ChemicalResistance
ChemicalResistance.org

PETG vs NBR: Chemical Resistance Compared

Of 618 source rows rated for both materials at 20 °C, 335 (54 %) have the same rating. PETG is rated better in 196 rows and NBR in 87. A row is one chemical at one concentration.

Summary

PETG is rated better with
Amines and nitrogen compounds (+65 points); Esters and ethers (+56 points); Alcohols and glycols (+55 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+39 points); Organic acids (+33 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+31 points); Salts and salt solutions (+18 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+14 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+12 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+12 points)
NBR is rated better with
Alkalis (+19 points)
Within 10 points of each other
Mineral acids; 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

NBR

Nitrile butadiene rubber

Nitrile rubber resists mineral oils and fuels. Ketones, esters, chlorinated solvents, strong oxidisers and ozone attack it.

Rated rows: 983. A 36 %, B 9 %, C 19 %, D 36 %

All chemicals for NBR

Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical class

PETG, NBR: Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical classMineral acids: PETG 20 %, NBR 13 %. Organic acids: PETG 70 %, NBR 37 %. Alkalis: PETG 45 %, NBR 64 %. Salts and salt solutions: PETG 100 %, NBR 82 %. Oxidising agents and halogens: PETG 29 %, NBR 15 %. Alcohols and glycols: PETG 100 %, NBR 45 %. Ketones and aldehydes: PETG 21 %, NBR 9 %. Esters and ethers: PETG 57 %, NBR 1 %. Amines and nitrogen compounds: PETG 78 %, NBR 13 %. Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons: PETG 98 %, NBR 59 %. Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils: PETG 100 %, NBR 69 %. Halogenated hydrocarbons: PETG 32 %, NBR 20 %. Foods and beverages: PETG 100 %, NBR 93 %.Mineral acidsMineral acids, PETG: 20 % (41)20 %Mineral acids, NBR: 13 % (63)13 %Organic acidsOrganic acids, PETG: 70 % (33)70 %Organic acids, NBR: 37 % (63)37 %AlkalisAlkalis, PETG: 45 % (20)45 %Alkalis, NBR: 64 % (22)64 %Salts and salt solutionsSalts and salt solutions, PETG: 100 % (159)100 %Salts and salt solutions, NBR: 82 % (198)82 %Oxidising agents and halogensOxidising agents and halogens, PETG: 29 % (38)29 %Oxidising agents and halogens, NBR: 15 % (62)15 %Alcohols and glycolsAlcohols and glycols, PETG: 100 % (40)100 %Alcohols and glycols, NBR: 45 % (58)45 %Ketones and aldehydesKetones and aldehydes, PETG: 21 % (24)21 %Ketones and aldehydes, NBR: 9 % (35)9 %Esters and ethersEsters and ethers, PETG: 57 % (28)57 %Esters and ethers, NBR: 1 % (76)1 %Amines and nitrogen compoundsAmines and nitrogen compounds, PETG: 78 % (9)78 %Amines and nitrogen compounds, NBR: 13 % (39)13 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbonsFuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, PETG: 98 % (65)98 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, NBR: 59 % (78)59 %Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oilsVegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, PETG: 100 % (34)100 %Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, NBR: 69 % (48)69 %Halogenated hydrocarbonsHalogenated hydrocarbons, PETG: 32 % (25)32 %Halogenated hydrocarbons, NBR: 20 % (71)20 %Foods and beveragesFoods and beverages, PETG: 100 % (43)100 %Foods and beverages, NBR: 93 % (46)93 %
PETGNBR
Rating at 20 °C. Only classes with at least 8 rated rows for both materials are shown.

