Summary
- Nylon (PA) is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+88 points); Esters and ethers (+54 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+50 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+49 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+39 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+22 points)
- Polysulfone is rated better with
- Mineral acids (+48 points); Organic acids (+44 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+41 points); Salts and salt solutions (+22 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Alcohols and glycols; 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 %
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 | Nylon (PA): rated A or B | Polysulfone: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 5 % (63 rows) | 53 % (34 rows) |
| Organic acids | 25 % (63 rows) | 69 % (26 rows) |
| Alkalis | 91 % (22 rows) | 100 % (15 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 78 % (194 rows) | 100 % (49 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 26 % (62 rows) | 67 % (15 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 67 % (58 rows) | 74 % (31 rows) |
| Phenols | 8 % (13 rows) | – |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 53 % (32 rows) | 14 % (14 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 80 % (65 rows) | 26 % (23 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 50 % (34 rows) | 0 % (8 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (14 rows) | 12 % (8 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 97 % (73 rows) | 75 % (24 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 98 % (46 rows) | – |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 63 % (70 rows) | 14 % (22 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 98 % (46 rows) | 100 % (9 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 104 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Nylon (PA) | Polysulfone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | A | D | |
| 1,3-Butadiene | A | D | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | A | D | |
| Acetamide | saturated | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 10 % | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 5 % | D | A |
| Acetone | A | D | |
| Acetonitrile | A | D | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | D | |
| Alanine | A | D | |
| Amyl Chloride | A | D | |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | D | A |
| Benzenesulfonic Acid | saturated | D | A |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | A | D |
| Bromobenzene | A | D | |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Cetyl Alcohol | 100 % | D | A |
| Chlorodifluoromethane | A | D | |
| Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride) | A | D | |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | D | A |
| Cyclohexane | A | D | |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | A | D |
| Decahydronaphthalene | A | D | |
| Developer Fluids | D | A | |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | A | D |
| Diethylbenzene | A | D | |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Ethyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Furfuryl Alcohol | technical grade | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 1-5 % | D | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 20 % | D | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 35 % | D | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid | concentrated | D | A |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 30 % | D | A |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 90 % | D | A |
| Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) | A | D | |
| Isopropyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Isopropyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Mercury(II) Chloride | aqueous | D | A |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) | 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 Polysulfone more chemical-resistant?
Of 300 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Nylon (PA) and Polysulfone share the same rating in 145 rows (48 %). Nylon (PA) is rated better in 86 rows and Polysulfone in 69 rows.
How do Nylon (PA) and Polysulfone compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 300 chemicals tested for both: Nylon (PA) is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Halogenated hydrocarbons. Polysulfone is rated better with Mineral acids, Organic acids, Oxidising agents and halogens, Salts and salt solutions. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Alcohols and glycols, 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.