Summary
- PVC Rigid is rated better with
- Alkalis (+82 points); Mineral acids (+50 points); Organic acids (+33 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+29 points); Phenols (+24 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+19 points)
- Polycarbonate is rated better with
- Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+14 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Salts and salt solutions; Alcohols and glycols; Ketones and aldehydes; Esters and ethers; Amines and nitrogen compounds; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Halogenated hydrocarbons; 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 %
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is attacked by alkalis, amines, ketones, esters and many organic solvents, and it stress-cracks under load in contact with them.
Rated rows: 953. A 28 %, B 25 %, C 24 %, D 23 %
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 | Polycarbonate: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 82 % (56 rows) | 32 % (59 rows) |
| Organic acids | 87 % (45 rows) | 54 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (16 rows) | 18 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (111 rows) | 91 % (197 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 85 % (39 rows) | 66 % (61 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 79 % (43 rows) | 72 % (57 rows) |
| Phenols | 38 % (8 rows) | 14 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 11 % (18 rows) | 14 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 5 % (39 rows) | 1 % (69 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 23 % (22 rows) | 13 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (9 rows) | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 84 % (38 rows) | 55 % (75 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 59 % (17 rows) | 73 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 8 % (36 rows) | 0 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (23 rows) | 91 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 111 in total, the first 40 shown.
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 Polycarbonate more chemical-resistant?
Of 560 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Rigid and Polycarbonate share the same rating in 289 rows (52 %). PVC Rigid is rated better in 205 rows and Polycarbonate in 66 rows.
How do PVC Rigid and Polycarbonate compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 560 chemicals tested for both: PVC Rigid is rated better with Alkalis, Mineral acids, Organic acids, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Polycarbonate is rated better with Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils. They perform similarly with Salts and salt solutions, Alcohols and glycols, Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers.
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.