Summary
- LDPE is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+95 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+49 points); Esters and ethers (+42 points); Organic acids (+24 points); Mineral acids (+18 points); Alcohols and glycols (+15 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic 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 %
Polysulfone
Polysulfone
Polysulfone withstands hot water and steam. Ketones, esters and chlorinated and aromatic solvents attack it.
Rated rows: 303. A 51 %, B 10 %, C 10 %, D 30 %
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 | Polysulfone: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 71 % (48 rows) | 53 % (34 rows) |
| Organic acids | 93 % (59 rows) | 69 % (26 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 100 % (15 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 99 % (187 rows) | 100 % (49 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 76 % (38 rows) | 67 % (15 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 89 % (46 rows) | 74 % (31 rows) |
| Phenols | 67 % (9 rows) | – |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 63 % (19 rows) | 14 % (14 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 68 % (41 rows) | 26 % (23 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 95 % (19 rows) | 0 % (8 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 20 % (10 rows) | 12 % (8 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 66 % (41 rows) | 75 % (24 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 63 % (19 rows) | – |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 11 % (36 rows) | 14 % (22 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (30 rows) | 100 % (9 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 68 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | LDPE | Polysulfone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetamide | saturated | A | D |
| Acetonitrile | A | D | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | D | |
| Alanine | A | D | |
| Aniline | A | D | |
| Benzyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Carbazole | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) | A | D | |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Ethyl Glycol | 100 % | D | A |
| Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate | A | D | |
| Furfuryl Alcohol | technical grade | A | D |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 70 % | A | D |
| Methoxyethyl Oleate | A | D | |
| n-Hexane | D | A | |
| p-Chloroacetophenone | A | D | |
| Phenol | 10 % | A | D |
| Propionic Acid | A | D | |
| Propionic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Resorcinol | 5 % | A | D |
| Resorcinol | saturated | A | D |
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | B | D |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | B | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | C |
| Amyl Acetate | B | D | |
| Amyl Alcohol (1-Pentanol) | A | C | |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | A | C |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | B | D |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | B | D |
| Butyric Acid | D | B | |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | B | D |
| Dibutyl Ether | technical grade | A | C |
| Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) | C | A | |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) | C | A | |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) | technical grade | C | A |
| Diethyl Ketone | B | D | |
| Diethyl Malonate | 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 Polysulfone more chemical-resistant?
Of 298 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, LDPE and Polysulfone share the same rating in 170 rows (57 %). LDPE is rated better in 100 rows and Polysulfone in 28 rows.
How do LDPE and Polysulfone compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 298 chemicals tested for both: LDPE is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds, Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, Organic acids. Polysulfone is rated better with –. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens, Aromatic hydrocarbons.
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.