Summary
- HDPE is rated better with
- Alkalis (+82 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+77 points); Esters and ethers (+72 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+70 points); Phenols (+48 points); Mineral acids (+47 points); Organic acids (+41 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+33 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+24 points); Alcohols and glycols (+21 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+12 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Salts and salt solutions; 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 %
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is attacked by alkalis, amines, ketones, esters and many organic solvents, and it stress-cracks under load in contact with them.
Rated rows: 953. A 28 %, B 25 %, C 24 %, D 23 %
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 | Polycarbonate: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 79 % (56 rows) | 32 % (59 rows) |
| Organic acids | 95 % (58 rows) | 54 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 18 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (193 rows) | 91 % (197 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 78 % (40 rows) | 66 % (61 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 93 % (43 rows) | 72 % (57 rows) |
| Phenols | 62 % (8 rows) | 14 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 84 % (19 rows) | 14 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 73 % (37 rows) | 1 % (69 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 90 % (21 rows) | 13 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 33 % (9 rows) | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 79 % (38 rows) | 55 % (75 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 71 % (21 rows) | 73 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 10 % (31 rows) | 0 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (32 rows) | 91 % (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 | Polycarbonate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetamide | saturated | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Acetone | A | D | |
| Acetonitrile | A | D | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | D | |
| Alanine | A | D | |
| Ammonium Bifluoride | 50 % | A | D |
| Ammonium Fluoride | saturated | A | D |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | A | D | |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | 30 % | A | D |
| Ammonium Sulfide | any concentration | A | D |
| Amyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Aniline | A | D | |
| Anisole | 100 % | A | D |
| Benzaldehyde | A | D | |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | A | D |
| Benzoic Acid | aqueous | A | D |
| Bitter Almond Oil | A | D | |
| Brake Fluid | A | D | |
| Butene | technical grade | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | A | D |
| Calcium Hydroxide | concentrated | A | D |
| Calcium Hydroxide | aqueous | A | D |
| Carbazole | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Chloroethanol | technical grade | A | D |
| Crotonaldehyde | technical grade | A | D |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | A | D |
| Decahydronaphthalene | A | D | |
| Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) | A | D | |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | technical grade | A | D |
| Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) | A | D | |
| Dimethylamine | technical grade | A | D |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Epichlorohydrin | 100 % | A | D |
| Ethyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Ethyl Chloroacetate | technical grade | A | D |
| Hydrazine | 10 % | A | D |
| Hydrazine Hydrate | aqueous | 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 Polycarbonate more chemical-resistant?
Of 675 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, HDPE and Polycarbonate share the same rating in 284 rows (42 %). HDPE is rated better in 370 rows and Polycarbonate in 21 rows.
How do HDPE and Polycarbonate compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 675 chemicals tested for both: HDPE is rated better with Alkalis, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Esters and ethers, Ketones and aldehydes. Polycarbonate is rated better with –. They perform similarly with Salts and salt solutions, 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.