Summary
- PVC Flexible is rated better with
- Alkalis (+82 points)
- Polycarbonate is rated better with
- Alcohols and glycols (+64 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+38 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+19 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+14 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+13 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Mineral acids; Organic acids; Salts and salt solutions; Esters and ethers; Halogenated hydrocarbons; 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 %
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is attacked by alkalis, amines, ketones, esters and many organic solvents, and it stress-cracks under load in contact with them.
Rated rows: 953. A 28 %, B 25 %, C 24 %, D 23 %
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 | Polycarbonate: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 41 % (27 rows) | 32 % (59 rows) |
| Organic acids | 60 % (25 rows) | 54 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (11 rows) | 18 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 96 % (81 rows) | 91 % (197 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 47 % (17 rows) | 66 % (61 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 8 % (26 rows) | 72 % (57 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 14 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 0 % (9 rows) | 14 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 4 % (25 rows) | 1 % (69 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 0 % (12 rows) | 13 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | – | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 17 % (23 rows) | 55 % (75 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | – | 73 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (31 rows) | 0 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 93 % (14 rows) | 91 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 69 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Flexible | Polycarbonate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetylene | 100 % | D | A |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | A | D | |
| Ammonium Sulfide | any concentration | A | D |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | A | D |
| Calcium Hydroxide | concentrated | A | D |
| Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) | technical grade | A | D |
| Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) | aqueous | A | D |
| Isopropanol | technical grade | D | A |
| n-Heptane | D | A | |
| Potassium Cyanide | aqueous | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 30 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 50 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | concentrated | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 30 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 45 % | A | D |
| Sulfuryl Chloride | technical grade | D | A |
| 1-Ethylhexanol | D | B | |
| Acetic Acid | 5 % | C | A |
| Ammonium Carbonate | 50 % | A | C |
| Amyl Alcohol (1-Pentanol) | C | A | |
| Arsenic Acid | C | A | |
| Arsenic Acid | aqueous | C | A |
| Barium Hydroxide | saturated | A | C |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | C | A |
| Butane | technical grade | C | A |
| Butanetriol | 100 % | D | B |
| Butanol | technical grade | D | B |
| Butyl Glycol | 100 % | D | B |
| Butyl Stearate | 100 % | A | C |
| Calcium Chloride | alcoholic solution | D | B |
| Castor Oil | 100 % | C | A |
| Chloric Acid | 1 % | A | C |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | A | C |
| Chromic Acid | 50 % | A | C |
| Cyclohexane | A | C | |
| Ethanol | 50 % | C | A |
| Ethanol | 96 % | C | A |
| Ethyl Alcohol | 50 % | C | A |
| Ethyl Alcohol | 96 % | C | A |
| Ethyl Glycol | 100 % | D | B |
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 Polycarbonate more chemical-resistant?
Of 344 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Flexible and Polycarbonate share the same rating in 190 rows (55 %). PVC Flexible is rated better in 71 rows and Polycarbonate in 83 rows.
How do PVC Flexible and Polycarbonate compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 344 chemicals tested for both: PVC Flexible is rated better with Alkalis. Polycarbonate is rated better with Alcohols and glycols, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Oxidising agents and halogens, Ketones and aldehydes. They perform similarly with Mineral acids, Organic acids, Salts and salt solutions, Esters and ethers.
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.