Summary
- Polysulfone is rated better with
- Alcohols and glycols (+66 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+58 points); Esters and ethers (+22 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+20 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+14 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+14 points); Mineral acids (+12 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Organic acids; Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Amines and nitrogen compounds; 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 %
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 | PVC Flexible: rated A or B | Polysulfone: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 41 % (27 rows) | 53 % (34 rows) |
| Organic acids | 60 % (25 rows) | 69 % (26 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (11 rows) | 100 % (15 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 96 % (81 rows) | 100 % (49 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 47 % (17 rows) | 67 % (15 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 8 % (26 rows) | 74 % (31 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 0 % (9 rows) | 14 % (14 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 4 % (25 rows) | 26 % (23 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 0 % (12 rows) | 0 % (8 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | – | 12 % (8 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 17 % (23 rows) | 75 % (24 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (31 rows) | 14 % (22 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 93 % (14 rows) | 100 % (9 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 50 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Flexible | Polysulfone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Creosote | D | A | |
| Cyclohexane | A | D | |
| Cyclohexanol | technical grade | D | A |
| Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) | D | A | |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) | D | A | |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) | technical grade | D | A |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Ethyl Glycol | 100 % | 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 | |
| Naphthalene | 100 % | D | A |
| Trifluorotrichloroethane | 100 % | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 5 % | C | A |
| Allyl Alcohol | 96 % | D | B |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | C | A |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | A | C |
| Butane | technical grade | C | A |
| Butanol | technical grade | D | B |
| Butyric Acid | D | B | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | saturated | C | A |
| Cetyl Alcohol | 100 % | C | A |
| Crude Oil | 100 % | C | A |
| Dioxane | D | B | |
| Ethanol | 50 % | C | A |
| Ethanol | 96 % | C | A |
| Ethyl Alcohol | 50 % | C | A |
| Ethyl Alcohol | 96 % | C | A |
| Ethylene Glycol | C | A | |
| Fats, Cooking Oils | C | A | |
| Formic Acid | 98-100 % | A | C |
| Heating Oil | C | A | |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 35 % | C | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid | concentrated | C | A |
| Hydrogen Sulfide | saturated | C | A |
| Mercury | pure | 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 PVC Flexible or Polysulfone more chemical-resistant?
Of 199 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Flexible and Polysulfone share the same rating in 128 rows (64 %). PVC Flexible is rated better in 16 rows and Polysulfone in 55 rows.
How do PVC Flexible and Polysulfone compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 199 chemicals tested for both: PVC Flexible is rated better with –. Polysulfone is rated better with Alcohols and glycols, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers, Oxidising agents and halogens. They perform similarly with Organic acids, Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, 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.