Summary
- Polycarbonate is rated better with
- Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+69 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+54 points); Alcohols and glycols (+19 points)
- EPDM is rated better with
- Alkalis (+82 points); Esters and ethers (+24 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+23 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+20 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+17 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Mineral acids; Organic acids; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; Phenols; Aromatic hydrocarbons; 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 %
EPDM
Ethylene propylene diene rubber
EPDM resists water, steam, alkalis, ketones and alcohols. Mineral oils, fuels and aromatic solvents swell it severely.
Rated rows: 976. A 44 %, B 9 %, C 20 %, D 28 %
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 | EPDM: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 32 % (59 rows) | 40 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 54 % (63 rows) | 47 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 18 % (22 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 91 % (197 rows) | 98 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 66 % (61 rows) | 65 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 72 % (57 rows) | 53 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 14 % (14 rows) | 7 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 14 % (35 rows) | 31 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 1 % (69 rows) | 25 % (72 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 13 % (38 rows) | 33 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (14 rows) | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 55 % (75 rows) | 1 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 73 % (48 rows) | 4 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (70 rows) | 23 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 91 % (46 rows) | 93 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 197 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polycarbonate | EPDM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetamide | saturated | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetone | D | A | |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Alanine | D | A | |
| Almond Oil | A | D | |
| Ammonium Bifluoride | 50 % | D | A |
| Ammonium Fluoride | saturated | D | A |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | D | A | |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | 30 % | D | A |
| Ammonium Sulfide | any concentration | D | A |
| Beef Tallow | A | D | |
| Benzoyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Brake Fluid | D | A | |
| Butane | technical grade | A | D |
| Calcium Hydroxide | concentrated | D | A |
| Calcium Hydroxide | aqueous | D | A |
| Chloroacetone | D | A | |
| Cocoa Butter | A | D | |
| Corn Germ Oil | technical grade | A | D |
| Crotonaldehyde | technical grade | D | A |
| Fats, Cooking Oils | A | D | |
| Gear Oil, EP (Hypoid), 110°C | A | D | |
| HD Motor Oil, Aromatic-Free | A | D | |
| Hydrazine | 10 % | D | A |
| Hydrazine Hydrate | aqueous | D | A |
| Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) | technical grade | D | A |
| Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) | aqueous | D | A |
| Lanolin | technical grade | A | D |
| Ligroin | A | D | |
| Linseed Oil | technical grade | A | D |
| Lubricating Oil | A | D | |
| Margarine | A | D | |
| Methane | technical grade | A | D |
| Methanesulfonic Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Methanesulfonic Acid | aqueous | D | A |
| Methanol | D | A | |
| Methyl Butyl Ketone | D | A | |
| Methylamine | 32 % | D | A |
| Mineral Oil | 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 Polycarbonate or EPDM more chemical-resistant?
Of 952 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polycarbonate and EPDM share the same rating in 396 rows (42 %). Polycarbonate is rated better in 239 rows and EPDM in 317 rows.
How do Polycarbonate and EPDM compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 952 chemicals tested for both: Polycarbonate is rated better with Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Alcohols and glycols. EPDM is rated better with Alkalis, Esters and ethers, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Amines and nitrogen compounds. They perform similarly with Mineral acids, Organic acids, Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens.
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.