Summary
- LDPE is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+82 points); Phenols (+67 points); Esters and ethers (+67 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+61 points); Mineral acids (+58 points); Organic acids (+56 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+54 points); Alcohols and glycols (+44 points); Alkalis (+36 points); Salts and salt solutions (+17 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+13 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons; 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
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 %
NBR
Nitrile butadiene rubber
Nitrile rubber resists mineral oils and fuels. Ketones, esters, chlorinated solvents, strong oxidisers and ozone attack it.
Rated rows: 983. A 36 %, B 9 %, C 19 %, D 36 %
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 | LDPE: rated A or B | NBR: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 71 % (48 rows) | 13 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 93 % (59 rows) | 37 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 99 % (187 rows) | 82 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 76 % (38 rows) | 15 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 89 % (46 rows) | 45 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 67 % (9 rows) | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 63 % (19 rows) | 9 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 68 % (41 rows) | 1 % (76 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 95 % (19 rows) | 13 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 20 % (10 rows) | 7 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 66 % (41 rows) | 59 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 63 % (19 rows) | 69 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 11 % (36 rows) | 20 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (30 rows) | 93 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 241 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | LDPE | NBR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Acetonitrile | A | D | |
| Acetophenone | A | D | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | D | |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Ammonium Carbonate | 50 % | A | D |
| Ammonium Carbonate | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | A | D | |
| Amyl Phthalate | 100 % | A | D |
| Aniline | A | D | |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | A | D |
| Benzenesulfonic Acid | saturated | A | D |
| Benzyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Bisulfite Liquor with SO2 | saturated | A | D |
| Brake Fluid | A | D | |
| Butylphenol | 100 % | A | D |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | saturated | A | D |
| Calcium Nitrate | 50 % | A | D |
| Camphor Oil | D | A | |
| Chloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Coal Tar Oil | 100 % | A | D |
| Copper(II) Nitrate | saturated | A | D |
| Dibutyl Ether | technical grade | A | D |
| Dibutyl Sebacate | technical grade | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Diethanolamine | 100 % | A | D |
| Diglycolic Acid | 30 % | A | D |
| Diglycolic Acid | aqueous | A | D |
| Diisobutyl Ketone | technical grade | A | D |
| Dimethyl Phthalate (DMP) | 100 % | A | D |
| Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) | A | D | |
| Dimethylamine | technical grade | A | D |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Diphenyl Ether | A | D | |
| Epichlorohydrin | 100 % | 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 LDPE or NBR more chemical-resistant?
Of 676 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, LDPE and NBR share the same rating in 317 rows (47 %). LDPE is rated better in 342 rows and NBR in 17 rows.
How do LDPE and NBR compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 676 chemicals tested for both: LDPE is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds, Phenols, Esters and ethers, Oxidising agents and halogens. NBR is rated better with –. They perform similarly with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, 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.