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LDPE vs EPDM: Chemical Resistance Compared

Of 676 source rows rated for both materials at 20 °C, 396 (59 %) have the same rating. LDPE is rated better in 260 rows and EPDM in 20. A row is one chemical at one concentration.

Summary

LDPE is rated better with
Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+65 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+62 points); Phenols (+60 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+59 points); Organic acids (+46 points); Esters and ethers (+43 points); Alcohols and glycols (+36 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+32 points); Mineral acids (+31 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+20 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+11 points)
EPDM is rated better with
Halogenated hydrocarbons (+12 points)
Within 10 points of each other
Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Foods and beverages

Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.

The two materials

LDPE

Low-density polyethylene

Low-density polyethylene has a similar profile to HDPE but is softer and more permeable, so solvents swell it sooner. Continuous service is usually limited to about 60 °C.

Rated rows: 678. A 78 %, B 4 %, C 11 %, D 8 %

All chemicals for LDPE

EPDM

Ethylene propylene diene rubber

EPDM resists water, steam, alkalis, ketones and alcohols. Mineral oils, fuels and aromatic solvents swell it severely.

Rated rows: 976. A 44 %, B 9 %, C 20 %, D 28 %

All chemicals for EPDM

Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical class

LDPE, EPDM: Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical classMineral acids: LDPE 71 %, EPDM 40 %. Organic acids: LDPE 93 %, EPDM 47 %. Alkalis: LDPE 100 %, EPDM 100 %. Salts and salt solutions: LDPE 99 %, EPDM 98 %. Oxidising agents and halogens: LDPE 76 %, EPDM 65 %. Alcohols and glycols: LDPE 89 %, EPDM 53 %. Phenols: LDPE 67 %, EPDM 7 %. Ketones and aldehydes: LDPE 63 %, EPDM 31 %. Esters and ethers: LDPE 68 %, EPDM 25 %. Amines and nitrogen compounds: LDPE 95 %, EPDM 33 %. Aromatic hydrocarbons: LDPE 20 %, EPDM 0 %. Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons: LDPE 66 %, EPDM 1 %. Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils: LDPE 63 %, EPDM 4 %. Halogenated hydrocarbons: LDPE 11 %, EPDM 23 %. Foods and beverages: LDPE 100 %, EPDM 93 %.Mineral acidsMineral acids, LDPE: 71 % (48)71 %Mineral acids, EPDM: 40 % (63)40 %Organic acidsOrganic acids, LDPE: 93 % (59)93 %Organic acids, EPDM: 47 % (64)47 %AlkalisAlkalis, LDPE: 100 % (22)100 %Alkalis, EPDM: 100 % (22)100 %Salts and salt solutionsSalts and salt solutions, LDPE: 99 % (187)99 %Salts and salt solutions, EPDM: 98 % (198)98 %Oxidising agents and halogensOxidising agents and halogens, LDPE: 76 % (38)76 %Oxidising agents and halogens, EPDM: 65 % (62)65 %Alcohols and glycolsAlcohols and glycols, LDPE: 89 % (46)89 %Alcohols and glycols, EPDM: 53 % (58)53 %PhenolsPhenols, LDPE: 67 % (9)67 %Phenols, EPDM: 7 % (14)7 %Ketones and aldehydesKetones and aldehydes, LDPE: 63 % (19)63 %Ketones and aldehydes, EPDM: 31 % (35)31 %Esters and ethersEsters and ethers, LDPE: 68 % (41)68 %Esters and ethers, EPDM: 25 % (72)25 %Amines and nitrogen compoundsAmines and nitrogen compounds, LDPE: 95 % (19)95 %Amines and nitrogen compounds, EPDM: 33 % (39)33 %Aromatic hydrocarbonsAromatic hydrocarbons, LDPE: 20 % (10)20 %Aromatic hydrocarbons, EPDM: 0 % (14)0 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbonsFuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, LDPE: 66 % (41)66 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, EPDM: 1 % (78)1 %Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oilsVegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, LDPE: 63 % (19)63 %Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, EPDM: 4 % (48)4 %Halogenated hydrocarbonsHalogenated hydrocarbons, LDPE: 11 % (36)11 %Halogenated hydrocarbons, EPDM: 23 % (71)23 %Foods and beveragesFoods and beverages, LDPE: 100 % (30)100 %Foods and beverages, EPDM: 93 % (46)93 %
LDPEEPDM
Rating at 20 °C. Only classes with at least 8 rated rows for both materials are shown.

