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PETG vs SS 316: Chemical Resistance Compared

Of 569 source rows rated for both materials at 20 °C, 345 (61 %) have the same rating. PETG is rated better in 16 rows and SS 316 in 208. A row is one chemical at one concentration.

Summary

SS 316 is rated better with
Ketones and aldehydes (+79 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+56 points); Alkalis (+55 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+50 points); Mineral acids (+45 points); Esters and ethers (+43 points); Organic acids (+28 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+17 points)
Within 10 points of each other
Salts and salt solutions; Alcohols and glycols; 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 %

All chemicals for PETG

SS 316

Stainless steel 1.4401 (AISI 316)

Stainless steel 316 (1.4401) contains molybdenum, which improves resistance to chlorides over 304. Hydrochloric acid and other halide acids still cause pitting.

Rated rows: 868. A 89 %, B 4 %, C 2 %, D 4 %

All chemicals for SS 316

Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical class

PETG, SS 316: Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical classMineral acids: PETG 20 %, SS 316 65 %. Organic acids: PETG 70 %, SS 316 98 %. Alkalis: PETG 45 %, SS 316 100 %. Salts and salt solutions: PETG 100 %, SS 316 93 %. Oxidising agents and halogens: PETG 29 %, SS 316 79 %. Alcohols and glycols: PETG 100 %, SS 316 100 %. Ketones and aldehydes: PETG 21 %, SS 316 100 %. Esters and ethers: PETG 57 %, SS 316 100 %. Amines and nitrogen compounds: PETG 78 %, SS 316 95 %. Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons: PETG 98 %, SS 316 100 %. Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils: PETG 100 %, SS 316 100 %. Halogenated hydrocarbons: PETG 32 %, SS 316 88 %. Foods and beverages: PETG 100 %, SS 316 100 %.Mineral acidsMineral acids, PETG: 20 % (41)20 %Mineral acids, SS 316: 65 % (60)65 %Organic acidsOrganic acids, PETG: 70 % (33)70 %Organic acids, SS 316: 98 % (55)98 %AlkalisAlkalis, PETG: 45 % (20)45 %Alkalis, SS 316: 100 % (22)100 %Salts and salt solutionsSalts and salt solutions, PETG: 100 % (159)100 %Salts and salt solutions, SS 316: 93 % (175)93 %Oxidising agents and halogensOxidising agents and halogens, PETG: 29 % (38)29 %Oxidising agents and halogens, SS 316: 79 % (57)79 %Alcohols and glycolsAlcohols and glycols, PETG: 100 % (40)100 %Alcohols and glycols, SS 316: 100 % (58)100 %Ketones and aldehydesKetones and aldehydes, PETG: 21 % (24)21 %Ketones and aldehydes, SS 316: 100 % (33)100 %Esters and ethersEsters and ethers, PETG: 57 % (28)57 %Esters and ethers, SS 316: 100 % (69)100 %Amines and nitrogen compoundsAmines and nitrogen compounds, PETG: 78 % (9)78 %Amines and nitrogen compounds, SS 316: 95 % (38)95 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbonsFuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, PETG: 98 % (65)98 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, SS 316: 100 % (76)100 %Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oilsVegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, PETG: 100 % (34)100 %Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, SS 316: 100 % (48)100 %Halogenated hydrocarbonsHalogenated hydrocarbons, PETG: 32 % (25)32 %Halogenated hydrocarbons, SS 316: 88 % (24)88 %Foods and beveragesFoods and beverages, PETG: 100 % (43)100 %Foods and beverages, SS 316: 100 % (46)100 %
PETGSS 316
Rating at 20 °C. Only classes with at least 8 rated rows for both materials are shown.

