Summary
- HDPE is rated better with
- Ketones and aldehydes (+79 points); Esters and ethers (+70 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+55 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+43 points); Phenols (+40 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+33 points); Foods and beverages (+31 points); Alcohols and glycols (+29 points); Mineral acids (+28 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+23 points); Organic acids (+21 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; Halogenated hydrocarbons
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 %
Polystyrene
Polystyrene
Polystyrene is attacked by most organic solvents, including ketones, esters, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons. It is used for dilute aqueous solutions.
Rated rows: 504. A 45 %, B 8 %, C 8 %, D 39 %
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 | Polystyrene: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 79 % (56 rows) | 51 % (41 rows) |
| Organic acids | 95 % (58 rows) | 74 % (34 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 100 % (17 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (193 rows) | 100 % (88 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 78 % (40 rows) | 71 % (34 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 93 % (43 rows) | 64 % (36 rows) |
| Phenols | 62 % (8 rows) | 22 % (9 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 84 % (19 rows) | 5 % (21 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 73 % (37 rows) | 3 % (38 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 90 % (21 rows) | 47 % (15 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 33 % (9 rows) | 0 % (13 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 79 % (38 rows) | 24 % (38 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 71 % (21 rows) | 48 % (27 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 10 % (31 rows) | 0 % (36 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (32 rows) | 69 % (32 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 106 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | HDPE | Polystyrene |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Acetone | A | D | |
| Acetonitrile | A | D | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | D | |
| Amyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Aniline | A | D | |
| Anisole | 100 % | A | D |
| Benzaldehyde | A | D | |
| Benzyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | A | D | |
| Butane | technical grade | A | D |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | A | D |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | A | D |
| Decahydronaphthalene | A | D | |
| Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) | A | D | |
| Dibutyl Sebacate | technical grade | A | D |
| Diethyl Malonate | A | D | |
| Diethylene Glycol Ether | A | D | |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Ethyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Ethyl Chloroacetate | technical grade | A | D |
| Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate | A | D | |
| Formaldehyde Solution | 30 % | A | D |
| Formaldehyde Solution | 40 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 40 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | dilute | A | D |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 100 % | A | D |
| Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) | A | D | |
| Isopropyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Menthol | solid | A | D |
| Methoxyethyl Oleate | A | D | |
| Methyl Acetate | technical grade | A | D |
| Methyl Chloroacetate | technical grade | A | D |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) | A | D | |
| Methyl Glycol | 100 % | A | D |
| Methyl Propyl Ketone (2-Pentanone) | A | D | |
| Nitrotoluene | technical grade | A | D |
| n-Octane | 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 Polystyrene more chemical-resistant?
Of 415 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, HDPE and Polystyrene share the same rating in 230 rows (55 %). HDPE is rated better in 176 rows and Polystyrene in 9 rows.
How do HDPE and Polystyrene compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 415 chemicals tested for both: HDPE is rated better with Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Amines and nitrogen compounds. Polystyrene is rated better with –. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens, Halogenated hydrocarbons.
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.