Summary
- SS 304 is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+95 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+88 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+86 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+74 points); Esters and ethers (+74 points); Organic acids (+27 points); Alcohols and glycols (+26 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+25 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Mineral acids; Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; 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 %
SS 304
Stainless steel 1.4301 (AISI 304)
Stainless steel 304 (1.4301) resists oxidising acids and most organic chemicals. Chlorides cause pitting and stress-corrosion cracking.
Rated rows: 865. A 88 %, B 5 %, C 2 %, D 5 %
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 | SS 304: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 53 % (34 rows) | 63 % (60 rows) |
| Organic acids | 69 % (26 rows) | 96 % (53 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (15 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (49 rows) | 93 % (175 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 67 % (15 rows) | 66 % (56 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 74 % (31 rows) | 100 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 100 % (11 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 14 % (14 rows) | 100 % (33 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 26 % (23 rows) | 100 % (69 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 0 % (8 rows) | 95 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 12 % (8 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 75 % (24 rows) | 100 % (76 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | – | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 14 % (22 rows) | 88 % (24 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (9 rows) | 100 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 107 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polysulfone | SS 304 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | D | A |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetamide | saturated | D | A |
| Acetic Anhydride | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetone | D | A | |
| Acetonitrile | D | A | |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Benzyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Bromobenzene | D | A | |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Carbazole | D | A | |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | 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 |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | D | A |
| 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 |
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 SS 304 more chemical-resistant?
Of 282 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polysulfone and SS 304 share the same rating in 135 rows (48 %). Polysulfone is rated better in 24 rows and SS 304 in 123 rows.
How do Polysulfone and SS 304 compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 282 chemicals tested for both: Polysulfone is rated better with –. SS 304 is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds, Aromatic hydrocarbons, Ketones and aldehydes, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Mineral acids, 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.