Summary
- Polystyrene is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+47 points)
- Polysulfone is rated better with
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+51 points); Foods and beverages (+31 points); Esters and ethers (+23 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+14 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+12 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Mineral acids; Organic acids; Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; Alcohols and glycols; Ketones and aldehydes
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 %
Polysulfone
Polysulfone
Polysulfone withstands hot water and steam. Ketones, esters and chlorinated and aromatic solvents attack it.
Rated rows: 303. A 51 %, B 10 %, C 10 %, D 30 %
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 | Polysulfone: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 51 % (41 rows) | 53 % (34 rows) |
| Organic acids | 74 % (34 rows) | 69 % (26 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (17 rows) | 100 % (15 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (88 rows) | 100 % (49 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 71 % (34 rows) | 67 % (15 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 64 % (36 rows) | 74 % (31 rows) |
| Phenols | 22 % (9 rows) | – |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 5 % (21 rows) | 14 % (14 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 3 % (38 rows) | 26 % (23 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 47 % (15 rows) | 0 % (8 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (13 rows) | 12 % (8 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 24 % (38 rows) | 75 % (24 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 48 % (27 rows) | – |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (36 rows) | 14 % (22 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 69 % (32 rows) | 100 % (9 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 46 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polystyrene | Polysulfone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetamide | saturated | A | D |
| Alanine | A | D | |
| Butane | technical grade | D | A |
| Carbazole | A | D | |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) | D | A | |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) | D | A | |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) | technical grade | D | A |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) | A | D | |
| Ethyl Glycol | 100 % | D | A |
| Ethylene Oxide | D | A | |
| Isopropyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| n-Heptane | D | A | |
| n-Hexane | D | A | |
| Petroleum | technical grade | D | A |
| Petroleum Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Trifluorotrichloroethane | 100 % | D | A |
| Amyl Alcohol (1-Pentanol) | A | C | |
| Butyric Acid | D | B | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | B | D | |
| Crude Oil | 100 % | C | A |
| Cyclohexanol | technical grade | C | A |
| Dioxane | D | B | |
| Ethanol | 96 % | C | A |
| Ethyl Alcohol | 96 % | C | A |
| Formaldehyde Solution | 40 % | D | B |
| Heating Oil | C | A | |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 35 % | C | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid | concentrated | C | A |
| Hydrogen Sulfide | saturated | C | A |
| Isooctane | technical grade | C | A |
| Kerosene | D | B | |
| Naphtha | C | A | |
| Naphthalene | 100 % | C | A |
| Nitric Acid | 50 % | D | B |
| n-Octane | D | B | |
| Perchloric Acid | 70 % | B | D |
| Potassium Hypochlorite | dilute | C | A |
| Propylene Oxide | 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 Polysulfone more chemical-resistant?
Of 287 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polystyrene and Polysulfone share the same rating in 187 rows (65 %). Polystyrene is rated better in 25 rows and Polysulfone in 75 rows.
How do Polystyrene and Polysulfone compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 287 chemicals tested for both: Polystyrene is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds. Polysulfone is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Foods and beverages, Esters and ethers, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Mineral acids, Organic acids, Alkalis, 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.