Summary
- PMP is rated better with
- Esters and ethers (+36 points); Alcohols and glycols (+26 points); Foods and beverages (+18 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+16 points)
- SAN is rated better with
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+49 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+39 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Mineral acids; Organic acids; Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; Amines and nitrogen compounds; 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 %
SAN
Styrene-acrylonitrile
Styrene-acrylonitrile resists oils and dilute acids better than polystyrene, but ketones, esters and aromatic and chlorinated solvents still attack it.
Rated rows: 364. A 67 %, B 0 %, C 9 %, D 24 %
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 | SAN: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 71 % (35 rows) | 61 % (18 rows) |
| Organic acids | 85 % (26 rows) | 79 % (24 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (17 rows) | 100 % (8 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (67 rows) | 100 % (80 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 67 % (30 rows) | 73 % (26 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 96 % (28 rows) | 70 % (33 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 25 % (8 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 37 % (27 rows) | 21 % (19 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 36 % (42 rows) | 0 % (19 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 50 % (10 rows) | 56 % (9 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 10 % (10 rows) | – |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 30 % (37 rows) | 79 % (24 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 29 % (14 rows) | 68 % (22 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 3 % (33 rows) | 5 % (20 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (13 rows) | 82 % (22 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 38 in total.
| Chemical | Concentration | PMP | SAN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Allyl Alcohol | 96 % | A | D |
| Benzyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Brake Fluid | A | D | |
| Carbazole | A | D | |
| Cyclohexane | D | A | |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Hexachlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Isooctane | technical grade | D | A |
| Ligroin | D | A | |
| Methylcyclohexane | D | A | |
| Phenol | 100 % | A | D |
| Propylene Oxide | A | D | |
| Turpentine Substitute | D | A | |
| White Spirit | liquid | D | A |
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | B | D |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | B | D |
| Acetic Acid | 10 % | C | A |
| Acetone | B | D | |
| Amyl Acetate | B | D | |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | B | D |
| Chlorine | 10 % wet | B | D |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | C | |
| Diethyl Ketone | B | D | |
| Dioxane | B | D | |
| Ethyl Benzoate | B | D | |
| Formic Acid | 98-100 % | A | C |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 50 % | A | C |
| Iodine Tincture | A | C | |
| Isobutanol | A | C | |
| Methanol | A | C | |
| n-Heptane | C | A | |
| n-Hexane | C | A | |
| Pentane | C | A | |
| Petroleum Ether | technical grade | A | C |
| Phenol | 10 % | A | C |
| Resorcinol | 5 % | A | C |
| Sulfuric Acid | 95 % | B | 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 SAN more chemical-resistant?
Of 215 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PMP and SAN share the same rating in 156 rows (73 %). PMP is rated better in 42 rows and SAN in 17 rows.
How do PMP and SAN compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 215 chemicals tested for both: PMP is rated better with Esters and ethers, Alcohols and glycols, Foods and beverages, Ketones and aldehydes. SAN is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils. They perform similarly with Mineral acids, Organic acids, Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions.
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.