ChemicalResistance
ChemicalResistance.org

PP vs PETG: Chemical Resistance Compared

Of 618 source rows rated for both materials at 20 °C, 311 (50 %) have the same rating. PP is rated better in 225 rows and PETG in 82. A row is one chemical at one concentration.

Summary

PP is rated better with
Alkalis (+55 points); Mineral acids (+50 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+48 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+43 points); Organic acids (+27 points)
PETG is rated better with
Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+35 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+28 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+25 points)
Within 10 points of each other
Salts and salt solutions; Alcohols and glycols; Esters and ethers; Amines and nitrogen compounds; 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 %

All chemicals for PP

PETG

Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (co-polyester)

PETG is a co-polyester for clear containers. Strong acids and alkalis and most organic solvents attack it.

Rated rows: 619. A 55 %, B 23 %, C 4 %, D 18 %

All chemicals for PETG

Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical class

PP, PETG: Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical classMineral acids: PP 70 %, PETG 20 %. Organic acids: PP 97 %, PETG 70 %. Alkalis: PP 100 %, PETG 45 %. Salts and salt solutions: PP 99 %, PETG 100 %. Oxidising agents and halogens: PP 72 %, PETG 29 %. Alcohols and glycols: PP 93 %, PETG 100 %. Ketones and aldehydes: PP 69 %, PETG 21 %. Esters and ethers: PP 63 %, PETG 57 %. Amines and nitrogen compounds: PP 79 %, PETG 78 %. Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons: PP 63 %, PETG 98 %. Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils: PP 75 %, PETG 100 %. Halogenated hydrocarbons: PP 4 %, PETG 32 %. Foods and beverages: PP 100 %, PETG 100 %.Mineral acidsMineral acids, PP: 70 % (63)70 %Mineral acids, PETG: 20 % (41)20 %Organic acidsOrganic acids, PP: 97 % (64)97 %Organic acids, PETG: 70 % (33)70 %AlkalisAlkalis, PP: 100 % (22)100 %Alkalis, PETG: 45 % (20)45 %Salts and salt solutionsSalts and salt solutions, PP: 99 % (198)99 %Salts and salt solutions, PETG: 100 % (159)100 %Oxidising agents and halogensOxidising agents and halogens, PP: 72 % (61)72 %Oxidising agents and halogens, PETG: 29 % (38)29 %Alcohols and glycolsAlcohols and glycols, PP: 93 % (59)93 %Alcohols and glycols, PETG: 100 % (40)100 %Ketones and aldehydesKetones and aldehydes, PP: 69 % (35)69 %Ketones and aldehydes, PETG: 21 % (24)21 %Esters and ethersEsters and ethers, PP: 63 % (71)63 %Esters and ethers, PETG: 57 % (28)57 %Amines and nitrogen compoundsAmines and nitrogen compounds, PP: 79 % (39)79 %Amines and nitrogen compounds, PETG: 78 % (9)78 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbonsFuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, PP: 63 % (78)63 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, PETG: 98 % (65)98 %Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oilsVegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, PP: 75 % (48)75 %Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, PETG: 100 % (34)100 %Halogenated hydrocarbonsHalogenated hydrocarbons, PP: 4 % (70)4 %Halogenated hydrocarbons, PETG: 32 % (25)32 %Foods and beveragesFoods and beverages, PP: 100 % (46)100 %Foods and beverages, PETG: 100 % (43)100 %
PPPETG
Rating at 20 °C. Only classes with at least 8 rated rows for both materials are shown.

How often the two ratings agree

PP, PETG: How often the two ratings agreePP A, PETG A: 269; PP A, PETG B: 119; PP A, PETG C: 14; PP A, PETG D: 44; PP B, PETG A: 30; PP B, PETG B: 12; PP B, PETG C: 7; PP B, PETG D: 14; PP C, PETG A: 31; PP C, PETG B: 8; PP C, PETG C: 2; PP C, PETG D: 27; PP D, PETG A: 11; PP D, PETG B: 1; PP D, PETG C: 1; PP D, PETG D: 28.PETGABCDPPAPP A, PETG A: 269269PP A, PETG B: 119119PP A, PETG C: 1414PP A, PETG D: 4444BPP B, PETG A: 3030PP B, PETG B: 1212PP B, PETG C: 77PP B, PETG D: 1414CPP C, PETG A: 3131PP C, PETG B: 88PP C, PETG C: 22PP C, PETG D: 2727DPP D, PETG A: 1111PP D, PETG B: 11PP D, PETG C: 11PP D, PETG D: 2828
Number of source rows for each pair of ratings at 20 °C. Outlined cells are rows where both materials have the same rating.