How often the two ratings agree

LDPE, EPDM: How often the two ratings agreeLDPE A, EPDM A: 335; LDPE A, EPDM B: 41; LDPE A, EPDM C: 93; LDPE A, EPDM D: 55; LDPE B, EPDM A: 1; LDPE B, EPDM B: 1; LDPE B, EPDM C: 14; LDPE B, EPDM D: 10; LDPE C, EPDM A: 9; LDPE C, EPDM B: 1; LDPE C, EPDM C: 17; LDPE C, EPDM D: 47; LDPE D, EPDM A: 2; LDPE D, EPDM C: 7; LDPE D, EPDM D: 43.EPDMABCDLDPEALDPE A, EPDM A: 335335LDPE A, EPDM B: 4141LDPE A, EPDM C: 9393LDPE A, EPDM D: 5555BLDPE B, EPDM A: 11LDPE B, EPDM B: 11LDPE B, EPDM C: 1414LDPE B, EPDM D: 1010CLDPE C, EPDM A: 99LDPE C, EPDM B: 11LDPE C, EPDM C: 1717LDPE C, EPDM D: 4747DLDPE D, EPDM A: 22LDPE D, EPDM B: 00LDPE D, EPDM C: 77LDPE D, EPDM D: 4343
Number of source rows for each pair of ratings at 20 °C. Outlined cells are rows where both materials have the same rating.

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 classLDPE: rated A or BEPDM: rated A or B
Mineral acids71 % (48 rows)40 % (63 rows)
Organic acids93 % (59 rows)47 % (64 rows)
Alkalis100 % (22 rows)100 % (22 rows)
Salts and salt solutions99 % (187 rows)98 % (198 rows)
Oxidising agents and halogens76 % (38 rows)65 % (62 rows)
Alcohols and glycols89 % (46 rows)53 % (58 rows)
Phenols67 % (9 rows)7 % (14 rows)
Ketones and aldehydes63 % (19 rows)31 % (35 rows)
Esters and ethers68 % (41 rows)25 % (72 rows)
Amines and nitrogen compounds95 % (19 rows)33 % (39 rows)
Aromatic hydrocarbons20 % (10 rows)0 % (14 rows)
Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons66 % (41 rows)1 % (78 rows)
Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils63 % (19 rows)4 % (48 rows)
Halogenated hydrocarbons11 % (36 rows)23 % (71 rows)
Foods and beverages100 % (30 rows)93 % (46 rows)

Where the ratings differ most

Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 169 in total, the first 40 shown.

ChemicalConcentrationLDPEEPDM
Acetic Acid50 %AD
Acetic Acid90 %AD
AcrylonitrileAD
AnilineAD
Benzenesulfonic AcidsaturatedAD
Butanetechnical gradeAD
Butylphenol100 %AD
Calcium BisulfitesaturatedAD
Calcium BisulfiteaqueousAD
Chromic Acid10 %AD
Chromic Acid20 %AD
Coal Tar Oil100 %AD
Coconut Oiltechnical gradeAD
CreosoteAD
Crude Oil100 %AD
Cyclohexanoltechnical gradeAD
Dibutyl Ethertechnical gradeAD
Dichloroacetic Acid50 %AD
Diesel Fuel100 %AD
Diphenyl EtherAD
Dipropylene GlycolAD
Fats, Cooking OilsAD
HD Motor Oil, Aromatic-FreeAD
HexanolAD
HydroquinonesaturatedAD
Isooctanetechnical gradeAD
Linseed Oiltechnical gradeAD
Machine Oil100 %AD
Maleic AcidsaturatedAD
Maleic AcidaqueousAD
Methoxyethyl OleateAD
NaphthaleneAD
Naphthalene100 %AD
Nitrotoluenetechnical gradeAD
n-OctaneAD
Oleic Acidtechnical gradeAD
Paraffins100 %AD
PentaneAD
Petroleum Ethertechnical gradeAD
Petroleum OilAD

Rating scale

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

HDPE vs LDPEHDPE vs EPDMLDPE vs PPLDPE vs PVC RigidLDPE vs PVC FlexibleLDPE vs PMPLDPE vs PolystyreneLDPE vs SANLDPE vs PolycarbonateLDPE vs PETGLDPE vs Acetal (POM)LDPE vs Nylon (PA)LDPE vs PolysulfoneLDPE vs PTFELDPE vs FEPLDPE vs PVDFLDPE vs ECTFE/ETFELDPE vs Viton (FPM)LDPE vs NBRLDPE vs Silicone

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LDPE or EPDM more chemical-resistant?

Of 676 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, LDPE and EPDM share the same rating in 396 rows (59 %). LDPE is rated better in 260 rows and EPDM in 20 rows.

How do LDPE and EPDM compare for chemical resistance?

Based on 676 chemicals tested for both: LDPE is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Phenols, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils. EPDM is rated better with Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, 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.