Summary
- LDPE is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+45 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+36 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+34 points); Esters and ethers (+32 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+26 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Mineral acids; Organic acids; Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; Alcohols and glycols; Aromatic hydrocarbons; 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 %
PMP
Polymethylpentene (TPX)
Polymethylpentene (TPX) is a transparent polyolefin used for labware. It resists many acids and alkalis, while aromatic and chlorinated solvents and strong oxidisers attack it.
Rated rows: 416. A 55 %, B 6 %, C 7 %, D 32 %
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 | PMP: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 71 % (48 rows) | 71 % (35 rows) |
| Organic acids | 93 % (59 rows) | 85 % (26 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 100 % (17 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 99 % (187 rows) | 100 % (67 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 76 % (38 rows) | 67 % (30 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 89 % (46 rows) | 96 % (28 rows) |
| Phenols | 67 % (9 rows) | – |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 63 % (19 rows) | 37 % (27 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 68 % (41 rows) | 36 % (42 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 95 % (19 rows) | 50 % (10 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 20 % (10 rows) | 10 % (10 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 66 % (41 rows) | 30 % (37 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 63 % (19 rows) | 29 % (14 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 11 % (36 rows) | 3 % (33 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (30 rows) | 100 % (13 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 31 in total.
| Chemical | Concentration | LDPE | PMP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetophenone | A | D | |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Dibutyl Ether | technical grade | A | D |
| Diisobutyl Ketone | technical grade | A | D |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Epichlorohydrin | 100 % | A | D |
| Ethyl Chloroacetate | technical grade | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 40 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | dilute | A | D |
| Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) | aqueous | A | D |
| Isooctane | technical grade | A | D |
| Methyl Acetate | technical grade | A | D |
| Nitrotoluene | technical grade | A | D |
| Tetraethyl Lead | technical grade | A | D |
| Vinyl Acetate | technical grade | A | D |
| White Spirit | A | D | |
| Acetic Acid | 10 % | A | C |
| Acetonitrile | A | C | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | C | |
| Allyl Alcohol | 96 % | C | A |
| Benzaldehyde | C | A | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | C | A | |
| Butylphenol | 100 % | A | C |
| Ethylene Dichloride | B | D | |
| Naphtha | C | A | |
| Ozone | C | A | |
| Pentane | A | C | |
| Phenol | 100 % | C | A |
| Transformer Oil | C | A | |
| White Spirit | liquid | B | 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 PMP more chemical-resistant?
Of 349 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, LDPE and PMP share the same rating in 269 rows (77 %). LDPE is rated better in 46 rows and PMP in 34 rows.
How do LDPE and PMP compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 349 chemicals tested for both: LDPE is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Esters and ethers. PMP is rated better with –. They perform similarly with Mineral acids, Organic acids, Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions.
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.