Summary
- Polystyrene is rated better with
- Alkalis (+36 points)
- PVDF is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+100 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+73 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+72 points); Esters and ethers (+61 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+57 points); Phenols (+49 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+40 points); Mineral acids (+36 points); Alcohols and glycols (+34 points); Foods and beverages (+29 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+29 points); Organic acids (+20 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+16 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- 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 %
PVDF
Polyvinylidene fluoride
PVDF resists acids, halogens and hydrocarbons. Strong bases, amines, ketones and esters attack it. Service temperature is up to about 150 °C.
Rated rows: 944. A 73 %, B 15 %, C 10 %, D 2 %
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 | PVDF: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 51 % (41 rows) | 87 % (61 rows) |
| Organic acids | 74 % (34 rows) | 94 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (17 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (88 rows) | 99 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 71 % (34 rows) | 87 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 64 % (36 rows) | 98 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 22 % (9 rows) | 71 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 5 % (21 rows) | 62 % (34 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 3 % (38 rows) | 64 % (66 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 47 % (15 rows) | 76 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (13 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 24 % (38 rows) | 97 % (72 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 48 % (27 rows) | 88 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (36 rows) | 72 % (54 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 69 % (32 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 192 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polystyrene | PVDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dibromoethane | D | A | |
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | D | A |
| Acetonitrile | D | A | |
| Allspice | ground | D | A |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Bromine | D | A | |
| Bromine Water | saturated | D | A |
| Bromobenzene | 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 Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Cardamom | D | A | |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chlorine Water | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride) | D | A | |
| Chloroform | 100 % | D | A |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | D | A |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Cyclohexane | D | A | |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | D | A |
| Decahydronaphthalene | D | A | |
| Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) | D | A | |
| Dibutyl Sebacate | technical grade | D | A |
| Dichloroethylene | technical grade | 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 PVDF more chemical-resistant?
Of 502 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polystyrene and PVDF share the same rating in 223 rows (44 %). Polystyrene is rated better in 28 rows and PVDF in 251 rows.
How do Polystyrene and PVDF compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 502 chemicals tested for both: Polystyrene is rated better with Alkalis. PVDF is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers. They perform similarly with 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.