Summary
- PETG is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+78 points); Esters and ethers (+31 points); Alcohols and glycols (+26 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+23 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+18 points)
- Polysulfone is rated better with
- Alkalis (+55 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+38 points); Mineral acids (+33 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Organic acids; Salts and salt solutions; Ketones and aldehydes; 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 %
Polysulfone
Polysulfone
Polysulfone withstands hot water and steam. Ketones, esters and chlorinated and aromatic solvents attack it.
Rated rows: 303. A 51 %, B 10 %, C 10 %, D 30 %
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 | Polysulfone: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 20 % (41 rows) | 53 % (34 rows) |
| Organic acids | 70 % (33 rows) | 69 % (26 rows) |
| Alkalis | 45 % (20 rows) | 100 % (15 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (159 rows) | 100 % (49 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 29 % (38 rows) | 67 % (15 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 100 % (40 rows) | 74 % (31 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 21 % (24 rows) | 14 % (14 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 57 % (28 rows) | 26 % (23 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 78 % (9 rows) | 0 % (8 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | – | 12 % (8 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 98 % (65 rows) | 75 % (24 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 100 % (34 rows) | – |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 32 % (25 rows) | 14 % (22 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (43 rows) | 100 % (9 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 50 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PETG | Polysulfone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,3-Butadiene | A | D | |
| Amyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | D | A |
| Benzenesulfonic Acid | saturated | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | A | D |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | A | D | |
| Chlorobenzene | A | D | |
| Chlorodifluoromethane | A | D | |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | D | A |
| Cyclohexane | A | D | |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | A | D |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Furfuryl Alcohol | technical grade | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 35 % | D | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid | concentrated | D | A |
| Nitrobenzene | A | D | |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 1 % | D | A |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 30 % | D | A |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 50 % | D | A |
| Potassium Hydroxide | concentrated | D | A |
| 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 |
| Sulfuric Acid | 60 % | D | A |
| Tetrahydrofuran (THF) | A | D | |
| Tetrahydronaphthalene | technical grade | A | D |
| Toluene | A | D | |
| Turpentine Oil | A | D | |
| Alanine | B | D | |
| Amyl Alcohol (1-Pentanol) | A | C | |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | A | C |
| Bitter Orange Oil | A | C | |
| Bromobenzene | B | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | saturated | C | A |
| Dibutyl Ether | technical grade | A | C |
| Hexanol | A | C | |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 20 % | C | A |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 4 % | D | B |
| Methanol | A | C |
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 Polysulfone more chemical-resistant?
Of 231 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PETG and Polysulfone share the same rating in 131 rows (57 %). PETG is rated better in 46 rows and Polysulfone in 54 rows.
How do PETG and Polysulfone compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 231 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. Polysulfone is rated better with Alkalis, Oxidising agents and halogens, Mineral acids. They perform similarly with Organic acids, Salts and salt solutions, Ketones and aldehydes, 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.