Summary
- Polystyrene is rated better with
- Alkalis (+55 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+42 points); Mineral acids (+31 points)
- PETG is rated better with
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+74 points); Esters and ethers (+54 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+52 points); Alcohols and glycols (+36 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+32 points); Foods and beverages (+31 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+31 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+16 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Organic acids; Salts and salt solutions
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 %
PETG
Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (co-polyester)
PETG is a co-polyester for clear containers. Strong acids and alkalis and most organic solvents attack it.
Rated rows: 619. A 55 %, B 23 %, C 4 %, D 18 %
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 | PETG: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 51 % (41 rows) | 20 % (41 rows) |
| Organic acids | 74 % (34 rows) | 70 % (33 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (17 rows) | 45 % (20 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (88 rows) | 100 % (159 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 71 % (34 rows) | 29 % (38 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 64 % (36 rows) | 100 % (40 rows) |
| Phenols | 22 % (9 rows) | – |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 5 % (21 rows) | 21 % (24 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 3 % (38 rows) | 57 % (28 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 47 % (15 rows) | 78 % (9 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (13 rows) | – |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 24 % (38 rows) | 98 % (65 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 48 % (27 rows) | 100 % (34 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (36 rows) | 32 % (25 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 69 % (32 rows) | 100 % (43 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 98 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polystyrene | PETG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | A | D |
| Bitter Orange Oil | D | A | |
| Bromochloromethane | 100 % | D | A |
| Butane | technical grade | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Caraway | ground | D | A |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Chlorodifluoromethane | D | A | |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Cloves | ground | D | A |
| Cyclohexane | D | A | |
| Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) | D | A | |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Dimethyl Ether | gas | D | A |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | D | A | |
| Dioxane | D | A | |
| Ethylene Oxide | D | A | |
| Formaldehyde Solution | 30 % | D | A |
| Formaldehyde Solution | 40 % | D | A |
| Hydroquinone | saturated | D | A |
| Isopropyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Kerosene | D | A | |
| Lemon Peel Oil | D | A | |
| n-Heptane | D | A | |
| n-Hexane | D | A | |
| Nitrobenzene | D | A | |
| Nitrotoluene | technical grade | D | A |
| n-Octane | D | A | |
| Pepper | ground | D | A |
| Perfumes | D | A | |
| Petroleum | technical grade | D | A |
| Petroleum Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 30 % | A | D |
| Propane | gaseous | D | A |
| Propene | D | A | |
| Regular Fuel | 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 PETG more chemical-resistant?
Of 358 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polystyrene and PETG share the same rating in 184 rows (51 %). Polystyrene is rated better in 81 rows and PETG in 93 rows.
How do Polystyrene and PETG compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 358 chemicals tested for both: Polystyrene is rated better with Alkalis, Oxidising agents and halogens, Mineral acids. PETG is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Alcohols and glycols. They perform similarly with Organic acids, Salts and salt solutions.
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.