Summary
- PP is rated better with
- Phenols (+79 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+66 points); Esters and ethers (+62 points); Organic acids (+60 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+60 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+57 points); Mineral acids (+57 points); Alcohols and glycols (+48 points); Alkalis (+36 points); Salts and salt solutions (+17 points)
- NBR is rated better with
- Halogenated hydrocarbons (+16 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Aromatic hydrocarbons; Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons; Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
PP
Polypropylene
Polypropylene resists most acids, alkalis and salt solutions. Concentrated oxidising acids, chlorinated solvents and aromatic hydrocarbons attack it, and it turns brittle below about 0 °C.
Rated rows: 978. A 66 %, B 11 %, C 15 %, D 8 %
NBR
Nitrile butadiene rubber
Nitrile rubber resists mineral oils and fuels. Ketones, esters, chlorinated solvents, strong oxidisers and ozone attack it.
Rated rows: 983. A 36 %, B 9 %, C 19 %, D 36 %
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 | PP: rated A or B | NBR: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 70 % (63 rows) | 13 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 97 % (64 rows) | 37 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 99 % (198 rows) | 82 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 72 % (61 rows) | 15 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 93 % (59 rows) | 45 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 79 % (14 rows) | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 69 % (35 rows) | 9 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 63 % (71 rows) | 1 % (76 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 79 % (39 rows) | 13 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 14 % (14 rows) | 7 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 63 % (78 rows) | 59 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 75 % (48 rows) | 69 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 4 % (70 rows) | 20 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (46 rows) | 93 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 358 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PP | NBR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | 100 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Acetic Anhydride | technical grade | A | D |
| Acetone | A | D | |
| Acetophenone | A | D | |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Ammonium Carbonate | 50 % | A | D |
| Ammonium Carbonate | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | A | D | |
| Ammonium Persulfate | saturated | A | D |
| Ammonium Persulfate | aqueous | A | D |
| Antimony Pentachloride | A | D | |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | A | D |
| Benzaldehyde | A | D | |
| Benzyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Bisulfite Liquor with SO2 | saturated | A | D |
| Bitter Almond Oil | A | D | |
| Brake Fluid | A | D | |
| Butylphenol | 100 % | A | D |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | A | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | saturated | A | D |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | aqueous | A | D |
| Calcium Nitrate | 50 % | A | D |
| Camphor Oil | D | A | |
| Chloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Coal Tar Oil | 100 % | A | D |
| Copper(II) Nitrate | saturated | A | D |
| Crotonaldehyde | technical grade | A | D |
| Dibutyl Sebacate | technical grade | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | technical grade | A | D |
| Dicyclohexyl Phthalate | technical grade | A | D |
| Diethanolamine | 100 % | A | D |
| Diethylamine | technical grade | A | D |
| Diglycolic Acid | 30 % | A | D |
| Diglycolic Acid | aqueous | A | D |
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 PP or NBR more chemical-resistant?
Of 973 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PP and NBR share the same rating in 418 rows (43 %). PP is rated better in 500 rows and NBR in 55 rows.
How do PP and NBR compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 973 chemicals tested for both: PP is rated better with Phenols, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Esters and ethers, Organic acids. NBR is rated better with Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, 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.