Summary
- Polycarbonate is rated better with
- Salts and salt solutions (+39 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+21 points); Mineral acids (+16 points)
- Aluminium is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+100 points); Esters and ethers (+93 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+83 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+82 points); Phenols (+72 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+45 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+27 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+27 points); Alcohols and glycols (+26 points); Organic acids (+13 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is attacked by alkalis, amines, ketones, esters and many organic solvents, and it stress-cracks under load in contact with them.
Rated rows: 953. A 28 %, B 25 %, C 24 %, D 23 %
Aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium relies on a thin oxide layer. Strong acids, strong alkalis and mercury compounds destroy that layer.
Rated rows: 968. A 60 %, B 9 %, C 16 %, D 16 %
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 | Polycarbonate: rated A or B | Aluminium: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 32 % (59 rows) | 16 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 54 % (63 rows) | 67 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 18 % (22 rows) | 24 % (21 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 91 % (197 rows) | 52 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 66 % (61 rows) | 45 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 72 % (57 rows) | 98 % (59 rows) |
| Phenols | 14 % (14 rows) | 86 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 14 % (35 rows) | 97 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 1 % (69 rows) | 94 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 13 % (38 rows) | 95 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 55 % (75 rows) | 100 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 73 % (48 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (70 rows) | 27 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 91 % (46 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 380 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polycarbonate | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | D | A |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetamide | saturated | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 100 % | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | D | A |
| Acetone | D | A | |
| Acetonitrile | D | A | |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Allspice | ground | D | A |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Mustard Oil | D | A | |
| Aluminum Chloride | 10 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Nitrate | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | D | A | |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | 30 % | D | A |
| Ammonium Sulfide | any concentration | D | A |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Amyl Cinnamaldehyde | D | A | |
| Amyl Phthalate | 100 % | D | A |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Anisole | 100 % | D | A |
| Antimony Trichloride | 90 % | A | D |
| Arsenic Acid | A | D | |
| Arsenic Acid | aqueous | A | D |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | D | A |
| Benzoic Acid | aqueous | D | A |
| Benzoyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Brake Fluid | D | A | |
| Bromobenzene | D | A | |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
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 Polycarbonate or Aluminium more chemical-resistant?
Of 946 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polycarbonate and Aluminium share the same rating in 290 rows (31 %). Polycarbonate is rated better in 196 rows and Aluminium in 460 rows.
How do Polycarbonate and Aluminium compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 946 chemicals tested for both: Polycarbonate is rated better with Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens, Mineral acids. Aluminium is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers, Ketones and aldehydes, Amines and nitrogen compounds. They perform similarly with Alkalis, 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.