Summary
- Polystyrene is rated better with
- Oxidising agents and halogens (+56 points); Mineral acids (+38 points); Organic acids (+37 points); Alkalis (+36 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+34 points); Phenols (+22 points); Alcohols and glycols (+19 points); Salts and salt solutions (+18 points)
- NBR is rated better with
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+35 points); Foods and beverages (+24 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+21 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+20 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Ketones and aldehydes; Esters and ethers; 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 %
NBR
Nitrile butadiene rubber
Nitrile rubber resists mineral oils and fuels. Ketones, esters, chlorinated solvents, strong oxidisers and ozone attack it.
Rated rows: 983. A 36 %, B 9 %, C 19 %, D 36 %
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 | NBR: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 51 % (41 rows) | 13 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 74 % (34 rows) | 37 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (17 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (88 rows) | 82 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 71 % (34 rows) | 15 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 64 % (36 rows) | 45 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 22 % (9 rows) | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 5 % (21 rows) | 9 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 3 % (38 rows) | 1 % (76 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 47 % (15 rows) | 13 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (13 rows) | 7 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 24 % (38 rows) | 59 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 48 % (27 rows) | 69 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (36 rows) | 20 % (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: 105 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polystyrene | NBR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ammonium Carbonate | 50 % | A | D |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | A | D |
| Butane | technical grade | D | A |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | A | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | aqueous | A | D |
| Calcium Nitrate | 50 % | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Copper(II) Nitrate | saturated | A | D |
| Cyclohexane | D | A | |
| Diethanolamine | 100 % | A | D |
| Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) | A | D | |
| Formaldehyde Solution | 30 % | D | A |
| Formamide | technical grade | A | D |
| Formic Acid | 3 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 30 % | A | D |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 90 % | A | D |
| Kerosene | D | A | |
| n-Heptane | D | A | |
| n-Hexane | D | A | |
| Petroleum | technical grade | D | A |
| Petroleum Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Phosphoric Acid | 85 % | A | D |
| Phthalic Acid | saturated | A | D |
| Pine Needle Oil | D | A | |
| Potassium Chlorate | saturated | A | D |
| Potassium Chlorate | aqueous | A | D |
| Potassium Permanganate | A | D | |
| Potassium Persulfate | any concentration | A | D |
| Propane | gaseous | D | A |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) | 12,5 % Cl | A | D |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) | 15 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) | saturated | A | D |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) | dilute | A | D |
| Sulfur | technical grade | A | D |
| Sulfuric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Tar | A | D | |
| Test Fuel A (ISO Fluid A) | D | A | |
| Tin(IV) Chloride | aqueous | 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 NBR more chemical-resistant?
Of 503 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polystyrene and NBR share the same rating in 298 rows (59 %). Polystyrene is rated better in 133 rows and NBR in 72 rows.
How do Polystyrene and NBR compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 503 chemicals tested for both: Polystyrene is rated better with Oxidising agents and halogens, Mineral acids, Organic acids, Alkalis. NBR is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Foods and beverages, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, 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.