Summary
- PMP is rated better with
- Mineral acids (+58 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+52 points); Alcohols and glycols (+51 points); Organic acids (+48 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+37 points); Alkalis (+36 points); Esters and ethers (+35 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+28 points); Salts and salt solutions (+18 points)
- NBR is rated better with
- Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+40 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+29 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+17 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Aromatic hydrocarbons; 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 %
NBR
Nitrile butadiene rubber
Nitrile rubber resists mineral oils and fuels. Ketones, esters, chlorinated solvents, strong oxidisers and ozone attack it.
Rated rows: 983. A 36 %, B 9 %, C 19 %, D 36 %
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 | NBR: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 71 % (35 rows) | 13 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 85 % (26 rows) | 37 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (17 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (67 rows) | 82 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 67 % (30 rows) | 15 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 96 % (28 rows) | 45 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 37 % (27 rows) | 9 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 36 % (42 rows) | 1 % (76 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 50 % (10 rows) | 13 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 10 % (10 rows) | 7 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 30 % (37 rows) | 59 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 29 % (14 rows) | 69 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 3 % (33 rows) | 20 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (13 rows) | 93 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 132 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PMP | NBR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Ammonium Carbonate | 50 % | A | D |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | A | D | |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | A | D |
| Benzaldehyde | A | D | |
| Benzyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | A | D | |
| Brake Fluid | A | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | saturated | A | D |
| Calcium Nitrate | 50 % | A | D |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Copper(II) Nitrate | saturated | A | D |
| Cyclohexane | D | A | |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | A | D |
| Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) | A | D | |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate | A | D | |
| Formic Acid | 3 % | A | D |
| Formic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Formic Acid | 98-100 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 35 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | concentrated | A | D |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 30 % | A | D |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 90 % | A | D |
| Isooctane | technical grade | D | A |
| Ligroin | D | A | |
| Methoxyethyl Oleate | A | D | |
| Methyl Glycol | 100 % | A | D |
| Naphtha | A | D | |
| Nitric Acid | 1-10 % | A | D |
| Ozone | A | D | |
| p-Chloroacetophenone | A | D | |
| Phenol | 10 % | A | D |
| Phenol | 100 % | A | D |
| Phosphoric Acid | 85 % | A | D |
| Pine Needle Oil | D | A | |
| Potassium Permanganate | A | D |
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 NBR more chemical-resistant?
Of 416 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PMP and NBR share the same rating in 210 rows (50 %). PMP is rated better in 175 rows and NBR in 31 rows.
How do PMP and NBR compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 416 chemicals tested for both: PMP is rated better with Mineral acids, Oxidising agents and halogens, Alcohols and glycols, Organic acids. NBR is rated better with Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Aromatic hydrocarbons, 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.