Summary
- LDPE is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+95 points); Alcohols and glycols (+81 points); Esters and ethers (+64 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+63 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+49 points); Organic acids (+33 points); Mineral acids (+30 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+29 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+11 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; 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 %
PVC Flexible
Flexible (plasticised) polyvinyl chloride
Flexible PVC shares the solvent weaknesses of rigid PVC, and any liquid that extracts the plasticiser also hardens it. It is generally less resistant than rigid PVC.
Rated rows: 344. A 45 %, B 1 %, C 17 %, D 37 %
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 | PVC Flexible: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 71 % (48 rows) | 41 % (27 rows) |
| Organic acids | 93 % (59 rows) | 60 % (25 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 100 % (11 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 99 % (187 rows) | 96 % (81 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 76 % (38 rows) | 47 % (17 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 89 % (46 rows) | 8 % (26 rows) |
| Phenols | 67 % (9 rows) | – |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 63 % (19 rows) | 0 % (9 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 68 % (41 rows) | 4 % (25 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 95 % (19 rows) | 0 % (12 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 20 % (10 rows) | – |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 66 % (41 rows) | 17 % (23 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 63 % (19 rows) | – |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 11 % (36 rows) | 0 % (31 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (30 rows) | 93 % (14 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 100 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | LDPE | PVC Flexible |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Ethylhexanol | A | D | |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Acetophenone | A | D | |
| Acetylene | 100 % | A | D |
| Acrylonitrile | A | D | |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Aniline | A | D | |
| Butanetriol | 100 % | A | D |
| Butanol | technical grade | A | D |
| Butyl Glycol | 100 % | A | D |
| Butylphenol | 100 % | A | D |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Creosote | A | D | |
| Cyclohexanol | technical grade | A | D |
| Dibutyl Sebacate | technical grade | A | D |
| Dimethyl Phthalate (DMP) | 100 % | A | D |
| Dimethylamine | technical grade | A | D |
| Diphenyl Ether | A | D | |
| Epichlorohydrin | 100 % | A | D |
| Ethylenediamine | technical grade | A | D |
| Formamide | technical grade | A | D |
| Furfuryl Alcohol | technical grade | A | D |
| Iodine Tincture | A | D | |
| Isooctane | technical grade | A | D |
| Isopropanol | technical grade | A | D |
| Methyl Acetate | technical grade | A | D |
| Methyl Glycol | 100 % | A | D |
| Methylamine | 32 % | A | D |
| Morpholine | technical grade | A | D |
| Naphthalene | 100 % | A | D |
| Nitrotoluene | technical grade | A | D |
| Phosphorus Oxychloride | A | D | |
| Phosphorus Oxychloride | 100 % | A | D |
| Phosphorus Pentachloride | A | D | |
| Picric Acid | 1 % aqueous | A | D |
| Potassium Cyanide | saturated | A | D |
| Propene | A | D | |
| Propionic Acid | A | D | |
| Sodium Chlorite | dilute | A | D |
| Tributyl Phosphate | technical grade | 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 PVC Flexible more chemical-resistant?
Of 332 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, LDPE and PVC Flexible share the same rating in 189 rows (57 %). LDPE is rated better in 138 rows and PVC Flexible in 5 rows.
How do LDPE and PVC Flexible compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 332 chemicals tested for both: LDPE is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds, Alcohols and glycols, Esters and ethers, Ketones and aldehydes. PVC Flexible is rated better with –. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, 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.