Summary
- PVC Rigid is rated better with
- Oxidising agents and halogens (+70 points); Mineral acids (+69 points); Organic acids (+50 points); Phenols (+38 points); Alkalis (+36 points); Alcohols and glycols (+34 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+25 points); Salts and salt solutions (+18 points)
- NBR is rated better with
- Halogenated hydrocarbons (+12 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Ketones and aldehydes; Esters and ethers; Amines and nitrogen compounds; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils; 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 %
NBR
Nitrile butadiene rubber
Nitrile rubber resists mineral oils and fuels. Ketones, esters, chlorinated solvents, strong oxidisers and ozone attack it.
Rated rows: 983. A 36 %, B 9 %, C 19 %, D 36 %
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 | NBR: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 82 % (56 rows) | 13 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 87 % (45 rows) | 37 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (16 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (111 rows) | 82 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 85 % (39 rows) | 15 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 79 % (43 rows) | 45 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 38 % (8 rows) | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 11 % (18 rows) | 9 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 5 % (39 rows) | 1 % (76 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 23 % (22 rows) | 13 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (9 rows) | 7 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 84 % (38 rows) | 59 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 59 % (17 rows) | 69 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 8 % (36 rows) | 20 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (23 rows) | 93 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 162 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Rigid | NBR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetamide | saturated | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Alanine | D | A | |
| Ammonium Carbonate | 50 % | A | D |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | A | D | |
| Ammonium Persulfate | saturated | A | D |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | A | D |
| Bisulfite Liquor with SO2 | saturated | A | D |
| Brake Fluid | A | D | |
| Butyl Stearate | 100 % | A | D |
| Calcium Nitrate | 50 % | A | D |
| Camphor | D | A | |
| Camphor Oil | D | A | |
| Chloric Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Chloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Chlorine | 10 % wet | A | D |
| Chloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Copper(II) Nitrate | saturated | A | D |
| Decahydronaphthalene | A | D | |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | technical grade | A | D |
| Diglycolic Acid | 30 % | A | D |
| Fluorine | A | D | |
| Hydrazine | 10 % | A | D |
| Hydrazine Hydrate | aqueous | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 40 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | dilute | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 70 % | A | D |
| Hydrogen Chloride Gas | anhydrous | A | D |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 30 % | A | D |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 90 % | A | D |
| Hydrogen Sulfide | saturated | A | D |
| Hydroquinone | saturated | A | D |
| Maleic Acid | saturated | A | D |
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 NBR more chemical-resistant?
Of 568 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Rigid and NBR share the same rating in 307 rows (54 %). PVC Rigid is rated better in 232 rows and NBR in 29 rows.
How do PVC Rigid and NBR compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 568 chemicals tested for both: PVC Rigid is rated better with Oxidising agents and halogens, Mineral acids, Organic acids, Phenols. NBR is rated better with Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Aromatic hydrocarbons.
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.