Summary
- PVC Rigid is rated better with
- Mineral acids (+62 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+56 points); Alkalis (+55 points); Organic acids (+17 points)
- PETG is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+55 points); Esters and ethers (+52 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+41 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+24 points); Alcohols and glycols (+21 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+14 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Salts and salt solutions; Ketones and aldehydes; 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 %
PETG
Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (co-polyester)
PETG is a co-polyester for clear containers. Strong acids and alkalis and most organic solvents attack it.
Rated rows: 619. A 55 %, B 23 %, C 4 %, D 18 %
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 | PETG: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 82 % (56 rows) | 20 % (41 rows) |
| Organic acids | 87 % (45 rows) | 70 % (33 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (16 rows) | 45 % (20 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (111 rows) | 100 % (159 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 85 % (39 rows) | 29 % (38 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 79 % (43 rows) | 100 % (40 rows) |
| Phenols | 38 % (8 rows) | – |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 11 % (18 rows) | 21 % (24 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 5 % (39 rows) | 57 % (28 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 23 % (22 rows) | 78 % (9 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (9 rows) | – |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 84 % (38 rows) | 98 % (65 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 59 % (17 rows) | 100 % (34 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 8 % (36 rows) | 32 % (25 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (23 rows) | 100 % (43 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 85 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Rigid | PETG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | A | D |
| Bromochloromethane | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Glycol | 100 % | D | A |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Chlorine | 10 % wet | A | D |
| Chloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Dibutyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) | D | A | |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | technical grade | A | D |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Fluorine | A | D | |
| Fluorosilicic Acid | 32 % | A | D |
| Furfuryl Alcohol | technical grade | D | A |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 40 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 70 % | A | D |
| Hydrogen Chloride Gas | anhydrous | A | D |
| Isopropyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Methanesulfonic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Nitrobenzene | D | A | |
| Nitrotoluene | technical grade | D | A |
| Phenol | 10 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 1 % | 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 |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 50 % | A | D |
| Sodium Peroxide | 10 % | A | D |
| Sodium Peroxide | 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 PETG more chemical-resistant?
Of 390 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Rigid and PETG share the same rating in 206 rows (53 %). PVC Rigid is rated better in 120 rows and PETG in 64 rows.
How do PVC Rigid and PETG compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 390 chemicals tested for both: PVC Rigid is rated better with Mineral acids, Oxidising agents and halogens, Alkalis, Organic acids. PETG is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds, Esters and ethers, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Salts and salt solutions, Ketones and aldehydes, 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.