Summary
- PMP is rated better with
- Esters and ethers (+33 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+32 points); Alcohols and glycols (+32 points); Foods and beverages (+31 points); Mineral acids (+20 points); Organic acids (+11 points)
- Polystyrene is rated better with
- Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+19 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; Amines and nitrogen compounds; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons; Halogenated hydrocarbons
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 %
Polystyrene
Polystyrene
Polystyrene is attacked by most organic solvents, including ketones, esters, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons. It is used for dilute aqueous solutions.
Rated rows: 504. A 45 %, B 8 %, C 8 %, D 39 %
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 | Polystyrene: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 71 % (35 rows) | 51 % (41 rows) |
| Organic acids | 85 % (26 rows) | 74 % (34 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (17 rows) | 100 % (17 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (67 rows) | 100 % (88 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 67 % (30 rows) | 71 % (34 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 96 % (28 rows) | 64 % (36 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 22 % (9 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 37 % (27 rows) | 5 % (21 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 36 % (42 rows) | 3 % (38 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 50 % (10 rows) | 47 % (15 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 10 % (10 rows) | 0 % (13 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 30 % (37 rows) | 24 % (38 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 29 % (14 rows) | 48 % (27 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 3 % (33 rows) | 0 % (36 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (13 rows) | 69 % (32 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 65 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PMP | Polystyrene |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Benzaldehyde | A | D | |
| Benzyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | A | D | |
| Butane | technical grade | A | D |
| Diethyl Malonate | A | D | |
| Diethylene Glycol Ether | A | D | |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | A | D |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate | A | D | |
| Formaldehyde Solution | 40 % | A | D |
| Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) | aqueous | D | A |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Methoxyethyl Oleate | A | D | |
| Methyl Glycol | 100 % | A | D |
| n-Octane | A | D | |
| p-Chloroacetophenone | A | D | |
| Petroleum Ether | technical grade | A | D |
| Phenol | 10 % | A | D |
| Phenol | 100 % | A | D |
| Propylene Oxide | A | D | |
| Salicylaldehyde | A | D | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | B | D | |
| 1-Ethylhexanol | A | C | |
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | B | D |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | B | D |
| Acetic Acid | 10 % | C | A |
| Acetone | B | D | |
| Amyl Acetate | B | D | |
| Aniline | B | D | |
| Anisole | 100 % | B | D |
| Benzene | B | D | |
| Brake Fluid | A | C | |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | B | D |
| Chlorine | 10 % wet | B | D |
| Cyclohexanol | technical grade | A | C |
| Diethyl Ketone | B | D | |
| Dioxane | B | D | |
| Ethanol | 96 % | A | C |
| Ethyl Alcohol | 96 % | A | C |
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 Polystyrene more chemical-resistant?
Of 351 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PMP and Polystyrene share the same rating in 223 rows (64 %). PMP is rated better in 123 rows and Polystyrene in 5 rows.
How do PMP and Polystyrene compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 351 chemicals tested for both: PMP is rated better with Esters and ethers, Ketones and aldehydes, Alcohols and glycols, Foods and beverages. Polystyrene is rated better with Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens, Amines and nitrogen compounds.
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.