Summary
- PVC Rigid is rated better with
- Mineral acids (+29 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+23 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+18 points); Organic acids (+18 points)
- Polysulfone is rated better with
- Esters and ethers (+21 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+12 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Alcohols and glycols; Ketones and aldehydes; Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic 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 %
Polysulfone
Polysulfone
Polysulfone withstands hot water and steam. Ketones, esters and chlorinated and aromatic solvents attack it.
Rated rows: 303. A 51 %, B 10 %, C 10 %, D 30 %
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 | Polysulfone: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 82 % (56 rows) | 53 % (34 rows) |
| Organic acids | 87 % (45 rows) | 69 % (26 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (16 rows) | 100 % (15 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (111 rows) | 100 % (49 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 85 % (39 rows) | 67 % (15 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 79 % (43 rows) | 74 % (31 rows) |
| Phenols | 38 % (8 rows) | – |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 11 % (18 rows) | 14 % (14 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 5 % (39 rows) | 26 % (23 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 23 % (22 rows) | 0 % (8 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (9 rows) | 12 % (8 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 84 % (38 rows) | 75 % (24 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 59 % (17 rows) | – |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 8 % (36 rows) | 14 % (22 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (23 rows) | 100 % (9 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 31 in total.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Rigid | Polysulfone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | 10 % wet | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Decahydronaphthalene | A | D | |
| Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) | D | A | |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Ethyl Glycol | 100 % | D | A |
| Fluorine | A | D | |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 70 % | A | D |
| Isopropyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Naphthalene | 100 % | D | A |
| Phenol | 10 % | A | D |
| Propionic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | C |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | A | C |
| Benzyl Alcohol | B | D | |
| Bromine | B | D | |
| Chlorodifluoromethane | B | D | |
| Creosote | C | A | |
| Cyclohexane | B | D | |
| Ethylene Oxide | C | A | |
| Hexanol | A | C | |
| Methanol | A | C | |
| Propane | gaseous | A | C |
| Resorcinol | 5 % | B | D |
| Sulfuric Acid | 40 % | A | C |
| Sulfuric Acid | 80 % | A | C |
| Sulfuric Acid | 95 % | B | D |
| Trifluorotrichloroethane | 100 % | C | A |
| Turpentine Oil | B | D | |
| Undecyl Alcohol | A | C |
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 Polysulfone more chemical-resistant?
Of 299 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Rigid and Polysulfone share the same rating in 213 rows (71 %). PVC Rigid is rated better in 49 rows and Polysulfone in 37 rows.
How do PVC Rigid and Polysulfone compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 299 chemicals tested for both: PVC Rigid is rated better with Mineral acids, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Oxidising agents and halogens, Organic acids. Polysulfone is rated better with Esters and ethers, Aromatic hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, Alcohols and glycols, Ketones and aldehydes.
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.