Summary
- PETG is rated better with
- Salts and salt solutions (+48 points); Alkalis (+21 points)
- Aluminium is rated better with
- Ketones and aldehydes (+76 points); Esters and ethers (+37 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+17 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+16 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Mineral acids; Organic acids; Alcohols and glycols; Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons; Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils; Halogenated hydrocarbons; 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 %
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 | PETG: rated A or B | Aluminium: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 20 % (41 rows) | 16 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 70 % (33 rows) | 67 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 45 % (20 rows) | 24 % (21 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (159 rows) | 52 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 29 % (38 rows) | 45 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 100 % (40 rows) | 98 % (59 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 86 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 21 % (24 rows) | 97 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 57 % (28 rows) | 94 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 78 % (9 rows) | 95 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | – | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 98 % (65 rows) | 100 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 100 % (34 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 32 % (25 rows) | 27 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (43 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 128 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PETG | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | D | A |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 100 % | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | D | A |
| Acetone | D | A | |
| Acetonitrile | D | A | |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Caraway | ground | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | D | A |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | D | A |
| Dichloromethane | 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 |
| Ethyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Ethylene Dichloride | D | A | |
| Heptanone | D | A | |
| Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) | D | A | |
| Isopropyl Methyl Ketone | D | A | |
| Mesityl Oxide | D | A | |
| Methyl Acrylate | D | A | |
| Methyl Butyl Ketone | D | A | |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) | D | A | |
| Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) | 100 % | D | A |
| Methyl Propyl Ketone (2-Pentanone) | D | A | |
| Nickel Acetate | aqueous | A | D |
| Nickel Nitrate | saturated | A | D |
| Nickel Sulfate | saturated | A | D |
| Nickel Sulfate | aqueous | 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 PETG or Aluminium more chemical-resistant?
Of 613 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PETG and Aluminium share the same rating in 341 rows (56 %). PETG is rated better in 133 rows and Aluminium in 139 rows.
How do PETG and Aluminium compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 613 chemicals tested for both: PETG is rated better with Salts and salt solutions, Alkalis. Aluminium is rated better with Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Oxidising agents and halogens. They perform similarly with Mineral acids, Organic acids, Alcohols and glycols, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons.
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.