Summary
- Polysulfone is rated better with
- Alkalis (+76 points); Salts and salt solutions (+48 points); Mineral acids (+37 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+22 points)
- Aluminium is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+95 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+88 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+83 points); Esters and ethers (+68 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+25 points); Alcohols and glycols (+24 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+13 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Organic acids; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
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 %
Aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium relies on a thin oxide layer. Strong acids, strong alkalis and mercury compounds destroy that layer.
Rated rows: 968. A 60 %, B 9 %, C 16 %, D 16 %
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 | Polysulfone: rated A or B | Aluminium: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 53 % (34 rows) | 16 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 69 % (26 rows) | 67 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (15 rows) | 24 % (21 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (49 rows) | 52 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 67 % (15 rows) | 45 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 74 % (31 rows) | 98 % (59 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 86 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 14 % (14 rows) | 97 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 26 % (23 rows) | 94 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 0 % (8 rows) | 95 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 12 % (8 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 75 % (24 rows) | 100 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | – | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 14 % (22 rows) | 27 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (9 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 142 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polysulfone | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | D | A |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetamide | saturated | D | A |
| Acetone | D | A | |
| Acetonitrile | D | A | |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Aluminum Nitrate | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate | any concentration | A | D |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Benzyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Bromobenzene | D | A | |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | saturated | A | D |
| Carbazole | D | A | |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | D | A |
| Copper Sulfate (Copper Vitriol) | aqueous | A | D |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Cumene | D | A | |
| Cyclohexane | D | A | |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | D | A |
| Decahydronaphthalene | D | A | |
| Dichloromethane | D | A | |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Diethyl Ketone | D | A | |
| Diethylbenzene | D | A | |
| Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) | D | A | |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | D | A | |
| Ethyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Ethyl Benzoate | D | A | |
| Ethyl Butyrate | 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 Polysulfone or Aluminium more chemical-resistant?
Of 302 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polysulfone and Aluminium share the same rating in 108 rows (36 %). Polysulfone is rated better in 73 rows and Aluminium in 121 rows.
How do Polysulfone and Aluminium compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 302 chemicals tested for both: Polysulfone is rated better with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, Mineral acids, Oxidising agents and halogens. Aluminium is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds, Aromatic hydrocarbons, Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers. They perform similarly with Organic acids, Foods and beverages.
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.