Summary
- Polycarbonate is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+13 points)
- Polysulfone is rated better with
- Alkalis (+82 points); Esters and ethers (+25 points); Mineral acids (+21 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+20 points); Organic acids (+15 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+14 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+12 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; Alcohols and glycols; 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 %
Polysulfone
Polysulfone
Polysulfone withstands hot water and steam. Ketones, esters and chlorinated and aromatic solvents attack it.
Rated rows: 303. A 51 %, B 10 %, C 10 %, D 30 %
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 | Polysulfone: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 32 % (59 rows) | 53 % (34 rows) |
| Organic acids | 54 % (63 rows) | 69 % (26 rows) |
| Alkalis | 18 % (22 rows) | 100 % (15 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 91 % (197 rows) | 100 % (49 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 66 % (61 rows) | 67 % (15 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 72 % (57 rows) | 74 % (31 rows) |
| Phenols | 14 % (14 rows) | – |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 14 % (35 rows) | 14 % (14 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 1 % (69 rows) | 26 % (23 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 13 % (38 rows) | 0 % (8 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (14 rows) | 12 % (8 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 55 % (75 rows) | 75 % (24 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 73 % (48 rows) | – |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (70 rows) | 14 % (22 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 91 % (46 rows) | 100 % (9 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 49 in total, the first 40 shown.
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 Polysulfone more chemical-resistant?
Of 303 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polycarbonate and Polysulfone share the same rating in 199 rows (66 %). Polycarbonate is rated better in 30 rows and Polysulfone in 74 rows.
How do Polycarbonate and Polysulfone compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 303 chemicals tested for both: Polycarbonate is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds. Polysulfone is rated better with Alkalis, Esters and ethers, Mineral acids, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens, Alcohols and glycols, Ketones and aldehydes.
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.