Summary
- LDPE is rated better with
- Organic acids (+68 points); Mineral acids (+66 points); Phenols (+59 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+50 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+45 points); Alcohols and glycols (+22 points); Salts and salt solutions (+21 points)
- Nylon (PA) is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+80 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+52 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+35 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+31 points); Esters and ethers (+12 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Ketones and aldehydes; 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 %
Nylon (PA)
Polyamide (nylon)
Polyamide (nylon) resists fuels, oils and many solvents. Mineral acids, even dilute, and strong oxidisers attack it, and it absorbs water.
Rated rows: 945. A 44 %, B 21 %, C 17 %, D 18 %
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 | Nylon (PA): rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 71 % (48 rows) | 5 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 93 % (59 rows) | 25 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 91 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 99 % (187 rows) | 78 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 76 % (38 rows) | 26 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 89 % (46 rows) | 67 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 67 % (9 rows) | 8 % (13 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 63 % (19 rows) | 53 % (32 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 68 % (41 rows) | 80 % (65 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 95 % (19 rows) | 50 % (34 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 20 % (10 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 66 % (41 rows) | 97 % (73 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 63 % (19 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 11 % (36 rows) | 63 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (30 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 230 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | LDPE | Nylon (PA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| Acetic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 5 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Antimony Trichloride | 90 % | A | D |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | A | D |
| Benzenesulfonic Acid | saturated | A | D |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Bromobenzene | D | A | |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | D | A |
| Cetyl Alcohol | 100 % | A | D |
| Chloramine-T | dilute | A | D |
| Chloric Acid | 1 % | A | D |
| Chloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Developer Fluids | A | D | |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Diethylbenzene | D | A | |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Epichlorohydrin | 100 % | A | D |
| Ethyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Fluorosilicic Acid | 32 % | A | D |
| Formic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Formic Acid | 98-100 % | A | D |
| Glycolic Acid | 70 % | A | D |
| Hydrazine | 10 % | A | D |
| Hydrazine Hydrate | aqueous | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 40 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | dilute | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 1-5 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 35 % | 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 Nylon (PA) more chemical-resistant?
Of 670 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, LDPE and Nylon (PA) share the same rating in 315 rows (47 %). LDPE is rated better in 272 rows and Nylon (PA) in 83 rows.
How do LDPE and Nylon (PA) compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 670 chemicals tested for both: LDPE is rated better with Organic acids, Mineral acids, Phenols, Oxidising agents and halogens. Nylon (PA) is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Ketones and aldehydes, 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.