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 classPP: rated A or BPETG: rated A or B
Mineral acids70 % (63 rows)20 % (41 rows)
Organic acids97 % (64 rows)70 % (33 rows)
Alkalis100 % (22 rows)45 % (20 rows)
Salts and salt solutions99 % (198 rows)100 % (159 rows)
Oxidising agents and halogens72 % (61 rows)29 % (38 rows)
Alcohols and glycols93 % (59 rows)100 % (40 rows)
Phenols79 % (14 rows)–
Ketones and aldehydes69 % (35 rows)21 % (24 rows)
Esters and ethers63 % (71 rows)57 % (28 rows)
Amines and nitrogen compounds79 % (39 rows)78 % (9 rows)
Aromatic hydrocarbons14 % (14 rows)–
Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons63 % (78 rows)98 % (65 rows)
Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils75 % (48 rows)100 % (34 rows)
Halogenated hydrocarbons4 % (70 rows)32 % (25 rows)
Foods and beverages100 % (46 rows)100 % (43 rows)

Where the ratings differ most

Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 115 in total, the first 40 shown.

ChemicalConcentrationPPPETG
1,3-ButadieneDA
Acetic Acid100 %AD
Acetic Acid90 %AD
AcetoneAD
AcetophenoneAD
Allyl Acetate100 %AD
Battery Acid38 %AD
BenzaldehydeAD
Bitter Almond OilAD
Bromochloromethane100 %DA
Butenetechnical gradeDA
Carbon TetrachlorideDA
Chloric Acid20 %AD
Chloroacetic AcidAD
Chloroacetic Acid50 %AD
ChlorodifluoromethaneDA
Dichloroacetic Acid50 %AD
Dichloroacetic Acidtechnical gradeAD
Diethyl Ethertechnical gradeDA
Diisobutyl Ketonetechnical gradeAD
Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP)technical gradeDA
Dimethyl EthergasDA
Ethyl Acetate100 %AD
Ethyl Chloroacetatetechnical gradeAD
Fluorosilicic Acid32 %AD
FurfuralDA
Hydrobromic Acid40 %AD
Hydrobromic Acid50 %AD
Hydrochloric Acid35 %AD
Hydrochloric AcidconcentratedAD
Hydrofluoric Acid4 %AD
Hydrofluoric Acid50 %AD
Hydrofluoric Acid70 %AD
Hydrogen Chloride GasanhydrousAD
Methyl Chloroacetatetechnical gradeAD
Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)AD
Phenol10 %AD
Phenol100 %AD
Potassium Hydroxide1 %AD
Potassium Hydroxide10 %AD

Rating scale

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

HDPE vs PPHDPE vs PETGLDPE vs PPLDPE vs PETGPVC Rigid vs PPPP vs PVC FlexiblePP vs PMPPP vs PolystyrenePP vs SANPP vs PolycarbonatePP vs Acetal (POM)PP vs Nylon (PA)PP vs PolysulfonePP vs PTFEPP vs FEPPP vs PVDFPP vs ECTFE/ETFEPP vs EPDMPP vs Viton (FPM)PP vs NBR

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PP or PETG more chemical-resistant?

Of 618 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PP and PETG share the same rating in 311 rows (50 %). PP is rated better in 225 rows and PETG in 82 rows.

How do PP and PETG compare for chemical resistance?

Based on 618 chemicals tested for both: PP is rated better with Alkalis, Mineral acids, Ketones and aldehydes, Oxidising agents and halogens. PETG is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils. They perform similarly with Salts and salt solutions, Alcohols and glycols, Esters and ethers, Amines and nitrogen compounds.

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.