Summary
- PVC Rigid is rated better with
- Oxidising agents and halogens (+19 points); Mineral acids (+19 points)
- SS 304 is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+100 points); Esters and ethers (+95 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+89 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+80 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+72 points); Phenols (+62 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+41 points); Alcohols and glycols (+21 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+16 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Organic acids; Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; 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 %
SS 304
Stainless steel 1.4301 (AISI 304)
Stainless steel 304 (1.4301) resists oxidising acids and most organic chemicals. Chlorides cause pitting and stress-corrosion cracking.
Rated rows: 865. A 88 %, B 5 %, C 2 %, D 5 %
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 | SS 304: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 82 % (56 rows) | 63 % (60 rows) |
| Organic acids | 87 % (45 rows) | 96 % (53 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (16 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (111 rows) | 93 % (175 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 85 % (39 rows) | 66 % (56 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 79 % (43 rows) | 100 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 38 % (8 rows) | 100 % (11 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 11 % (18 rows) | 100 % (33 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 5 % (39 rows) | 100 % (69 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 23 % (22 rows) | 95 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (9 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 84 % (38 rows) | 100 % (76 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 59 % (17 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 8 % (36 rows) | 88 % (24 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (23 rows) | 100 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 174 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Rigid | SS 304 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | D | A |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetamide | saturated | D | A |
| Acetic Anhydride | technical grade | 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 |
| Ammonium Persulfate | saturated | A | D |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Aniline Hydrochloride | saturated | A | D |
| Antimony Trichloride | 90 % | A | D |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Benzyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Bromobenzene | D | A | |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | 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 | 1 % | A | D |
| Chloric Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Chloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Chlorine | 10 % wet | A | D |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride) | D | A | |
| Chloroethanol | technical grade | 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 SS 304 more chemical-resistant?
Of 516 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Rigid and SS 304 share the same rating in 280 rows (54 %). PVC Rigid is rated better in 64 rows and SS 304 in 172 rows.
How do PVC Rigid and SS 304 compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 516 chemicals tested for both: PVC Rigid is rated better with Oxidising agents and halogens, Mineral acids. SS 304 is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers, Ketones and aldehydes, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Organic acids, Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, 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.