Summary
- Polycarbonate is rated better with
- Oxidising agents and halogens (+51 points); Alcohols and glycols (+27 points); Mineral acids (+19 points); Organic acids (+17 points); Phenols (+14 points)
- NBR is rated better with
- Alkalis (+46 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+20 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Salts and salt solutions; Ketones and aldehydes; Esters and ethers; Amines and nitrogen compounds; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons; Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils; 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 %
NBR
Nitrile butadiene rubber
Nitrile rubber resists mineral oils and fuels. Ketones, esters, chlorinated solvents, strong oxidisers and ozone attack it.
Rated rows: 983. A 36 %, B 9 %, C 19 %, D 36 %
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 | NBR: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 32 % (59 rows) | 13 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 54 % (63 rows) | 37 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 18 % (22 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 91 % (197 rows) | 82 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 66 % (61 rows) | 15 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 72 % (57 rows) | 45 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 14 % (14 rows) | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 14 % (35 rows) | 9 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 1 % (69 rows) | 1 % (76 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 13 % (38 rows) | 13 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (14 rows) | 7 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 55 % (75 rows) | 59 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 73 % (48 rows) | 69 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (70 rows) | 20 % (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: 149 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polycarbonate | NBR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetamide | saturated | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Alanine | D | A | |
| Ammonium Fluoride | saturated | D | A |
| Ammonium Sulfide | any concentration | D | A |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | A | D |
| Calcium Hydroxide | concentrated | D | A |
| Calcium Hydroxide | aqueous | D | A |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | aqueous | A | D |
| Calcium Nitrate | 50 % | A | D |
| Cocoa Butter | A | D | |
| Diglycolic Acid | 30 % | A | D |
| Formic Acid | 3 % | A | D |
| Gear Oil, EP (Hypoid), 110°C | A | D | |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 30 % | A | D |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 90 % | A | D |
| Hydrogen Sulfide | saturated | A | D |
| Kerosene | D | A | |
| Nitric Acid | 1-10 % | A | D |
| Ozone | A | D | |
| Phosphoric Acid | 85 % | A | D |
| Potassium Perchlorate | aqueous | A | D |
| Potassium Permanganate | A | D | |
| Potassium Permanganate | aqueous | A | D |
| Potassium Persulfate | any concentration | A | D |
| Sulfur | technical grade | A | D |
| Sulfuric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Sulfuryl Chloride | technical grade | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 10 % | A | C |
| Acetic Acid | 5 % | A | C |
| Allspice | ground | D | B |
| Aluminum Hydroxide Acetate | aqueous | A | C |
| Ammonium Bifluoride | 50 % | D | B |
| Ammonium Fluoride | aqueous | C | A |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | 30 % | D | B |
| Ammonium Persulfate | saturated | B | D |
| Ammonium Persulfate | aqueous | B | D |
| Amyl Alcohol (1-Pentanol) | A | C | |
| Antimony Trichloride | 90 % | A | C |
| Aviation Fuels (JP) | C | 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 NBR more chemical-resistant?
Of 952 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polycarbonate and NBR share the same rating in 463 rows (49 %). Polycarbonate is rated better in 273 rows and NBR in 216 rows.
How do Polycarbonate and NBR compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 952 chemicals tested for both: Polycarbonate is rated better with Oxidising agents and halogens, Alcohols and glycols, Mineral acids, Organic acids. NBR is rated better with Alkalis, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Salts and salt solutions, Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, 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.