ChemicalResistance
ChemicalResistance.org

PETG vs Silicone: Chemical Resistance Compared

Of 22 source rows rated for both materials at 20 °C, 22 (100 %) have the same rating. PETG is rated better in 0 rows and Silicone in 0. A row is one chemical at one concentration.

Summary

Within 10 points of each other
Salts and salt solutions

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

Silicone

Silicone rubber

Silicone rubber keeps its flexibility over a wide temperature range. Concentrated acids and alkalis and hydrocarbon solvents attack or swell it.

Rated rows: 23. A 96 %, B 0 %, C 0 %, D 4 %

All chemicals for Silicone

Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical class

PETG, Silicone: Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical classSalts and salt solutions: PETG 100 %, Silicone 100 %.Salts and salt solutionsSalts and salt solutions, PETG: 100 % (159)100 %Salts and salt solutions, Silicone: 100 % (9)100 %
PETGSilicone
Rating at 20 °C. Only classes with at least 8 rated rows for both materials are shown.

How often the two ratings agree

PETG, Silicone: How often the two ratings agreePETG A, Silicone A: 21; PETG D, Silicone D: 1.SiliconeABCDPETGAPETG A, Silicone A: 2121PETG A, Silicone B: 00PETG A, Silicone C: 00PETG A, Silicone D: 00BPETG B, Silicone A: 00PETG B, Silicone B: 00PETG B, Silicone C: 00PETG B, Silicone D: 00CPETG C, Silicone A: 00PETG C, Silicone B: 00PETG C, Silicone C: 00PETG C, Silicone D: 00DPETG D, Silicone A: 00PETG D, Silicone B: 00PETG D, Silicone C: 00PETG D, Silicone D: 11
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 BSilicone: rated A or B
Mineral acids20 % (41 rows)–
Organic acids70 % (33 rows)–
Alkalis45 % (20 rows)–
Salts and salt solutions100 % (159 rows)100 % (9 rows)
Oxidising agents and halogens29 % (38 rows)–
Alcohols and glycols100 % (40 rows)–
Ketones and aldehydes21 % (24 rows)–
Esters and ethers57 % (28 rows)–
Amines and nitrogen compounds78 % (9 rows)–
Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons98 % (65 rows)–
Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils100 % (34 rows)–
Halogenated hydrocarbons32 % (25 rows)–
Foods and beverages100 % (43 rows)–

Where the ratings differ most

No row has ratings more than one grade apart.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PETG or Silicone more chemical-resistant?

Of 22 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PETG and Silicone share the same rating in 22 rows (100 %). PETG is rated better in 0 rows and Silicone in 0 rows.

How do PETG and Silicone compare for chemical resistance?

Based on 22 chemicals tested for both: PETG is rated better with –. Silicone is rated better with –. They perform similarly with Salts and salt solutions.

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.