Summary
- PMP is rated better with
- Alkalis (+76 points); Mineral acids (+55 points); Salts and salt solutions (+48 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+22 points); Organic acids (+18 points)
- Aluminium is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+90 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+71 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+70 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+60 points); Esters and ethers (+58 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+45 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+24 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alcohols and glycols; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
PMP
Polymethylpentene (TPX)
Polymethylpentene (TPX) is a transparent polyolefin used for labware. It resists many acids and alkalis, while aromatic and chlorinated solvents and strong oxidisers attack it.
Rated rows: 416. A 55 %, B 6 %, C 7 %, D 32 %
Aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium relies on a thin oxide layer. Strong acids, strong alkalis and mercury compounds destroy that layer.
Rated rows: 968. A 60 %, B 9 %, C 16 %, D 16 %
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 | PMP: rated A or B | Aluminium: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 71 % (35 rows) | 16 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 85 % (26 rows) | 67 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (17 rows) | 24 % (21 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (67 rows) | 52 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 67 % (30 rows) | 45 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 96 % (28 rows) | 98 % (59 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 86 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 37 % (27 rows) | 97 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 36 % (42 rows) | 94 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 50 % (10 rows) | 95 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 10 % (10 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 30 % (37 rows) | 100 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 29 % (14 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 3 % (33 rows) | 27 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (13 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 198 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PMP | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Mustard Oil | D | A | |
| Aluminum Chloride | 10 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Nitrate | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate | any concentration | A | D |
| Ammonium Fluoride | saturated | A | D |
| Amyl Cinnamaldehyde | D | A | |
| Anise Oil | D | A | |
| Benzoyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Bromobenzene | D | A | |
| Butyraldehyde | D | A | |
| Butyric Acid | D | A | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | saturated | A | D |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Cedar Oil | D | A | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Cinnamaldehyde | D | A | |
| Cinnamon Oil | D | A | |
| Copper Sulfate (Copper Vitriol) | aqueous | A | D |
| Copper(II) Chloride | saturated | A | D |
| Copper(II) Nitrate | saturated | A | D |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Crotonaldehyde | technical grade | D | A |
| Cumene | D | A | |
| Cyclohexane | D | A | |
| Cymene | D | A | |
| Decahydronaphthalene | D | A | |
| Dibutyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Diethylbenzene | D | A | |
| Diisobutyl Ketone | technical grade | D | A |
| Diisobutylene | D | A | |
| Dipropyl Ketone | D | A | |
| DL-Limonene | D | A |
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 PMP or Aluminium more chemical-resistant?
Of 415 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PMP and Aluminium share the same rating in 150 rows (36 %). PMP is rated better in 99 rows and Aluminium in 166 rows.
How do PMP and Aluminium compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 415 chemicals tested for both: PMP is rated better with Alkalis, Mineral acids, Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens. Aluminium is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Ketones and aldehydes. They perform similarly with Alcohols and glycols, 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.