Summary
- SS 316 is rated better with
- Phenols (+92 points); Organic acids (+73 points); Mineral acids (+60 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+53 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+47 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+45 points); Alcohols and glycols (+33 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+25 points); Esters and ethers (+20 points); Salts and salt solutions (+15 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; 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 %
SS 316
Stainless steel 1.4401 (AISI 316)
Stainless steel 316 (1.4401) contains molybdenum, which improves resistance to chlorides over 304. Hydrochloric acid and other halide acids still cause pitting.
Rated rows: 868. A 89 %, B 4 %, C 2 %, D 4 %
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 | SS 316: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 5 % (63 rows) | 65 % (60 rows) |
| Organic acids | 25 % (63 rows) | 98 % (55 rows) |
| Alkalis | 91 % (22 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 78 % (194 rows) | 93 % (175 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 26 % (62 rows) | 79 % (57 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 67 % (58 rows) | 100 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 8 % (13 rows) | 100 % (11 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 53 % (32 rows) | 100 % (33 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 80 % (65 rows) | 100 % (69 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 50 % (34 rows) | 95 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 97 % (73 rows) | 100 % (76 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 98 % (46 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 63 % (70 rows) | 88 % (24 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 98 % (46 rows) | 100 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 232 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Nylon (PA) | SS 316 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Acetyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Benzenesulfonic Acid | saturated | D | A |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Calcium Chloride | alcoholic solution | D | A |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Cetyl Alcohol | 100 % | D | A |
| Chloramine-T | dilute | D | A |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Chloroethanol | technical grade | D | A |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | D | A |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | D | A |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Developer Fluids | D | A | |
| Fluorosilicic Acid | 32 % | D | A |
| Formic Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Formic Acid | 98-100 % | D | A |
| Glycolic Acid | 37 % | D | A |
| Glycolic Acid | 70 % | D | A |
| Hydrazine | 10 % | D | A |
| Hydrazine Hydrate | aqueous | D | A |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 100 % | D | A |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 30 % | D | A |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 90 % | D | A |
| Hydroquinone | saturated | D | A |
| Iodine Tincture | D | A | |
| Isopropyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Lysol | D | A | |
| Maleic Acid | saturated | D | A |
| Maleic Acid | aqueous | D | A |
| Methylamine | 32 % | D | A |
| Nitric Acid | 1-10 % | D | A |
| Nitric Acid | 50 % | D | 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 Nylon (PA) or SS 316 more chemical-resistant?
Of 837 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Nylon (PA) and SS 316 share the same rating in 400 rows (48 %). Nylon (PA) is rated better in 22 rows and SS 316 in 415 rows.
How do Nylon (PA) and SS 316 compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 837 chemicals tested for both: Nylon (PA) is rated better with –. SS 316 is rated better with Phenols, Organic acids, Mineral acids, Oxidising agents and halogens. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Aromatic hydrocarbons, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils.
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.