Summary
- PTFE is rated better with
- Halogenated hydrocarbons (+100 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+100 points); Esters and ethers (+99 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+87 points); Phenols (+86 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+86 points); Alkalis (+82 points); Mineral acids (+68 points); Organic acids (+46 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+45 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+34 points); Alcohols and glycols (+28 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+27 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Salts and salt solutions; 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 %
PTFE
Polytetrafluoroethylene
PTFE is resistant to almost every chemical in this list. The known exceptions are molten alkali metals, elemental fluorine and some fluorinating agents at elevated temperature.
Rated rows: 981. A 98 %, B 2 %, C 0 %, D 0 %
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 | PTFE: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 32 % (59 rows) | 100 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 54 % (63 rows) | 100 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 18 % (22 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 91 % (197 rows) | 100 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 66 % (61 rows) | 100 % (63 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 72 % (57 rows) | 100 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 14 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 14 % (35 rows) | 100 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 1 % (69 rows) | 100 % (74 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 13 % (38 rows) | 100 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 55 % (75 rows) | 100 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 73 % (48 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (70 rows) | 100 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 91 % (46 rows) | 100 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 444 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polycarbonate | PTFE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dibromoethane | D | A | |
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | D | A |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetamide | saturated | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 100 % | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | D | A |
| Acetic Anhydride | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetone | D | A | |
| Acetonitrile | D | A | |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Acetyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Alanine | D | A | |
| Allspice | ground | D | A |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Mustard Oil | D | A | |
| 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 |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Amyl Cinnamaldehyde | D | A | |
| Amyl Phthalate | 100 % | D | A |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Anisole | 100 % | D | A |
| Aqua Regia | D | A | |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | D | A |
| Benzoic Acid | aqueous | D | A |
| Benzoyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Brake Fluid | 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 PTFE more chemical-resistant?
Of 950 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polycarbonate and PTFE share the same rating in 263 rows (28 %). Polycarbonate is rated better in 1 rows and PTFE in 686 rows.
How do Polycarbonate and PTFE compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 950 chemicals tested for both: Polycarbonate is rated better with –. PTFE is rated better with Halogenated hydrocarbons, Aromatic hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers, Amines and nitrogen compounds. They perform similarly with Salts and salt solutions, 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.