Summary
- Polystyrene is rated better with
- Alkalis (+76 points); Salts and salt solutions (+48 points); Mineral acids (+35 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+26 points)
- Aluminium is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+100 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+92 points); Esters and ethers (+91 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+76 points); Phenols (+64 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+52 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+48 points); Alcohols and glycols (+34 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+27 points); Foods and beverages (+27 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Organic acids
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
Polystyrene
Polystyrene
Polystyrene is attacked by most organic solvents, including ketones, esters, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons. It is used for dilute aqueous solutions.
Rated rows: 504. A 45 %, B 8 %, C 8 %, D 39 %
Aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium relies on a thin oxide layer. Strong acids, strong alkalis and mercury compounds destroy that layer.
Rated rows: 968. A 60 %, B 9 %, C 16 %, D 16 %
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 | Polystyrene: rated A or B | Aluminium: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 51 % (41 rows) | 16 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 74 % (34 rows) | 67 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (17 rows) | 24 % (21 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (88 rows) | 52 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 71 % (34 rows) | 45 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 64 % (36 rows) | 98 % (59 rows) |
| Phenols | 22 % (9 rows) | 86 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 5 % (21 rows) | 97 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 3 % (38 rows) | 94 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 47 % (15 rows) | 95 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (13 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 24 % (38 rows) | 100 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 48 % (27 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (36 rows) | 27 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 69 % (32 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 249 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polystyrene | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | D | A |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | D | A |
| Acetone | D | A | |
| Acetonitrile | D | A | |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Allspice | ground | D | A |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Aluminum Chloride | 10 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Nitrate | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate | any concentration | A | D |
| Ammonium Iron(II) Sulfate | A | D | |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Amyl Phthalate | 100 % | D | A |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Anisole | 100 % | D | A |
| Arsenic Acid | A | D | |
| Arsenic Acid | aqueous | A | D |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Benzyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Bitter Orange Oil | D | A | |
| Bromobenzene | D | A | |
| Butane | technical grade | D | A |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyric Acid | D | A | |
| Cadmium Bromide | A | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | A | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | aqueous | A | D |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Cardamom | D | A | |
| Cedar Oil | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | 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 Polystyrene or Aluminium more chemical-resistant?
Of 502 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polystyrene and Aluminium share the same rating in 177 rows (35 %). Polystyrene is rated better in 104 rows and Aluminium in 221 rows.
How do Polystyrene and Aluminium compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 502 chemicals tested for both: Polystyrene is rated better with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, Mineral acids, Oxidising agents and halogens. Aluminium is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Organic acids.
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.