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PETG vs EPDM: Chemical Resistance Compared

Of 618 source rows rated for both materials at 20 °C, 260 (42 %) have the same rating. PETG is rated better in 190 rows and EPDM in 168. A row is one chemical at one concentration.

Summary

PETG is rated better with
Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+97 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+96 points); Alcohols and glycols (+47 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+45 points); Esters and ethers (+32 points); Organic acids (+23 points)
EPDM is rated better with
Alkalis (+55 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+36 points); Mineral acids (+20 points)
Within 10 points of each other
Salts and salt solutions; Ketones and aldehydes; 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 %

All chemicals for PETG

EPDM

Ethylene propylene diene rubber

EPDM resists water, steam, alkalis, ketones and alcohols. Mineral oils, fuels and aromatic solvents swell it severely.

Rated rows: 976. A 44 %, B 9 %, C 20 %, D 28 %

All chemicals for EPDM

Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical class

PETG, EPDM: Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical classMineral acids: PETG 20 %, EPDM 40 %. Organic acids: PETG 70 %, EPDM 47 %. Alkalis: PETG 45 %, EPDM 100 %. Salts and salt solutions: PETG 100 %, EPDM 98 %. Oxidising agents and halogens: PETG 29 %, EPDM 65 %. Alcohols and glycols: PETG 100 %, EPDM 53 %. Ketones and aldehydes: PETG 21 %, EPDM 31 %. Esters and ethers: PETG 57 %, EPDM 25 %. Amines and nitrogen compounds: PETG 78 %, EPDM 33 %. Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons: PETG 98 %, EPDM 1 %. Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils: PETG 100 %, EPDM 4 %. Halogenated hydrocarbons: PETG 32 %, EPDM 23 %. Foods and beverages: PETG 100 %, EPDM 93 %.Mineral acidsMineral acids, PETG: 20 % (41)20 %Mineral acids, EPDM: 40 % (63)40 %Organic acidsOrganic acids, PETG: 70 % (33)70 %Organic acids, EPDM: 47 % (64)47 %AlkalisAlkalis, PETG: 45 % (20)45 %Alkalis, EPDM: 100 % (22)100 %Salts and salt solutionsSalts and salt solutions, PETG: 100 % (159)100 %Salts and salt solutions, EPDM: 98 % (198)98 %Oxidising agents and halogensOxidising agents and halogens, PETG: 29 % (38)29 %Oxidising agents and halogens, EPDM: 65 % (62)65 %Alcohols and glycolsAlcohols and glycols, PETG: 100 % (40)100 %Alcohols and glycols, EPDM: 53 % (58)53 %Ketones and aldehydesKetones and aldehydes, PETG: 21 % (24)21 %Ketones and aldehydes, EPDM: 31 % (35)31 %Esters and ethersEsters and ethers, PETG: 57 % (28)57 %Esters and ethers, EPDM: 25 % (72)25 %Amines and nitrogen compoundsAmines and nitrogen compounds, PETG: 78 % (9)78 %Amines and nitrogen compounds, EPDM: 33 % (39)33 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbonsFuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, PETG: 98 % (65)98 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, EPDM: 1 % (78)1 %Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oilsVegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, PETG: 100 % (34)100 %Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, EPDM: 4 % (48)4 %Halogenated hydrocarbonsHalogenated hydrocarbons, PETG: 32 % (25)32 %Halogenated hydrocarbons, EPDM: 23 % (71)23 %Foods and beveragesFoods and beverages, PETG: 100 % (43)100 %Foods and beverages, EPDM: 93 % (46)93 %
PETGEPDM
Rating at 20 °C. Only classes with at least 8 rated rows for both materials are shown.