How often the two ratings agree

PETG, SS 316: How often the two ratings agreePETG A, SS 316 A: 321; PETG A, SS 316 B: 7; PETG A, SS 316 C: 1; PETG B, SS 316 A: 111; PETG B, SS 316 B: 4; PETG B, SS 316 C: 1; PETG B, SS 316 D: 5; PETG C, SS 316 A: 12; PETG C, SS 316 B: 9; PETG C, SS 316 D: 2; PETG D, SS 316 A: 61; PETG D, SS 316 B: 10; PETG D, SS 316 C: 5; PETG D, SS 316 D: 20.SS 316ABCDPETGAPETG A, SS 316 A: 321321PETG A, SS 316 B: 77PETG A, SS 316 C: 11PETG A, SS 316 D: 00BPETG B, SS 316 A: 111111PETG B, SS 316 B: 44PETG B, SS 316 C: 11PETG B, SS 316 D: 55CPETG C, SS 316 A: 1212PETG C, SS 316 B: 99PETG C, SS 316 C: 00PETG C, SS 316 D: 22DPETG D, SS 316 A: 6161PETG D, SS 316 B: 1010PETG D, SS 316 C: 55PETG D, SS 316 D: 2020
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 BSS 316: rated A or B
Mineral acids20 % (41 rows)65 % (60 rows)
Organic acids70 % (33 rows)98 % (55 rows)
Alkalis45 % (20 rows)100 % (22 rows)
Salts and salt solutions100 % (159 rows)93 % (175 rows)
Oxidising agents and halogens29 % (38 rows)79 % (57 rows)
Alcohols and glycols100 % (40 rows)100 % (58 rows)
Phenols–100 % (11 rows)
Ketones and aldehydes21 % (24 rows)100 % (33 rows)
Esters and ethers57 % (28 rows)100 % (69 rows)
Amines and nitrogen compounds78 % (9 rows)95 % (38 rows)
Aromatic hydrocarbons–100 % (14 rows)
Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons98 % (65 rows)100 % (76 rows)
Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils100 % (34 rows)100 % (48 rows)
Halogenated hydrocarbons32 % (25 rows)88 % (24 rows)
Foods and beverages100 % (43 rows)100 % (46 rows)

Where the ratings differ most

Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 89 in total, the first 40 shown.

ChemicalConcentrationPETGSS 316
1,2-DibromoethaneDA
Acetaldehyde40 %DA
Acetaldehydetechnical gradeDA
Acetic Acid100 %DA
Acetic Acid90 %DA
AcetoneDA
AcetonitrileDA
AcetophenoneDA
Acetyl Chloride100 %DA
AcrylonitrileDA
Allyl Acetate100 %DA
Allyl Chloride100 %DA
BenzaldehydeDA
BenzeneDA
Benzenesulfonic AcidsaturatedDA
Bitter Almond OilDA
Chlorine97 %DA
Chlorine GasDA
Chloroform100 %DA
CresolDA
Cyclohexanonetechnical gradeDA
Dichloroethylenetechnical gradeDA
DichloromethaneDA
Diethyl KetoneDA
Diisobutyl Ketonetechnical gradeDA
Diisopropyl KetoneDA
Diphenyl EtherDA
DiphylDA
Dipropyl KetoneDA
Ethyl Acetate100 %DA
Ethyl Acrylate100 %DA
Ethylene DichlorideDA
Fluorosilicic Acid32 %DA
HeptanoneDA
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK)DA
Isopropyl Methyl KetoneDA
Mesityl OxideDA
Methyl AcrylateDA
Methyl Butyl KetoneDA
Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)DA

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 SS 316LDPE vs PETGLDPE vs SS 316PP vs PETGPP vs SS 316PVC Rigid vs PETGPVC Rigid vs SS 316PVC Flexible vs PETGPVC Flexible vs SS 316PMP vs PETGPMP vs SS 316Polystyrene vs PETGPolystyrene vs SS 316SAN vs PETGSAN vs SS 316Polycarbonate vs PETGPolycarbonate vs SS 316PETG vs Acetal (POM)PETG vs Nylon (PA)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PETG or SS 316 more chemical-resistant?

Of 569 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PETG and SS 316 share the same rating in 345 rows (61 %). PETG is rated better in 16 rows and SS 316 in 208 rows.

How do PETG and SS 316 compare for chemical resistance?

Based on 569 chemicals tested for both: PETG is rated better with –. SS 316 is rated better with Ketones and aldehydes, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Alkalis, Oxidising agents and halogens. They perform similarly with Salts and salt solutions, Alcohols and glycols, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils.

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.