Summary
- Polystyrene is rated better with
- Alkalis (+82 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+34 points); Organic acids (+20 points); Mineral acids (+19 points)
- Polycarbonate is rated better with
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+31 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+25 points); Foods and beverages (+22 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; Alcohols and glycols; Phenols; Ketones and aldehydes; Esters and ethers; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Halogenated 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 %
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 %
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 | Polycarbonate: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 51 % (41 rows) | 32 % (59 rows) |
| Organic acids | 74 % (34 rows) | 54 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (17 rows) | 18 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (88 rows) | 91 % (197 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 71 % (34 rows) | 66 % (61 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 64 % (36 rows) | 72 % (57 rows) |
| Phenols | 22 % (9 rows) | 14 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 5 % (21 rows) | 14 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 3 % (38 rows) | 1 % (69 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 47 % (15 rows) | 13 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (13 rows) | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 24 % (38 rows) | 55 % (75 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 48 % (27 rows) | 73 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (36 rows) | 0 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 69 % (32 rows) | 91 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 66 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polystyrene | Polycarbonate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetamide | saturated | A | D |
| Alanine | A | D | |
| Butane | technical grade | D | A |
| Calcium Hydroxide | aqueous | A | D |
| Carbazole | A | D | |
| Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) | A | D | |
| Formaldehyde Solution | 30 % | D | A |
| Formaldehyde Solution | 40 % | D | A |
| Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) | technical grade | A | D |
| Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) | aqueous | A | D |
| n-Heptane | D | A | |
| Pepper | ground | D | A |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 30 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 30 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 45 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 60 % | A | D |
| Tannin | A | D | |
| Almond Oil | C | A | |
| Ammonium Carbonate | 50 % | A | C |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | B | D | |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | 30 % | B | D |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | 5 % | A | C |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | B | D |
| Calcium Hydroxide | concentrated | B | D |
| Camphor | A | C | |
| Caraway | ground | D | B |
| Cardamom | D | B | |
| Cedar Oil | D | B | |
| Chlorine | 10 % wet | D | B |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | A | C |
| Cinnamon | ground | C | A |
| Cinnamon Oil | D | B | |
| Diethanolamine | 100 % | A | C |
| Ethanol | 96 % | C | A |
| Ethyl Alcohol | 96 % | C | A |
| Ethyl Glycol | 100 % | D | B |
| Formaldehyde Solution | 10 % | C | A |
| Formamide | technical grade | A | C |
| Ginger | ground | D | B |
| Glycerin | any concentration | A | C |
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 Polycarbonate more chemical-resistant?
Of 501 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polystyrene and Polycarbonate share the same rating in 294 rows (59 %). Polystyrene is rated better in 104 rows and Polycarbonate in 103 rows.
How do Polystyrene and Polycarbonate compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 501 chemicals tested for both: Polystyrene is rated better with Alkalis, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Organic acids, Mineral acids. Polycarbonate is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Foods and beverages. They perform similarly with Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens, Alcohols and glycols, Phenols.
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.