Summary
- SS 316 is rated better with
- Ketones and aldehydes (+100 points); Esters and ethers (+96 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+95 points); Alcohols and glycols (+92 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+88 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+83 points); Organic acids (+38 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+32 points); Mineral acids (+24 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; 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 %
SS 316
Stainless steel 1.4401 (AISI 316)
Stainless steel 316 (1.4401) contains molybdenum, which improves resistance to chlorides over 304. Hydrochloric acid and other halide acids still cause pitting.
Rated rows: 868. A 89 %, B 4 %, C 2 %, D 4 %
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 | SS 316: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 41 % (27 rows) | 65 % (60 rows) |
| Organic acids | 60 % (25 rows) | 98 % (55 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (11 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 96 % (81 rows) | 93 % (175 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 47 % (17 rows) | 79 % (57 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 8 % (26 rows) | 100 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 100 % (11 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 0 % (9 rows) | 100 % (33 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 4 % (25 rows) | 100 % (69 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 0 % (12 rows) | 95 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | – | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 17 % (23 rows) | 100 % (76 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | – | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (31 rows) | 88 % (24 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 93 % (14 rows) | 100 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 155 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Flexible | SS 316 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Ethylhexanol | D | A | |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | D | A |
| Acetic Anhydride | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Acetylene | 100 % | D | A |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Alcohol | 96 % | D | A |
| Allyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | D | A |
| Butanetriol | 100 % | D | A |
| Butanol | technical grade | D | A |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Glycol | 100 % | D | A |
| Butylphenol | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyric Acid | D | A | |
| Calcium Chloride | alcoholic solution | D | A |
| Camphor | D | A | |
| Camphor Oil | D | A | |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chloric Acid | 1 % | A | D |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride) | D | A | |
| Chloroform | 100 % | D | A |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | D | A |
| Copper(II) Chloride | saturated | A | D |
| Creosote | D | A | |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Cyclohexanol | technical grade | D | A |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | D | A |
| Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) | 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 SS 316 more chemical-resistant?
Of 318 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Flexible and SS 316 share the same rating in 138 rows (43 %). PVC Flexible is rated better in 24 rows and SS 316 in 156 rows.
How do PVC Flexible and SS 316 compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 318 chemicals tested for both: PVC Flexible is rated better with –. SS 316 is rated better with Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Alcohols and glycols. They perform similarly with Alkalis, 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.