Summary
- PP is rated better with
- Organic acids (+72 points); Phenols (+71 points); Mineral acids (+65 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+46 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+29 points); Alcohols and glycols (+26 points); Salts and salt solutions (+21 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+16 points)
- Nylon (PA) is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+86 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+59 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+34 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+23 points); Esters and ethers (+17 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; 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 %
Nylon (PA)
Polyamide (nylon)
Polyamide (nylon) resists fuels, oils and many solvents. Mineral acids, even dilute, and strong oxidisers attack it, and it absorbs water.
Rated rows: 945. A 44 %, B 21 %, C 17 %, D 18 %
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 | Nylon (PA): rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 70 % (63 rows) | 5 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 97 % (64 rows) | 25 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 91 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 99 % (198 rows) | 78 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 72 % (61 rows) | 26 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 93 % (59 rows) | 67 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 79 % (14 rows) | 8 % (13 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 69 % (35 rows) | 53 % (32 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 63 % (71 rows) | 80 % (65 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 79 % (39 rows) | 50 % (34 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 14 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 63 % (78 rows) | 97 % (73 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 75 % (48 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 4 % (70 rows) | 63 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (46 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 307 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PP | Nylon (PA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| Acetic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 100 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 5 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Ammonium Persulfate | saturated | A | D |
| Ammonium Persulfate | aqueous | A | D |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Antimony Pentachloride | A | D | |
| Antimony Trichloride | 90 % | A | D |
| Antimony Trichloride | anhydrous | A | D |
| Antimony Trichloride | aqueous | A | D |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | A | D |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Bromobenzene | D | A | |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | D | A |
| Butene | technical grade | D | A |
| Calcium Chloride | alcoholic solution | A | D |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | A | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | aqueous | A | D |
| Cetyl Alcohol | 100 % | A | D |
| Chloric Acid | 1 % | A | D |
| Chloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Chlorodifluoromethane | D | A | |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Clophen A60 (PCB) | D | A | |
| Developer Fluids | A | D | |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | technical grade | A | D |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) | D | A | |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) | technical grade | D | A |
| Dichlorofluoromethane | 100 % | D | A |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Diethylbenzene | D | A | |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Dimethyl Ether | gas | 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 PP or Nylon (PA) more chemical-resistant?
Of 943 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PP and Nylon (PA) share the same rating in 415 rows (44 %). PP is rated better in 369 rows and Nylon (PA) in 159 rows.
How do PP and Nylon (PA) compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 943 chemicals tested for both: PP is rated better with Organic acids, Phenols, Mineral acids, Oxidising agents and halogens. Nylon (PA) is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils. They perform similarly with Alkalis, 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.