Summary
- PVC Flexible is rated better with
- Alkalis (+55 points); Mineral acids (+21 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+18 points)
- PETG is rated better with
- Alcohols and glycols (+92 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+81 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+78 points); Esters and ethers (+53 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+32 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+21 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Organic acids; Salts and salt solutions; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
PVC Flexible
Flexible (plasticised) polyvinyl chloride
Flexible PVC shares the solvent weaknesses of rigid PVC, and any liquid that extracts the plasticiser also hardens it. It is generally less resistant than rigid PVC.
Rated rows: 344. A 45 %, B 1 %, C 17 %, D 37 %
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 %
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 | PVC Flexible: rated A or B | PETG: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 41 % (27 rows) | 20 % (41 rows) |
| Organic acids | 60 % (25 rows) | 70 % (33 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (11 rows) | 45 % (20 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 96 % (81 rows) | 100 % (159 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 47 % (17 rows) | 29 % (38 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 8 % (26 rows) | 100 % (40 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 0 % (9 rows) | 21 % (24 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 4 % (25 rows) | 57 % (28 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 0 % (12 rows) | 78 % (9 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 17 % (23 rows) | 98 % (65 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | – | 100 % (34 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (31 rows) | 32 % (25 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 93 % (14 rows) | 100 % (43 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 87 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Flexible | PETG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Ethylhexanol | D | A | |
| Acetylene | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Alcohol | 96 % | D | A |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Bromochloromethane | 100 % | D | A |
| Butanol | technical grade | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Glycol | 100 % | D | A |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Chlorodifluoromethane | D | A | |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) | D | A | |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Dimethyl Ether | gas | D | A |
| Dioxane | D | A | |
| Furfuryl Alcohol | technical grade | D | A |
| Isooctane | technical grade | D | A |
| Isopropanol | technical grade | D | A |
| Isopropyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| n-Heptane | D | A | |
| n-Hexane | D | A | |
| Naphtha | D | A | |
| Nitrobenzene | D | A | |
| Nitrotoluene | technical grade | D | A |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 30 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 50 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | concentrated | A | D |
| Propene | D | A | |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 30 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 45 % | A | D |
| Styrene | 100 % | D | A |
| Sulfuric Acid | 40 % | A | D |
| Sulfuric Acid | 80 % | A | D |
| Tetrahydrofuran (THF) | D | A | |
| Tetrahydronaphthalene | technical grade | D | A |
| Toluene | D | A | |
| Tricresyl Phosphate (TCP) | technical grade | 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 PVC Flexible or PETG more chemical-resistant?
Of 254 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Flexible and PETG share the same rating in 117 rows (46 %). PVC Flexible is rated better in 57 rows and PETG in 80 rows.
How do PVC Flexible and PETG compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 254 chemicals tested for both: PVC Flexible is rated better with Alkalis, Mineral acids, Oxidising agents and halogens. PETG is rated better with Alcohols and glycols, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Esters and ethers. They perform similarly with Organic acids, Salts and salt solutions, 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.