Summary
- PMP is rated better with
- Mineral acids (+66 points); Organic acids (+60 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+41 points); Alcohols and glycols (+29 points); Salts and salt solutions (+22 points)
- Nylon (PA) is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+90 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+69 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+67 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+60 points); Esters and ethers (+44 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+16 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Amines and nitrogen compounds; 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 %
Nylon (PA)
Polyamide (nylon)
Polyamide (nylon) resists fuels, oils and many solvents. Mineral acids, even dilute, and strong oxidisers attack it, and it absorbs water.
Rated rows: 945. A 44 %, B 21 %, C 17 %, D 18 %
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 | Nylon (PA): rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 71 % (35 rows) | 5 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 85 % (26 rows) | 25 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (17 rows) | 91 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (67 rows) | 78 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 67 % (30 rows) | 26 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 96 % (28 rows) | 67 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 8 % (13 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 37 % (27 rows) | 53 % (32 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 36 % (42 rows) | 80 % (65 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 50 % (10 rows) | 50 % (34 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 10 % (10 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 30 % (37 rows) | 97 % (73 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 29 % (14 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 3 % (33 rows) | 63 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (13 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 169 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PMP | Nylon (PA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| Acetic Acid | 5 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | A | D |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Bromobenzene | D | A | |
| Calcium Chloride | alcoholic solution | A | D |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Cyclohexane | D | A | |
| Decahydronaphthalene | D | A | |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Diethylbenzene | D | A | |
| Diisobutylene | D | A | |
| DL-Limonene | D | A | |
| Ethyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Ethyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Formic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Formic Acid | 98-100 % | A | D |
| Fuel + 20% Ethanol | D | A | |
| Fuel + 20% Methanol | D | A | |
| Hexene | D | A | |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 1-5 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 35 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | concentrated | A | D |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 4 % | A | D |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 30 % | A | D |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 90 % | A | D |
| Iodine Tincture | A | D | |
| Isooctane | technical grade | D | A |
| Mercury(II) Chloride | aqueous | A | D |
| Methyl Acetate | technical grade | D | A |
| Methyl Ethyl Ether | 100 % | D | A |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) | D | A | |
| Nitric Acid | 1-10 % | 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 Nylon (PA) more chemical-resistant?
Of 409 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PMP and Nylon (PA) share the same rating in 174 rows (43 %). PMP is rated better in 108 rows and Nylon (PA) in 127 rows.
How do PMP and Nylon (PA) compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 409 chemicals tested for both: PMP is rated better with Mineral acids, Organic acids, Oxidising agents and halogens, Alcohols and glycols. Nylon (PA) is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Amines and nitrogen compounds, 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.