Summary
- PTFE is rated better with
- Halogenated hydrocarbons (+100 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+100 points); Esters and ethers (+97 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+95 points); Phenols (+78 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+76 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+53 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+52 points); Mineral acids (+49 points); Alcohols and glycols (+36 points); Foods and beverages (+31 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+29 points); Organic acids (+26 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; 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 %
PTFE
Polytetrafluoroethylene
PTFE is resistant to almost every chemical in this list. The known exceptions are molten alkali metals, elemental fluorine and some fluorinating agents at elevated temperature.
Rated rows: 981. A 98 %, B 2 %, C 0 %, D 0 %
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 | PTFE: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 51 % (41 rows) | 100 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 74 % (34 rows) | 100 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (17 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (88 rows) | 100 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 71 % (34 rows) | 100 % (63 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 64 % (36 rows) | 100 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 22 % (9 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 5 % (21 rows) | 100 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 3 % (38 rows) | 100 % (74 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 47 % (15 rows) | 100 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (13 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 24 % (38 rows) | 100 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 48 % (27 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (36 rows) | 100 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 69 % (32 rows) | 100 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 237 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polystyrene | PTFE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dibromoethane | D | A | |
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | D | A |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | D | A |
| Acetic Anhydride | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetone | D | A | |
| Acetonitrile | D | A | |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Allspice | ground | D | A |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Amyl Phthalate | 100 % | D | A |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Anisole | 100 % | D | A |
| Aqua Regia | D | A | |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Benzyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Bitter Orange Oil | D | A | |
| Bromine | D | A | |
| Bromine Water | saturated | D | A |
| Bromobenzene | D | A | |
| Bromochloromethane | 100 % | D | A |
| Bromoform | D | A | |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | D | A |
| Butane | technical grade | D | A |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyric Acid | D | A | |
| Caraway | ground | D | A |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrabromide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | 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 PTFE more chemical-resistant?
Of 503 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polystyrene and PTFE share the same rating in 227 rows (45 %). Polystyrene is rated better in 1 rows and PTFE in 275 rows.
How do Polystyrene and PTFE compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 503 chemicals tested for both: Polystyrene is rated better with –. PTFE is rated better with Halogenated hydrocarbons, Aromatic hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers, Ketones and aldehydes. They perform similarly with 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.