Summary
- PMP is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+50 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+23 points); Alcohols and glycols (+22 points); Mineral acids (+18 points); Organic acids (+16 points)
- Polysulfone is rated better with
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+45 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+11 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; Esters and ethers; 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 %
Polysulfone
Polysulfone
Polysulfone withstands hot water and steam. Ketones, esters and chlorinated and aromatic solvents attack it.
Rated rows: 303. A 51 %, B 10 %, C 10 %, D 30 %
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 | Polysulfone: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 71 % (35 rows) | 53 % (34 rows) |
| Organic acids | 85 % (26 rows) | 69 % (26 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (17 rows) | 100 % (15 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (67 rows) | 100 % (49 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 67 % (30 rows) | 67 % (15 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 96 % (28 rows) | 74 % (31 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 37 % (27 rows) | 14 % (14 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 36 % (42 rows) | 26 % (23 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 50 % (10 rows) | 0 % (8 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 10 % (10 rows) | 12 % (8 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 30 % (37 rows) | 75 % (24 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 29 % (14 rows) | – |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 3 % (33 rows) | 14 % (22 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (13 rows) | 100 % (9 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 57 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PMP | Polysulfone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetamide | saturated | A | D |
| Alanine | A | D | |
| Benzyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Carbazole | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) | A | D | |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate | A | D | |
| Isooctane | technical grade | D | A |
| Isopropyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Methoxyethyl Oleate | A | D | |
| p-Chloroacetophenone | A | D | |
| Phenol | 10 % | A | D |
| Resorcinol | 5 % | A | D |
| Resorcinol | saturated | A | D |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | B | D | |
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | B | D |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | B | D |
| Acetic Acid | 10 % | C | A |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | C |
| Acetone | B | D | |
| Amyl Acetate | B | D | |
| Aniline | B | D | |
| Benzaldehyde | A | C | |
| Benzene | B | D | |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | A | C |
| Bitter Almond Oil | A | C | |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | B | D |
| Butyric Acid | D | B | |
| Chlorine | 10 % wet | B | D |
| Chromic Acid | 50 % | B | D |
| Diethyl Ketone | B | D | |
| Diethyl Malonate | A | C | |
| Diethylene Glycol Ether | A | C | |
| Ethyl Benzoate | B | D | |
| Ethyl Cyanoacetate | A | C | |
| Ethyl Lactate | A | C | |
| Ethylene Oxide | C | A | |
| Formic Acid | 98-100 % | 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 Polysulfone more chemical-resistant?
Of 265 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PMP and Polysulfone share the same rating in 158 rows (60 %). PMP is rated better in 94 rows and Polysulfone in 13 rows.
How do PMP and Polysulfone compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 265 chemicals tested for both: PMP is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds, Ketones and aldehydes, Alcohols and glycols, Mineral acids. Polysulfone is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens, Esters and ethers.
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.