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LDPE vs PP: Chemical Resistance Compared

Of 677 source rows rated for both materials at 20 °C, 588 (87 %) have the same rating. LDPE is rated better in 48 rows and PP in 41. A row is one chemical at one concentration.

Summary

LDPE is rated better with
Amines and nitrogen compounds (+16 points)
PP is rated better with
Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+12 points); Phenols (+12 points)
Within 10 points of each other
Mineral acids; Organic acids; Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; Alcohols and glycols; Ketones and aldehydes; Esters and ethers; 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 %

All chemicals for LDPE

PP

Polypropylene

Polypropylene resists most acids, alkalis and salt solutions. Concentrated oxidising acids, chlorinated solvents and aromatic hydrocarbons attack it, and it turns brittle below about 0 °C.

Rated rows: 978. A 66 %, B 11 %, C 15 %, D 8 %

All chemicals for PP

Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical class

LDPE, PP: Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical classMineral acids: LDPE 71 %, PP 70 %. Organic acids: LDPE 93 %, PP 97 %. Alkalis: LDPE 100 %, PP 100 %. Salts and salt solutions: LDPE 99 %, PP 99 %. Oxidising agents and halogens: LDPE 76 %, PP 72 %. Alcohols and glycols: LDPE 89 %, PP 93 %. Phenols: LDPE 67 %, PP 79 %. Ketones and aldehydes: LDPE 63 %, PP 69 %. Esters and ethers: LDPE 68 %, PP 63 %. Amines and nitrogen compounds: LDPE 95 %, PP 79 %. Aromatic hydrocarbons: LDPE 20 %, PP 14 %. Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons: LDPE 66 %, PP 63 %. Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils: LDPE 63 %, PP 75 %. Halogenated hydrocarbons: LDPE 11 %, PP 4 %. Foods and beverages: LDPE 100 %, PP 100 %.Mineral acidsMineral acids, LDPE: 71 % (48)71 %Mineral acids, PP: 70 % (63)70 %Organic acidsOrganic acids, LDPE: 93 % (59)93 %Organic acids, PP: 97 % (64)97 %AlkalisAlkalis, LDPE: 100 % (22)100 %Alkalis, PP: 100 % (22)100 %Salts and salt solutionsSalts and salt solutions, LDPE: 99 % (187)99 %Salts and salt solutions, PP: 99 % (198)99 %Oxidising agents and halogensOxidising agents and halogens, LDPE: 76 % (38)76 %Oxidising agents and halogens, PP: 72 % (61)72 %Alcohols and glycolsAlcohols and glycols, LDPE: 89 % (46)89 %Alcohols and glycols, PP: 93 % (59)93 %PhenolsPhenols, LDPE: 67 % (9)67 %Phenols, PP: 79 % (14)79 %Ketones and aldehydesKetones and aldehydes, LDPE: 63 % (19)63 %Ketones and aldehydes, PP: 69 % (35)69 %Esters and ethersEsters and ethers, LDPE: 68 % (41)68 %Esters and ethers, PP: 63 % (71)63 %Amines and nitrogen compoundsAmines and nitrogen compounds, LDPE: 95 % (19)95 %Amines and nitrogen compounds, PP: 79 % (39)79 %Aromatic hydrocarbonsAromatic hydrocarbons, LDPE: 20 % (10)20 %Aromatic hydrocarbons, PP: 14 % (14)14 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbonsFuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, LDPE: 66 % (41)66 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, PP: 63 % (78)63 %Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oilsVegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, LDPE: 63 % (19)63 %Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, PP: 75 % (48)75 %Halogenated hydrocarbonsHalogenated hydrocarbons, LDPE: 11 % (36)11 %Halogenated hydrocarbons, PP: 4 % (70)4 %Foods and beveragesFoods and beverages, LDPE: 100 % (30)100 %Foods and beverages, PP: 100 % (46)100 %
LDPEPP
Rating at 20 °C. Only classes with at least 8 rated rows for both materials are shown.

