Summary
- LDPE is rated better with
- Esters and ethers (+65 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+58 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+48 points); Phenols (+45 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+42 points); Foods and beverages (+31 points); Alcohols and glycols (+25 points); Mineral acids (+20 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+20 points); Organic acids (+19 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+15 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+11 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens
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 %
Polystyrene
Polystyrene
Polystyrene is attacked by most organic solvents, including ketones, esters, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons. It is used for dilute aqueous solutions.
Rated rows: 504. A 45 %, B 8 %, C 8 %, D 39 %
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 | Polystyrene: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 71 % (48 rows) | 51 % (41 rows) |
| Organic acids | 93 % (59 rows) | 74 % (34 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 100 % (17 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 99 % (187 rows) | 100 % (88 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 76 % (38 rows) | 71 % (34 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 89 % (46 rows) | 64 % (36 rows) |
| Phenols | 67 % (9 rows) | 22 % (9 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 63 % (19 rows) | 5 % (21 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 68 % (41 rows) | 3 % (38 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 95 % (19 rows) | 47 % (15 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 20 % (10 rows) | 0 % (13 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 66 % (41 rows) | 24 % (38 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 63 % (19 rows) | 48 % (27 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 11 % (36 rows) | 0 % (36 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (30 rows) | 69 % (32 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 89 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | LDPE | Polystyrene |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Acetonitrile | A | D | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | D | |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Amyl Phthalate | 100 % | A | D |
| Aniline | A | D | |
| Benzyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Butane | technical grade | A | D |
| Dibutyl Sebacate | technical grade | A | D |
| Diethyl Malonate | A | D | |
| Diethylene Glycol Ether | A | D | |
| Dimethyl Phthalate (DMP) | 100 % | A | D |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Diphenyl Ether | A | D | |
| Ethyl Chloroacetate | technical grade | A | D |
| Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate | A | D | |
| Formaldehyde Solution | 30 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 40 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | dilute | A | D |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 70 % | A | D |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 100 % | A | D |
| Hydroquinone | saturated | A | D |
| Methoxyethyl Oleate | A | D | |
| Methyl Acetate | technical grade | A | D |
| Methyl Glycol | 100 % | A | D |
| Nitrotoluene | technical grade | A | D |
| n-Octane | A | D | |
| p-Chloroacetophenone | A | D | |
| Petroleum Ether | technical grade | A | D |
| Phenol | 10 % | A | D |
| Propene | A | D | |
| Propionic Acid | A | D | |
| Propionic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Propylene Oxide | A | D | |
| Salicylaldehyde | A | D | |
| Tin(IV) Chloride | aqueous | A | D |
| Tricresyl Phosphate (TCP) | technical grade | A | D |
| 1-Ethylhexanol | A | C |
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 Polystyrene more chemical-resistant?
Of 426 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, LDPE and Polystyrene share the same rating in 243 rows (57 %). LDPE is rated better in 170 rows and Polystyrene in 13 rows.
How do LDPE and Polystyrene compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 426 chemicals tested for both: LDPE is rated better with Esters and ethers, Ketones and aldehydes, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Phenols. Polystyrene is rated better with –. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens.
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.