Summary
- Polycarbonate is rated better with
- Oxidising agents and halogens (+37 points); Mineral acids (+12 points)
- PETG is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+65 points); Esters and ethers (+56 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+43 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+32 points); Alcohols and glycols (+28 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+27 points); Alkalis (+27 points); Organic acids (+16 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Salts and salt solutions; Ketones and aldehydes; 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 %
PETG
Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (co-polyester)
PETG is a co-polyester for clear containers. Strong acids and alkalis and most organic solvents attack it.
Rated rows: 619. A 55 %, B 23 %, C 4 %, 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 | PETG: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 32 % (59 rows) | 20 % (41 rows) |
| Organic acids | 54 % (63 rows) | 70 % (33 rows) |
| Alkalis | 18 % (22 rows) | 45 % (20 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 91 % (197 rows) | 100 % (159 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 66 % (61 rows) | 29 % (38 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 72 % (57 rows) | 100 % (40 rows) |
| Phenols | 14 % (14 rows) | – |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 14 % (35 rows) | 21 % (24 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 1 % (69 rows) | 57 % (28 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 13 % (38 rows) | 78 % (9 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (14 rows) | – |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 55 % (75 rows) | 98 % (65 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 73 % (48 rows) | 100 % (34 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (70 rows) | 32 % (25 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 91 % (46 rows) | 100 % (43 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 84 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polycarbonate | PETG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | A | D |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | D | A |
| Benzoic Acid | aqueous | D | A |
| Bromochloromethane | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Calcium Hydroxide | concentrated | D | A |
| Calcium Hydroxide | aqueous | D | A |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Cloves | ground | D | A |
| Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) | D | A | |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | D | A | |
| Dioxane | D | A | |
| Fluorosilicic Acid | 32 % | A | D |
| Isopropyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Kerosene | D | A | |
| Methanol | D | A | |
| Nitrobenzene | D | A | |
| Nitrotoluene | technical grade | D | A |
| Polyester Resins | D | A | |
| Styrene | 100 % | D | A |
| Sulfurous Acid | saturated | D | A |
| Tetrahydrofuran (THF) | D | A | |
| Tetrahydronaphthalene | technical grade | D | A |
| Toluene | D | A | |
| Tricresyl Phosphate (TCP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Turpentine Oil | D | A | |
| Vinyl Chloride | technical grade | D | A |
| Alanine | D | B | |
| Allyl Alcohol | 96 % | C | A |
| Ammonium Fluoride | saturated | D | B |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | D | B | |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | 30 % | D | B |
| Bitter Orange Oil | C | A | |
| Bromobenzene | D | B | |
| Butyl Stearate | 100 % | 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 PETG more chemical-resistant?
Of 614 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polycarbonate and PETG share the same rating in 331 rows (54 %). Polycarbonate is rated better in 85 rows and PETG in 198 rows.
How do Polycarbonate and PETG compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 614 chemicals tested for both: Polycarbonate is rated better with Oxidising agents and halogens, Mineral acids. PETG is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds, Esters and ethers, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Salts and salt solutions, Ketones and aldehydes, 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.