How often the two ratings agree

LDPE, PP: How often the two ratings agreeLDPE A, PP A: 502; LDPE A, PP B: 12; LDPE A, PP C: 9; LDPE A, PP D: 2; LDPE B, PP A: 5; LDPE B, PP B: 10; LDPE B, PP C: 10; LDPE B, PP D: 1; LDPE C, PP A: 18; LDPE C, PP B: 7; LDPE C, PP C: 35; LDPE C, PP D: 14; LDPE D, PP B: 5; LDPE D, PP C: 6; LDPE D, PP D: 41.PPABCDLDPEALDPE A, PP A: 502502LDPE A, PP B: 1212LDPE A, PP C: 99LDPE A, PP D: 22BLDPE B, PP A: 55LDPE B, PP B: 1010LDPE B, PP C: 1010LDPE B, PP D: 11CLDPE C, PP A: 1818LDPE C, PP B: 77LDPE C, PP C: 3535LDPE C, PP D: 1414DLDPE D, PP A: 00LDPE D, PP B: 55LDPE D, PP C: 66LDPE D, PP D: 4141
Number of source rows for each pair of ratings at 20 °C. Outlined cells are rows where both materials have the same rating.

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 classLDPE: rated A or BPP: rated A or B
Mineral acids71 % (48 rows)70 % (63 rows)
Organic acids93 % (59 rows)97 % (64 rows)
Alkalis100 % (22 rows)100 % (22 rows)
Salts and salt solutions99 % (187 rows)99 % (198 rows)
Oxidising agents and halogens76 % (38 rows)72 % (61 rows)
Alcohols and glycols89 % (46 rows)93 % (59 rows)
Phenols67 % (9 rows)79 % (14 rows)
Ketones and aldehydes63 % (19 rows)69 % (35 rows)
Esters and ethers68 % (41 rows)63 % (71 rows)
Amines and nitrogen compounds95 % (19 rows)79 % (39 rows)
Aromatic hydrocarbons20 % (10 rows)14 % (14 rows)
Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons66 % (41 rows)63 % (78 rows)
Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils63 % (19 rows)75 % (48 rows)
Halogenated hydrocarbons11 % (36 rows)4 % (70 rows)
Foods and beverages100 % (30 rows)100 % (46 rows)

Where the ratings differ most

Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 35 in total.

ChemicalConcentrationLDPEPP
Diphenyl EtherAD
Hydrogen Peroxide100 %AD
Acetic Anhydridetechnical gradeCA
AcetoneCA
AcetonitrileAC
AcrylonitrileAC
BenzaldehydeCA
Bitter Almond OilCA
Calcium SulfideCA
CamphorCA
Chloramine-TdiluteAC
Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride)technical gradeBD
Chromic Acid20 %AC
CreosoteAC
CresolDB
Dibutyl Ethertechnical gradeAC
Dichloroacetic Acidtechnical gradeCA
Ethyl Acetate100 %CA
Ethyl Glycol100 %DB
Fats, Cooking OilsAC
Heating OilCA
MentholsolidCA
Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)CA
n-HexaneDB
NaphthaCA
NitrobenzeneDB
PentaneAC
PerfumesCA
Petroleumtechnical gradeCA
Phenol100 %CA
PhosphatesaqueousAC
Phosphorus TrichlorideCA
PropanegaseousDB
Transformer OilCA
Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA)CA

Rating scale

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

HDPE vs LDPEHDPE vs PPLDPE vs PVC RigidLDPE vs PVC FlexibleLDPE vs PMPLDPE vs PolystyreneLDPE vs SANLDPE vs PolycarbonateLDPE vs PETGLDPE vs Acetal (POM)LDPE vs Nylon (PA)LDPE vs PolysulfoneLDPE vs PTFELDPE vs FEPLDPE vs PVDFLDPE vs ECTFE/ETFELDPE vs EPDMLDPE vs Viton (FPM)LDPE vs NBRLDPE vs Silicone

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LDPE or PP more chemical-resistant?

Of 677 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, LDPE and PP share the same rating in 588 rows (87 %). LDPE is rated better in 48 rows and PP in 41 rows.

How do LDPE and PP compare for chemical resistance?

Based on 677 chemicals tested for both: LDPE is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds. PP is rated better with Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Phenols. 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.