Summary
- LDPE is rated better with
- Esters and ethers (+68 points); Phenols (+42 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+42 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+39 points); Alcohols and glycols (+19 points); Foods and beverages (+18 points); Organic acids (+14 points)
- SAN is rated better with
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+13 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Mineral acids; Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils; Halogenated hydrocarbons
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 %
SAN
Styrene-acrylonitrile
Styrene-acrylonitrile resists oils and dilute acids better than polystyrene, but ketones, esters and aromatic and chlorinated solvents still attack it.
Rated rows: 364. A 67 %, B 0 %, C 9 %, D 24 %
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 | SAN: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 71 % (48 rows) | 61 % (18 rows) |
| Organic acids | 93 % (59 rows) | 79 % (24 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 100 % (8 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 99 % (187 rows) | 100 % (80 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 76 % (38 rows) | 73 % (26 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 89 % (46 rows) | 70 % (33 rows) |
| Phenols | 67 % (9 rows) | 25 % (8 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 63 % (19 rows) | 21 % (19 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 68 % (41 rows) | 0 % (19 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 95 % (19 rows) | 56 % (9 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 20 % (10 rows) | – |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 66 % (41 rows) | 79 % (24 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 63 % (19 rows) | 68 % (22 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 11 % (36 rows) | 5 % (20 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (30 rows) | 82 % (22 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 47 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | LDPE | SAN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Benzyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Brake Fluid | A | D | |
| Carbazole | A | D | |
| Dibutyl Sebacate | technical grade | A | D |
| Dimethyl Phthalate (DMP) | 100 % | A | D |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Diphenyl Ether | A | D | |
| Methyl Acetate | technical grade | A | D |
| n-Hexane | D | A | |
| Propylene Oxide | A | D | |
| Tricresyl Phosphate (TCP) | technical grade | A | D |
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | B | D |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | B | D |
| Acetylene | 100 % | A | C |
| Amyl Acetate | B | D | |
| Benzaldehyde | C | A | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | C | A | |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | B | D |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | B | D |
| Camphor | C | A | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | C | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | C |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | B | D |
| Cyclohexane | C | A | |
| Diethyl Ketone | B | D | |
| Dioxane | B | D | |
| Ethylene Dichloride | B | D | |
| Formic Acid | 98-100 % | A | C |
| Furfuryl Alcohol | technical grade | A | C |
| Heating Oil | C | A | |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 50 % | A | C |
| Iodine Tincture | A | C | |
| Isobutanol | A | C | |
| Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) | B | D | |
| Lanolin | technical grade | C | A |
| Methanol | A | C | |
| Methyl Propyl Ketone (2-Pentanone) | B | D | |
| Methylcyclohexane | C | A | |
| n-Heptane | C | A |
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 SAN more chemical-resistant?
Of 290 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, LDPE and SAN share the same rating in 213 rows (73 %). LDPE is rated better in 56 rows and SAN in 21 rows.
How do LDPE and SAN compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 290 chemicals tested for both: LDPE is rated better with Esters and ethers, Phenols, Ketones and aldehydes, Amines and nitrogen compounds. SAN is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Mineral acids, 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.