Summary
- Polystyrene is rated better with
- Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+44 points); Organic acids (+27 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+23 points); Phenols (+15 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+14 points); Mineral acids (+11 points); Alcohols and glycols (+11 points)
- EPDM is rated better with
- Ketones and aldehydes (+26 points); Foods and beverages (+24 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+23 points); Esters and ethers (+22 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; Aromatic hydrocarbons
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 %
EPDM
Ethylene propylene diene rubber
EPDM resists water, steam, alkalis, ketones and alcohols. Mineral oils, fuels and aromatic solvents swell it severely.
Rated rows: 976. A 44 %, B 9 %, C 20 %, D 28 %
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 | EPDM: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 51 % (41 rows) | 40 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 74 % (34 rows) | 47 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (17 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (88 rows) | 98 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 71 % (34 rows) | 65 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 64 % (36 rows) | 53 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 22 % (9 rows) | 7 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 5 % (21 rows) | 31 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 3 % (38 rows) | 25 % (72 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 47 % (15 rows) | 33 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (13 rows) | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 24 % (38 rows) | 1 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 48 % (27 rows) | 4 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (36 rows) | 23 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 69 % (32 rows) | 93 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 89 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polystyrene | EPDM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetone | D | A | |
| Beef Tallow | A | D | |
| Bone Oil | A | D | |
| Camphor | A | D | |
| Chlorodifluoromethane | D | A | |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Cinnamaldehyde | D | A | |
| Coconut Fat | A | D | |
| Corn Germ Oil | technical grade | A | D |
| Dipropylene Glycol | A | D | |
| Formaldehyde Solution | 30 % | D | A |
| Formaldehyde Solution | 40 % | D | A |
| Lanolin | technical grade | A | D |
| Linseed Oil | technical grade | A | D |
| Margarine | A | D | |
| Methyl Butyl Ketone | D | A | |
| Mineral Oil | A | D | |
| Oleic Acid | technical grade | A | D |
| Olive Oil | A | D | |
| Palm Kernel Oil | A | D | |
| Palmitic Acid | technical grade | A | D |
| Paraffins | 100 % | A | D |
| Peanut Oil | A | D | |
| Petroleum Oil | A | D | |
| Stauffer Grease | A | D | |
| Sulfur Dioxide | liquid | D | A |
| Tar | A | D | |
| Tin(IV) Chloride | aqueous | D | A |
| Town Gas (Benzene-free) | A | D | |
| Transformer Oil | A | D | |
| Waxes | A | D | |
| Zinc Ointment | A | D | |
| 1-Ethylhexanol | C | A | |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | B | D |
| Allspice | ground | D | B |
| Amyl Alcohol (1-Pentanol) | A | C | |
| Brake Fluid | C | A | |
| Butter | A | C | |
| Caraway | ground | D | B |
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 EPDM more chemical-resistant?
Of 504 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polystyrene and EPDM share the same rating in 288 rows (57 %). Polystyrene is rated better in 97 rows and EPDM in 119 rows.
How do Polystyrene and EPDM compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 504 chemicals tested for both: Polystyrene is rated better with Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Organic acids, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Phenols. EPDM is rated better with Ketones and aldehydes, Foods and beverages, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens, Aromatic hydrocarbons.
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.