Summary
- PETG is rated better with
- Organic acids (+36 points); Salts and salt solutions (+24 points); Mineral acids (+15 points)
- Acetal (POM) is rated better with
- Ketones and aldehydes (+70 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+48 points); Esters and ethers (+31 points); Alkalis (+31 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+14 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alcohols and glycols; Amines and nitrogen compounds; 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
PETG
Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (co-polyester)
PETG is a co-polyester for clear containers. Strong acids and alkalis and most organic solvents attack it.
Rated rows: 619. A 55 %, B 23 %, C 4 %, D 18 %
Acetal (POM)
Polyoxymethylene (acetal)
Acetal (POM) resists many organic solvents and fuels. Strong acids and oxidising agents degrade it.
Rated rows: 956. A 41 %, B 32 %, C 12 %, D 15 %
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 | PETG: rated A or B | Acetal (POM): rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 20 % (41 rows) | 5 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 70 % (33 rows) | 34 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 45 % (20 rows) | 76 % (21 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (159 rows) | 76 % (197 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 29 % (38 rows) | 43 % (63 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 100 % (40 rows) | 96 % (57 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 21 % (24 rows) | 91 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 57 % (28 rows) | 88 % (68 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 78 % (9 rows) | 74 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | – | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 98 % (65 rows) | 96 % (73 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 100 % (34 rows) | 100 % (45 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 32 % (25 rows) | 80 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (43 rows) | 100 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 65 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PETG | Acetal (POM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetone | D | A | |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | D | A |
| Diethyl Ketone | D | A | |
| Diisobutyl Ketone | technical grade | D | A |
| Diisopropyl Ketone | D | A | |
| Diphenyl Ether | D | A | |
| Diphyl | D | A | |
| Dipropyl Ketone | D | A | |
| Ethyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Ethylene Dichloride | D | A | |
| Gear Oil, EP (Hypoid), 110°C | A | D | |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 30 % | A | D |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) | D | A | |
| Nitrogen Tetroxide | A | D | |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 1 % | D | A |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 10 % | D | A |
| Salicylic Acid | saturated | A | D |
| Sodium Bisulfite | aqueous | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 30 % | D | A |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 45 % | D | A |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 50 % | D | A |
| Sulfurous Acid | saturated | A | D |
| Tetrachloroethane | technical grade | D | A |
| 1,2-Dibromoethane | D | B | |
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | D | B |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | D | B |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | D | B |
| Allyl Chloride | 100 % | D | B |
| Bismuth Chloride | B | D | |
| Bromochloromethane | 100 % | A | C |
| Calcium Chloride | aqueous | A | C |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | saturated | C | A |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | aqueous | C | A |
| Decahydronaphthalene | C | A | |
| Dichloropropane | 100 % | D | B |
| Ethyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | B |
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 PETG or Acetal (POM) more chemical-resistant?
Of 608 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PETG and Acetal (POM) share the same rating in 352 rows (58 %). PETG is rated better in 136 rows and Acetal (POM) in 120 rows.
How do PETG and Acetal (POM) compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 608 chemicals tested for both: PETG is rated better with Organic acids, Salts and salt solutions, Mineral acids. Acetal (POM) is rated better with Ketones and aldehydes, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers, Alkalis. They perform similarly with Alcohols and glycols, Amines and nitrogen compounds, 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.