Summary
- SS 316 is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+100 points); Esters and ethers (+97 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+95 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+88 points); Phenols (+78 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+76 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+52 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+48 points); Alcohols and glycols (+36 points); Foods and beverages (+31 points); Organic acids (+24 points); Mineral acids (+14 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens
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 %
SS 316
Stainless steel 1.4401 (AISI 316)
Stainless steel 316 (1.4401) contains molybdenum, which improves resistance to chlorides over 304. Hydrochloric acid and other halide acids still cause pitting.
Rated rows: 868. A 89 %, B 4 %, C 2 %, D 4 %
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 | SS 316: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 51 % (41 rows) | 65 % (60 rows) |
| Organic acids | 74 % (34 rows) | 98 % (55 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (17 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (88 rows) | 93 % (175 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 71 % (34 rows) | 79 % (57 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 64 % (36 rows) | 100 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 22 % (9 rows) | 100 % (11 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 5 % (21 rows) | 100 % (33 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 3 % (38 rows) | 100 % (69 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 47 % (15 rows) | 95 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (13 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 24 % (38 rows) | 100 % (76 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 48 % (27 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (36 rows) | 88 % (24 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: 203 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polystyrene | SS 316 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dibromoethane | D | A | |
| 1,3-Butadiene | 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 Phthalate | 100 % | D | A |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Anisole | 100 % | 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Cedar Oil | D | A | |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride) | D | A | |
| Chloroform | 100 % | D | A |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | D | A |
| Cinnamaldehyde | 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 SS 316 more chemical-resistant?
Of 466 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polystyrene and SS 316 share the same rating in 212 rows (45 %). Polystyrene is rated better in 28 rows and SS 316 in 226 rows.
How do Polystyrene and SS 316 compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 466 chemicals tested for both: Polystyrene is rated better with –. SS 316 is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers, Ketones and aldehydes, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens.
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.