Summary
- PP is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+79 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+55 points); Esters and ethers (+37 points); Organic acids (+28 points); Alcohols and glycols (+19 points); Mineral acids (+17 points)
- Polysulfone is rated better with
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+12 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Halogenated hydrocarbons; 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 %
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 %
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 | Polysulfone: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 70 % (63 rows) | 53 % (34 rows) |
| Organic acids | 97 % (64 rows) | 69 % (26 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 100 % (15 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 99 % (198 rows) | 100 % (49 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 72 % (61 rows) | 67 % (15 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 93 % (59 rows) | 74 % (31 rows) |
| Phenols | 79 % (14 rows) | – |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 69 % (35 rows) | 14 % (14 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 63 % (71 rows) | 26 % (23 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 79 % (39 rows) | 0 % (8 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 14 % (14 rows) | 12 % (8 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 63 % (78 rows) | 75 % (24 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 75 % (48 rows) | – |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 4 % (70 rows) | 14 % (22 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (46 rows) | 100 % (9 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 67 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PP | Polysulfone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetamide | saturated | A | D |
| Acetic Anhydride | technical grade | A | D |
| Acetone | A | D | |
| Alanine | A | D | |
| Benzyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Carbazole | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) | D | A | |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) | technical grade | D | A |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) | A | D | |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Ethyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate | A | D | |
| Furfuryl Alcohol | technical grade | A | D |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 70 % | A | D |
| Methoxyethyl Oleate | A | D | |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) | A | D | |
| p-Chloroacetophenone | A | D | |
| Phenol | 10 % | A | D |
| Propionic Acid | A | D | |
| Propionic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Resorcinol | 5 % | A | D |
| Resorcinol | saturated | A | D |
| Trifluorotrichloroethane | 100 % | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | C |
| Amyl Alcohol (1-Pentanol) | A | C | |
| Aniline | B | D | |
| Benzaldehyde | A | C | |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | A | C |
| Bitter Almond Oil | A | C | |
| Butyric Acid | D | B | |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | C | A |
| Creosote | C | A | |
| Cresol | B | D | |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | B | D |
| Diethyl Ketone | B | D | |
| Diethyl Malonate | A | C | |
| Diethylene Glycol Ether | A | C |
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 Polysulfone more chemical-resistant?
Of 303 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PP and Polysulfone share the same rating in 170 rows (56 %). PP is rated better in 105 rows and Polysulfone in 28 rows.
How do PP and Polysulfone compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 303 chemicals tested for both: PP is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds, Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, Organic acids. Polysulfone is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens, Aromatic hydrocarbons.
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.