Summary
- HDPE is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+90 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+70 points); Esters and ethers (+47 points); Organic acids (+26 points); Mineral acids (+26 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+21 points); Alcohols and glycols (+19 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+11 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons; 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 %
Polysulfone
Polysulfone
Polysulfone withstands hot water and steam. Ketones, esters and chlorinated and aromatic solvents attack it.
Rated rows: 303. A 51 %, B 10 %, C 10 %, D 30 %
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 | Polysulfone: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 79 % (56 rows) | 53 % (34 rows) |
| Organic acids | 95 % (58 rows) | 69 % (26 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 100 % (15 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (193 rows) | 100 % (49 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 78 % (40 rows) | 67 % (15 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 93 % (43 rows) | 74 % (31 rows) |
| Phenols | 62 % (8 rows) | – |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 84 % (19 rows) | 14 % (14 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 73 % (37 rows) | 26 % (23 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 90 % (21 rows) | 0 % (8 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 33 % (9 rows) | 12 % (8 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 79 % (38 rows) | 75 % (24 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 71 % (21 rows) | – |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 10 % (31 rows) | 14 % (22 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (32 rows) | 100 % (9 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 70 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | HDPE | Polysulfone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetamide | saturated | A | D |
| Acetone | A | D | |
| Acetonitrile | A | D | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | D | |
| Alanine | A | D | |
| Amyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Aniline | A | D | |
| Benzyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | A | D |
| Carbazole | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | A | D |
| Decahydronaphthalene | A | D | |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) | D | A | |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) | technical grade | D | A |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) | A | D | |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Ethyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate | A | D | |
| Furfuryl Alcohol | technical grade | A | D |
| Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) | A | D | |
| Isopropyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Methoxyethyl Oleate | A | D | |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) | A | D | |
| Methyl Propyl Ketone (2-Pentanone) | A | D | |
| p-Chloroacetophenone | A | D | |
| Phenol | 10 % | A | D |
| Propionic Acid | A | D | |
| Propionic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Pyridine | A | D | |
| Resorcinol | 5 % | A | D |
| Resorcinol | saturated | A | D |
| Trifluorotrichloroethane | 100 % | D | A |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | B | D | |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | C |
| Amyl Alcohol (1-Pentanol) | A | C | |
| Benzaldehyde | A | C | |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | 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 Polysulfone more chemical-resistant?
Of 290 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, HDPE and Polysulfone share the same rating in 157 rows (54 %). HDPE is rated better in 117 rows and Polysulfone in 16 rows.
How do HDPE and Polysulfone compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 290 chemicals tested for both: HDPE is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds, Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, Organic acids. Polysulfone is rated better with –. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, 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.