Summary
- SS 304 is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+100 points); Esters and ethers (+99 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+88 points); Phenols (+86 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+86 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+82 points); Alkalis (+82 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+45 points); Organic acids (+42 points); Mineral acids (+31 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; Oxidising agents and halogens; 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 %
SS 304
Stainless steel 1.4301 (AISI 304)
Stainless steel 304 (1.4301) resists oxidising acids and most organic chemicals. Chlorides cause pitting and stress-corrosion cracking.
Rated rows: 865. A 88 %, B 5 %, C 2 %, D 5 %
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 | SS 304: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 32 % (59 rows) | 63 % (60 rows) |
| Organic acids | 54 % (63 rows) | 96 % (53 rows) |
| Alkalis | 18 % (22 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 91 % (197 rows) | 93 % (175 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 66 % (61 rows) | 66 % (56 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 72 % (57 rows) | 100 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 14 % (14 rows) | 100 % (11 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 14 % (35 rows) | 100 % (33 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 1 % (69 rows) | 100 % (69 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 13 % (38 rows) | 95 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 55 % (75 rows) | 100 % (76 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 73 % (48 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (70 rows) | 88 % (24 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: 353 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polycarbonate | SS 304 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dibromoethane | D | A | |
| 1,3-Butadiene | 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 | |
| Allspice | ground | D | A |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Mustard Oil | D | A | |
| Aluminum Chloride | 10 % | A | D |
| 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 Cinnamaldehyde | D | A | |
| Amyl Phthalate | 100 % | D | A |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Anisole | 100 % | D | A |
| Antimony Trichloride | 90 % | A | D |
| Antimony Trichloride | anhydrous | A | D |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | D | A |
| Benzoic Acid | aqueous | D | A |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Brake Fluid | D | A | |
| Bromobenzene | D | A | |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | 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 SS 304 more chemical-resistant?
Of 843 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polycarbonate and SS 304 share the same rating in 260 rows (31 %). Polycarbonate is rated better in 52 rows and SS 304 in 531 rows.
How do Polycarbonate and SS 304 compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 843 chemicals tested for both: Polycarbonate is rated better with –. SS 304 is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Phenols. They perform similarly with Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens, 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.