Summary
- LDPE is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+82 points); Alkalis (+82 points); Esters and ethers (+67 points); Phenols (+53 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+49 points); Organic acids (+39 points); Mineral acids (+39 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+20 points); Alcohols and glycols (+17 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+11 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+11 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils; 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 %
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is attacked by alkalis, amines, ketones, esters and many organic solvents, and it stress-cracks under load in contact with them.
Rated rows: 953. A 28 %, B 25 %, C 24 %, D 23 %
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 | Polycarbonate: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 71 % (48 rows) | 32 % (59 rows) |
| Organic acids | 93 % (59 rows) | 54 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 18 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 99 % (187 rows) | 91 % (197 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 76 % (38 rows) | 66 % (61 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 89 % (46 rows) | 72 % (57 rows) |
| Phenols | 67 % (9 rows) | 14 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 63 % (19 rows) | 14 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 68 % (41 rows) | 1 % (69 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 95 % (19 rows) | 13 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 20 % (10 rows) | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 66 % (41 rows) | 55 % (75 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 63 % (19 rows) | 73 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 11 % (36 rows) | 0 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (30 rows) | 91 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 176 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | LDPE | Polycarbonate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetamide | saturated | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Acetonitrile | A | D | |
| Acetophenone | A | D | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | D | |
| Alanine | A | D | |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Ammonium Bifluoride | 50 % | A | D |
| Ammonium Fluoride | saturated | A | D |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | A | D | |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | 30 % | A | D |
| Ammonium Sulfide | any concentration | A | D |
| Amyl Phthalate | 100 % | A | D |
| Aniline | A | D | |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | A | D |
| Benzoic Acid | aqueous | A | D |
| Brake Fluid | A | D | |
| Calcium Hydroxide | concentrated | A | D |
| Calcium Hydroxide | aqueous | A | D |
| Carbazole | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Dimethyl Phthalate (DMP) | 100 % | A | D |
| Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) | A | D | |
| Dimethylamine | technical grade | A | D |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Epichlorohydrin | 100 % | A | D |
| Ethyl Chloroacetate | technical grade | 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 | 35 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | concentrated | A | D |
| Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) | technical grade | A | D |
| Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) | aqueous | A | D |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 70 % | A | D |
| Methacrylic Acid | 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 Polycarbonate more chemical-resistant?
Of 673 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, LDPE and Polycarbonate share the same rating in 289 rows (43 %). LDPE is rated better in 359 rows and Polycarbonate in 25 rows.
How do LDPE and Polycarbonate compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 673 chemicals tested for both: LDPE is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds, Alkalis, Esters and ethers, Phenols. Polycarbonate is rated better with –. They perform similarly with Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, 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.