Summary
- PETG is rated better with
- Organic acids (+45 points); Alcohols and glycols (+33 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+28 points); Salts and salt solutions (+22 points); Mineral acids (+15 points)
- Nylon (PA) is rated better with
- Alkalis (+46 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+32 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+31 points); Esters and ethers (+23 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Oxidising agents and halogens; 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 %
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 %
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 | Nylon (PA): rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 20 % (41 rows) | 5 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 70 % (33 rows) | 25 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 45 % (20 rows) | 91 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (159 rows) | 78 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 29 % (38 rows) | 26 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 100 % (40 rows) | 67 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 8 % (13 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 21 % (24 rows) | 53 % (32 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 57 % (28 rows) | 80 % (65 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 78 % (9 rows) | 50 % (34 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | – | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 98 % (65 rows) | 97 % (73 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 100 % (34 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 32 % (25 rows) | 63 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (43 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 92 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PETG | Nylon (PA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 5 % | A | D |
| Acetone | D | A | |
| Acetonitrile | D | A | |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Bromochloromethane | 100 % | A | D |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | A | D | |
| Cetyl Alcohol | 100 % | A | D |
| Chlorobenzene | A | D | |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | D | A |
| Developer Fluids | A | D | |
| Diphyl | D | A | |
| Ethyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Ethyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 30 % | A | D |
| Hydroquinone | saturated | A | D |
| Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) | D | A | |
| Isopropyl Ether | technical grade | A | D |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) | D | A | |
| Nitrobenzene | A | D | |
| Nitrotoluene | technical grade | A | D |
| Photo Developer | A | D | |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 1 % | D | A |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 10 % | D | A |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 30 % | D | A |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 50 % | D | A |
| Potassium Hydroxide | concentrated | D | A |
| Soap Solution | any concentration | A | D |
| Sodium Bisulfate | 10 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 30 % | D | A |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 45 % | D | A |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 50 % | D | A |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 60 % | D | A |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | concentrated | D | A |
| Sulfurous Acid | saturated | A | D |
| Vinegar | A | D | |
| 1,2-Dibromoethane | D | B | |
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | D | B |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | 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 Nylon (PA) more chemical-resistant?
Of 609 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PETG and Nylon (PA) share the same rating in 336 rows (55 %). PETG is rated better in 148 rows and Nylon (PA) in 125 rows.
How do PETG and Nylon (PA) compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 609 chemicals tested for both: PETG is rated better with Organic acids, Alcohols and glycols, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Salts and salt solutions. Nylon (PA) is rated better with Alkalis, Ketones and aldehydes, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers. They perform similarly with Oxidising agents and halogens, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, 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.