyl Chloroacetate | technical grade | A | D |
| Methyl Dichloroacetate | A | D | |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) | A | D | |
| Nitrotoluene | technical grade | A | D |
| Tetraethyl Lead | technical grade | A | D |
| White Spirit | A | D | |
| Acetic Acid | 10 % | A | C |
| Acetonitrile | A | C | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | C | |
| Cumene | B | D | |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | A | C |
| Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) | A | C | |
| Methyl Propyl Ketone (2-Pentanone) | A | C | |
| Ozone | C | A | |
| Pentane | A | C |
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 PMP more chemical-resistant?
Of 344 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, HDPE and PMP share the same rating in 256 rows (74 %). HDPE is rated better in 71 rows and PMP in 17 rows.
How do HDPE and PMP compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 344 chemicals tested for both: HDPE is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Ketones and aldehydes, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Amines and nitrogen compounds. PMP is rated better with –. They perform similarly with Mineral acids, Organic acids, Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions.
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.