How often the two ratings agree

PETG, NBR: How often the two ratings agreePETG A, NBR A: 202; PETG A, NBR B: 41; PETG A, NBR C: 53; PETG A, NBR D: 45; PETG B, NBR A: 72; PETG B, NBR B: 27; PETG B, NBR C: 27; PETG B, NBR D: 13; PETG C, NBR A: 1; PETG C, NBR C: 6; PETG C, NBR D: 17; PETG D, NBR B: 4; PETG D, NBR C: 10; PETG D, NBR D: 100.NBRABCDPETGAPETG A, NBR A: 202202PETG A, NBR B: 4141PETG A, NBR C: 5353PETG A, NBR D: 4545BPETG B, NBR A: 7272PETG B, NBR B: 2727PETG B, NBR C: 2727PETG B, NBR D: 1313CPETG C, NBR A: 11PETG C, NBR B: 00PETG C, NBR C: 66PETG C, NBR D: 1717DPETG D, NBR A: 00PETG D, NBR B: 44PETG D, NBR C: 1010PETG D, NBR D: 100100
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 BNBR: rated A or B
Mineral acids20 % (41 rows)13 % (63 rows)
Organic acids70 % (33 rows)37 % (63 rows)
Alkalis45 % (20 rows)64 % (22 rows)
Salts and salt solutions100 % (159 rows)82 % (198 rows)
Oxidising agents and halogens29 % (38 rows)15 % (62 rows)
Alcohols and glycols100 % (40 rows)45 % (58 rows)
Phenols–0 % (14 rows)
Ketones and aldehydes21 % (24 rows)9 % (35 rows)
Esters and ethers57 % (28 rows)1 % (76 rows)
Amines and nitrogen compounds78 % (9 rows)13 % (39 rows)
Aromatic hydrocarbons–7 % (14 rows)
Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons98 % (65 rows)59 % (78 rows)
Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils100 % (34 rows)69 % (48 rows)
Halogenated hydrocarbons32 % (25 rows)20 % (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: 116 in total, the first 40 shown.

ChemicalConcentrationPETGNBR
1,3-ButadieneAD
Amyl AcetateAD
Bitter Orange OilAD
Bromochloromethane100 %AD
Butyl Acrylate100 %AD
Butyl Stearate100 %AD
Carbon TetrachlorideAD
ChlorobenzeneAD
ChlorodifluoromethaneAD
Cocoa ButterAD
Dibutyl Ethertechnical gradeAD
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)AD
Diethyl Ethertechnical gradeAD
Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP)technical gradeAD
Dimethyl EthergasAD
Dimethylformamide (DMF)AD
DioxaneAD
Ethylene OxideAD
Fermentation MashAD
Formic Acid3 %AD
FurfuralAD
Furfuryl Alcoholtechnical gradeAD
Gear Oil, EP (Hypoid), 110°CAD
Hydrogen Peroxide30 %AD
Hydrogen SulfidesaturatedAD
HydroquinonesaturatedAD
Isopropyl Ethertechnical gradeAD
MethylcyclohexaneAD
MethylcyclopentaneAD
NaphthaAD
NitrobenzeneAD
Nitrogen TetroxideAD
Nitrotoluenetechnical gradeAD
Phthalic AcidsaturatedAD
Polyester ResinsAD
Potassium PerchlorateaqueousAD
PropeneAD
Styrene100 %AD
TarAD
Tetrahydrofuran (THF)AD

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 NBRLDPE vs PETGLDPE vs NBRPP vs PETGPP vs NBRPVC Rigid vs PETGPVC Rigid vs NBRPVC Flexible vs PETGPVC Flexible vs NBRPMP vs PETGPMP vs NBRPolystyrene vs PETGPolystyrene vs NBRSAN vs PETGSAN vs NBRPolycarbonate vs PETGPolycarbonate vs NBRPETG vs Acetal (POM)PETG vs Nylon (PA)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PETG or NBR more chemical-resistant?

Of 618 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PETG and NBR share the same rating in 335 rows (54 %). PETG is rated better in 196 rows and NBR in 87 rows.

How do PETG and NBR compare for chemical resistance?

Based on 618 chemicals tested for both: PETG is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds, Esters and ethers, Alcohols and glycols, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons. NBR is rated better with Alkalis. They perform similarly with Mineral acids, 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.