How often the two ratings agree

PETG, EPDM: How often the two ratings agreePETG A, EPDM A: 176; PETG A, EPDM B: 25; PETG A, EPDM C: 42; PETG A, EPDM D: 97; PETG B, EPDM A: 99; PETG B, EPDM B: 18; PETG B, EPDM C: 8; PETG B, EPDM D: 15; PETG C, EPDM A: 10; PETG C, EPDM B: 1; PETG C, EPDM C: 10; PETG C, EPDM D: 3; PETG D, EPDM A: 21; PETG D, EPDM B: 2; PETG D, EPDM C: 35; PETG D, EPDM D: 56.EPDMABCDPETGAPETG A, EPDM A: 176176PETG A, EPDM B: 2525PETG A, EPDM C: 4242PETG A, EPDM D: 9797BPETG B, EPDM A: 9999PETG B, EPDM B: 1818PETG B, EPDM C: 88PETG B, EPDM D: 1515CPETG C, EPDM A: 1010PETG C, EPDM B: 11PETG C, EPDM C: 1010PETG C, EPDM D: 33DPETG D, EPDM A: 2121PETG D, EPDM B: 22PETG D, EPDM C: 3535PETG D, EPDM D: 5656
Number of source rows for each pair of ratings at 20 °C. Outlined cells are rows where both materials have the same rating.

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 classPETG: rated A or BEPDM: rated A or B
Mineral acids20 % (41 rows)40 % (63 rows)
Organic acids70 % (33 rows)47 % (64 rows)
Alkalis45 % (20 rows)100 % (22 rows)
Salts and salt solutions100 % (159 rows)98 % (198 rows)
Oxidising agents and halogens29 % (38 rows)65 % (62 rows)
Alcohols and glycols100 % (40 rows)53 % (58 rows)
Phenols–7 % (14 rows)
Ketones and aldehydes21 % (24 rows)31 % (35 rows)
Esters and ethers57 % (28 rows)25 % (72 rows)
Amines and nitrogen compounds78 % (9 rows)33 % (39 rows)
Aromatic hydrocarbons–0 % (14 rows)
Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons98 % (65 rows)1 % (78 rows)
Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils100 % (34 rows)4 % (48 rows)
Halogenated hydrocarbons32 % (25 rows)23 % (71 rows)
Foods and beverages100 % (43 rows)93 % (46 rows)

Where the ratings differ most

Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 187 in total, the first 40 shown.

ChemicalConcentrationPETGEPDM
1,3-ButadieneAD
1-HeptanolAD
AcetoneDA
AcetophenoneDA
Almond OilAD
Battery Acid38 %DA
Beef TallowAD
Bitter Orange OilAD
Bone OilAD
Bromochloromethane100 %AD
Butanetechnical gradeAD
Butyl Acrylate100 %AD
Butyl Stearate100 %AD
Carbon TetrachlorideAD
ChloroacetoneDA
ChlorobenzeneAD
Cocoa ButterAD
Coconut FatAD
Coconut Oiltechnical gradeAD
Corn Germ Oiltechnical gradeAD
Crude OilAD
Crude Oil100 %AD
CyclohexaneAD
DecaneAD
Dibutyl Ethertechnical gradeAD
Diesel FuelAD
Diesel Fuel100 %AD
Diethyl Ethertechnical gradeAD
Diisopropyl KetoneDA
Ethylene OxideAD
Fats, Cooking OilsAD
Gas OilAD
Gear Oil, EP (Hypoid), 110°CAD
GreaseAD
GreaseAD
GreaseAD
HD Motor Oil, Aromatic-FreeAD
Heating OilAD
HexanolAD
HexeneAD

Rating scale

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

HDPE vs PETGHDPE vs EPDMLDPE vs PETGLDPE vs EPDMPP vs PETGPP vs EPDMPVC Rigid vs PETGPVC Rigid vs EPDMPVC Flexible vs PETGPVC Flexible vs EPDMPMP vs PETGPMP vs EPDMPolystyrene vs PETGPolystyrene vs EPDMSAN vs PETGSAN vs EPDMPolycarbonate vs PETGPolycarbonate vs EPDMPETG vs Acetal (POM)PETG vs Nylon (PA)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PETG or EPDM more chemical-resistant?

Of 618 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PETG and EPDM share the same rating in 260 rows (42 %). PETG is rated better in 190 rows and EPDM in 168 rows.

How do PETG and EPDM compare for chemical resistance?

Based on 618 chemicals tested for both: PETG is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Alcohols and glycols, Amines and nitrogen compounds. EPDM is rated better with Alkalis, Oxidising agents and halogens, Mineral acids. They perform similarly with Salts and salt solutions, Ketones and aldehydes, Halogenated hydrocarbons, 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.