Summary
- Polycarbonate is rated better with
- Oxidising agents and halogens (+40 points); Organic acids (+29 points); Mineral acids (+27 points); Salts and salt solutions (+13 points)
- Nylon (PA) is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+100 points); Esters and ethers (+79 points); Alkalis (+73 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+63 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+42 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+39 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+37 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+25 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alcohols and glycols; Phenols; 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 %
Nylon (PA)
Polyamide (nylon)
Polyamide (nylon) resists fuels, oils and many solvents. Mineral acids, even dilute, and strong oxidisers attack it, and it absorbs water.
Rated rows: 945. A 44 %, B 21 %, C 17 %, D 18 %
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 | Nylon (PA): rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 32 % (59 rows) | 5 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 54 % (63 rows) | 25 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 18 % (22 rows) | 91 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 91 % (197 rows) | 78 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 66 % (61 rows) | 26 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 72 % (57 rows) | 67 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 14 % (14 rows) | 8 % (13 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 14 % (35 rows) | 53 % (32 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 1 % (69 rows) | 80 % (65 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 13 % (38 rows) | 50 % (34 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 55 % (75 rows) | 97 % (73 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 73 % (48 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (70 rows) | 63 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 91 % (46 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 287 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polycarbonate | Nylon (PA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Acetamide | saturated | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 5 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetone | D | A | |
| Acetonitrile | D | A | |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Alanine | D | A | |
| Ammonium Fluoride | saturated | D | A |
| Ammonium Sulfide | any concentration | D | A |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Amyl Phthalate | 100 % | D | A |
| Anisole | 100 % | D | A |
| Antimony Trichloride | 90 % | A | D |
| Antimony Trichloride | anhydrous | A | D |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | A | D |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Brake Fluid | D | A | |
| Bromobenzene | D | A | |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Calcium Hydroxide | concentrated | D | A |
| Calcium Hydroxide | aqueous | D | A |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | aqueous | A | D |
| Chloramine-T | dilute | A | D |
| Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride) | D | A | |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | D | A |
| Decahydronaphthalene | D | A | |
| Developer Fluids | A | D | |
| Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) | D | A | |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) | D | A | |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) | technical grade | D | A |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Dimethylamine | technical grade | D | A |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | D | A | |
| Dioxane | 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 Nylon (PA) more chemical-resistant?
Of 931 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polycarbonate and Nylon (PA) share the same rating in 346 rows (37 %). Polycarbonate is rated better in 203 rows and Nylon (PA) in 382 rows.
How do Polycarbonate and Nylon (PA) compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 931 chemicals tested for both: Polycarbonate is rated better with Oxidising agents and halogens, Organic acids, Mineral acids, Salts and salt solutions. Nylon (PA) is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers, Alkalis, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Alcohols and glycols, Phenols, 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.