Summary
- Nylon (PA) is rated better with
- Alkalis (+67 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+36 points); Salts and salt solutions (+26 points)
- Aluminium is rated better with
- Phenols (+78 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+45 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+44 points); Organic acids (+42 points); Alcohols and glycols (+31 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+19 points); Esters and ethers (+14 points); Mineral acids (+11 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Aromatic hydrocarbons; Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons; Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
Nylon (PA)
Polyamide (nylon)
Polyamide (nylon) resists fuels, oils and many solvents. Mineral acids, even dilute, and strong oxidisers attack it, and it absorbs water.
Rated rows: 945. A 44 %, B 21 %, C 17 %, D 18 %
Aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium relies on a thin oxide layer. Strong acids, strong alkalis and mercury compounds destroy that layer.
Rated rows: 968. A 60 %, B 9 %, C 16 %, D 16 %
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 | Nylon (PA): rated A or B | Aluminium: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 5 % (63 rows) | 16 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 25 % (63 rows) | 67 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 91 % (22 rows) | 24 % (21 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 78 % (194 rows) | 52 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 26 % (62 rows) | 45 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 67 % (58 rows) | 98 % (59 rows) |
| Phenols | 8 % (13 rows) | 86 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 53 % (32 rows) | 97 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 80 % (65 rows) | 94 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 50 % (34 rows) | 95 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 97 % (73 rows) | 100 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 98 % (46 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 63 % (70 rows) | 27 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 98 % (46 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 251 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Nylon (PA) | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | 10 % | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 100 % | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 5 % | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | D | A |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Aluminum Chloride | 10 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Nitrate | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate | any concentration | A | D |
| Ammonium Fluoride | saturated | A | D |
| Ammonium Fluoride | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Iron(III) Sulfate | saturated | A | D |
| Antimony Trichloride | anhydrous | D | A |
| Benzoyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | A | D |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | A | D |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | saturated | A | D |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Cetyl Alcohol | 100 % | D | A |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | D | A |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | D | A |
| Copper Sulfate (Copper Vitriol) | aqueous | A | D |
| Copper(II) Nitrate | saturated | A | D |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Developer Fluids | D | A | |
| Formic Acid | 98-100 % | D | A |
| Glycolic Acid | 37 % | D | A |
| Hydrazine | 10 % | D | A |
| Hydrazine Hydrate | aqueous | D | A |
| Hydroquinone | saturated | D | A |
| Iodine Tincture | D | A | |
| Iron Nitrate | saturated | A | D |
| Isopropyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Maleic Acid | saturated | D | A |
| Maleic Acid | aqueous | D | A |
| Mercury Nitrate | saturated | A | D |
| Methylamine | 32 % | D | A |
| Nickel Sulfate | saturated | 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 Nylon (PA) or Aluminium more chemical-resistant?
Of 938 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Nylon (PA) and Aluminium share the same rating in 417 rows (44 %). Nylon (PA) is rated better in 189 rows and Aluminium in 332 rows.
How do Nylon (PA) and Aluminium compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 938 chemicals tested for both: Nylon (PA) is rated better with Alkalis, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Salts and salt solutions. Aluminium is rated better with Phenols, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Ketones and aldehydes, Organic acids. They perform similarly with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, 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.