Summary
- PP is rated better with
- Esters and ethers (+63 points); Phenols (+54 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+48 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+23 points); Alcohols and glycols (+23 points); Organic acids (+18 points); Foods and beverages (+18 points)
- SAN is rated better with
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+16 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Mineral acids; Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils; Halogenated hydrocarbons
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 %
SAN
Styrene-acrylonitrile
Styrene-acrylonitrile resists oils and dilute acids better than polystyrene, but ketones, esters and aromatic and chlorinated solvents still attack it.
Rated rows: 364. A 67 %, B 0 %, C 9 %, D 24 %
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 | SAN: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 70 % (63 rows) | 61 % (18 rows) |
| Organic acids | 97 % (64 rows) | 79 % (24 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 100 % (8 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 99 % (198 rows) | 100 % (80 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 72 % (61 rows) | 73 % (26 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 93 % (59 rows) | 70 % (33 rows) |
| Phenols | 79 % (14 rows) | 25 % (8 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 69 % (35 rows) | 21 % (19 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 63 % (71 rows) | 0 % (19 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 79 % (39 rows) | 56 % (9 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 14 % (14 rows) | – |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 63 % (78 rows) | 79 % (24 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 75 % (48 rows) | 68 % (22 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 4 % (70 rows) | 5 % (20 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (46 rows) | 82 % (22 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 60 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PP | SAN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Acetone | A | D | |
| Benzyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Brake Fluid | A | D | |
| Carbazole | A | D | |
| DDT (Emulsion) | A | D | |
| Dibutyl Sebacate | technical grade | A | D |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Ethyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Methyl Acetate | technical grade | A | D |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) | A | D | |
| Methyl Salicylate | A | D | |
| Phenol | 100 % | A | D |
| Phenylethanol | A | D | |
| Propylene Oxide | A | D | |
| Tricresyl Phosphate (TCP) | technical grade | A | D |
| 1-Pentanethiol | B | D | |
| 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural | B | D | |
| Acetylene | 100 % | A | C |
| Allyl Alcohol | 96 % | B | D |
| Allyl Mustard Oil | B | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | C | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | C |
| Cloves | ground | B | D |
| Cyclohexane | C | A | |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | B | D |
| Diacetone Alcohol | B | D | |
| Diethyl Ketone | B | D | |
| Dimethyl Phthalate (DMP) | 100 % | B | D |
| Ethyl Benzoate | B | D | |
| Ethyl Glycol | 100 % | B | D |
| Formic Acid | 98-100 % | A | C |
| Furfuryl Alcohol | technical grade | A | C |
| Hexachlorobenzene | C | A | |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 50 % | A | C |
| Iodine Tincture | A | C | |
| Isobutanol | A | C | |
| Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) | B | D | |
| Lanolin | technical grade | C | A |
| Ligroin | C | 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 SAN more chemical-resistant?
Of 363 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PP and SAN share the same rating in 233 rows (64 %). PP is rated better in 87 rows and SAN in 43 rows.
How do PP and SAN compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 363 chemicals tested for both: PP is rated better with Esters and ethers, Phenols, Ketones and aldehydes, Amines and nitrogen compounds. SAN is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic 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.