Summary
- LDPE is rated better with
- Alkalis (+55 points); Mineral acids (+51 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+47 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+42 points); Organic acids (+23 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+17 points); Esters and ethers (+11 points)
- PETG is rated better with
- Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+37 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+32 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+21 points); Alcohols and glycols (+11 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- 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 %
PETG
Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (co-polyester)
PETG is a co-polyester for clear containers. Strong acids and alkalis and most organic solvents attack it.
Rated rows: 619. A 55 %, B 23 %, C 4 %, 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 | PETG: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 71 % (48 rows) | 20 % (41 rows) |
| Organic acids | 93 % (59 rows) | 70 % (33 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 45 % (20 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 99 % (187 rows) | 100 % (159 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 76 % (38 rows) | 29 % (38 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 89 % (46 rows) | 100 % (40 rows) |
| Phenols | 67 % (9 rows) | – |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 63 % (19 rows) | 21 % (24 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 68 % (41 rows) | 57 % (28 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 95 % (19 rows) | 78 % (9 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 20 % (10 rows) | – |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 66 % (41 rows) | 98 % (65 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 63 % (19 rows) | 100 % (34 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 11 % (36 rows) | 32 % (25 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (30 rows) | 100 % (43 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 92 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | LDPE | PETG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Acetonitrile | A | D | |
| Acetophenone | A | D | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | D | |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | A | D |
| Benzenesulfonic Acid | saturated | A | D |
| Bromochloromethane | 100 % | D | A |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Diisobutyl Ketone | technical grade | A | D |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Diphenyl Ether | A | D | |
| Ethyl Chloroacetate | technical grade | A | D |
| Fluorosilicic Acid | 32 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 40 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 35 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | concentrated | A | D |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 4 % | A | D |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 70 % | A | D |
| Methanesulfonic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| n-Hexane | D | A | |
| Nitrobenzene | D | A | |
| Phenol | 10 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 1 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 10 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 30 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 50 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | concentrated | A | D |
| Propane | gaseous | D | A |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 30 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 45 % | 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 PETG more chemical-resistant?
Of 483 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, LDPE and PETG share the same rating in 251 rows (52 %). LDPE is rated better in 185 rows and PETG in 47 rows.
How do LDPE and PETG compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 483 chemicals tested for both: LDPE is rated better with Alkalis, Mineral acids, Oxidising agents and halogens, Ketones and aldehydes. PETG is rated better with Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Alcohols and glycols. They perform similarly with 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.