Summary
- PVC Rigid is rated better with
- Alkalis (+76 points); Mineral acids (+66 points); Salts and salt solutions (+48 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+40 points); Organic acids (+20 points)
- Aluminium is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+100 points); Esters and ethers (+89 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+86 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+72 points); Phenols (+48 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+41 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+19 points); Alcohols and glycols (+19 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+16 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
PVC Rigid
Rigid (unplasticised) polyvinyl chloride
Rigid PVC resists acids, alkalis and salt solutions well. Ketones, esters, aromatic and chlorinated solvents dissolve or swell it. Service temperature is limited to about 60 °C.
Rated rows: 569. A 62 %, B 8 %, C 9 %, D 21 %
Aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium relies on a thin oxide layer. Strong acids, strong alkalis and mercury compounds destroy that layer.
Rated rows: 968. A 60 %, B 9 %, C 16 %, D 16 %
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 Rigid: rated A or B | Aluminium: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 82 % (56 rows) | 16 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 87 % (45 rows) | 67 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (16 rows) | 24 % (21 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (111 rows) | 52 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 85 % (39 rows) | 45 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 79 % (43 rows) | 98 % (59 rows) |
| Phenols | 38 % (8 rows) | 86 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 11 % (18 rows) | 97 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 5 % (39 rows) | 94 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 23 % (22 rows) | 95 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (9 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 84 % (38 rows) | 100 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 59 % (17 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 8 % (36 rows) | 27 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (23 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 263 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Rigid | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | D | A |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetamide | saturated | D | A |
| Acetone | D | A | |
| Acetonitrile | D | A | |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Allyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Aluminum Chloride | 10 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Chloride | saturated | A | D |
| Aluminum Nitrate | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate | any concentration | A | D |
| Ammonium Fluoride | saturated | A | D |
| Ammonium Persulfate | saturated | A | D |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Aniline Hydrochloride | saturated | A | D |
| Antimony Trichloride | 90 % | A | D |
| Arsenic Acid | A | D | |
| Arsenic Acid | aqueous | A | D |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Benzyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Bromobenzene | D | A | |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Glycol | 100 % | D | A |
| Camphor | D | A | |
| Camphor Oil | D | A | |
| Carbazole | D | A | |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chloric Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Chloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Chlorine | 10 % wet | A | D |
| Chloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Chlorobenzene | 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 Rigid or Aluminium more chemical-resistant?
Of 563 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Rigid and Aluminium share the same rating in 201 rows (36 %). PVC Rigid is rated better in 183 rows and Aluminium in 179 rows.
How do PVC Rigid and Aluminium compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 563 chemicals tested for both: PVC Rigid is rated better with Alkalis, Mineral acids, Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens. Aluminium is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers, Ketones and aldehydes, Amines and nitrogen compounds. They perform similarly with 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.