Summary
- PVC Rigid is rated better with
- Mineral acids (+17 points)
- SS 316 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); Organic acids (+11 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; 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 316
Stainless steel 1.4401 (AISI 316)
Stainless steel 316 (1.4401) contains molybdenum, which improves resistance to chlorides over 304. Hydrochloric acid and other halide acids still cause pitting.
Rated rows: 868. A 89 %, B 4 %, C 2 %, D 4 %
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 316: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 82 % (56 rows) | 65 % (60 rows) |
| Organic acids | 87 % (45 rows) | 98 % (55 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) | 79 % (57 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: 165 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Rigid | SS 316 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Chloroform | 100 % | D | A |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | D | A |
| Cinnamon Oil | 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 316 more chemical-resistant?
Of 518 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Rigid and SS 316 share the same rating in 291 rows (56 %). PVC Rigid is rated better in 54 rows and SS 316 in 173 rows.
How do PVC Rigid and SS 316 compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 518 chemicals tested for both: PVC Rigid is rated better with Mineral acids. SS 316 is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers, Ketones and aldehydes, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens, 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.