Summary
- SAN is rated better with
- Alkalis (+55 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+44 points); Mineral acids (+41 points)
- PETG is rated better with
- Esters and ethers (+57 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+32 points); Alcohols and glycols (+30 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+27 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+22 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+19 points); Foods and beverages (+18 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Organic acids; Salts and salt solutions; Ketones and aldehydes
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
SAN
Styrene-acrylonitrile
Styrene-acrylonitrile resists oils and dilute acids better than polystyrene, but ketones, esters and aromatic and chlorinated solvents still attack it.
Rated rows: 364. A 67 %, B 0 %, C 9 %, D 24 %
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 | SAN: rated A or B | PETG: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 61 % (18 rows) | 20 % (41 rows) |
| Organic acids | 79 % (24 rows) | 70 % (33 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (8 rows) | 45 % (20 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (80 rows) | 100 % (159 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 73 % (26 rows) | 29 % (38 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 70 % (33 rows) | 100 % (40 rows) |
| Phenols | 25 % (8 rows) | – |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 21 % (19 rows) | 21 % (24 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 0 % (19 rows) | 57 % (28 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 56 % (9 rows) | 78 % (9 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 79 % (24 rows) | 98 % (65 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 68 % (22 rows) | 100 % (34 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 5 % (20 rows) | 32 % (25 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 82 % (22 rows) | 100 % (43 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 38 in total.
| Chemical | Concentration | SAN | PETG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allyl Alcohol | 96 % | D | A |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Benzaldehyde | A | D | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | A | D | |
| Bromochloromethane | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Cloves | ground | D | A |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | D | A | |
| Dioxane | D | A | |
| Furfural | D | A | |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 35 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | concentrated | A | D |
| Nitrobenzene | D | A | |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 10 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 50 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | concentrated | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 45 % | A | D |
| Sulfuric Acid | 40 % | A | D |
| Tetrahydrofuran (THF) | D | A | |
| Toluene | D | A | |
| Tricresyl Phosphate (TCP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetylene | 100 % | C | A |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | A | C | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | saturated | A | C |
| Furfuryl Alcohol | technical grade | C | A |
| Lemon Peel Oil | C | A | |
| Methanol | C | A | |
| Petroleum | technical grade | C | A |
| Petroleum Ether | technical grade | C | A |
| Potassium Dichromate | saturated | A | C |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) | 12,5 % Cl | A | C |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) | 15 % | A | C |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) | saturated | A | C |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) | dilute | A | C |
| Turpentine Oil | C | 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 SAN or PETG more chemical-resistant?
Of 265 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, SAN and PETG share the same rating in 165 rows (62 %). SAN is rated better in 72 rows and PETG in 28 rows.
How do SAN and PETG compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 265 chemicals tested for both: SAN is rated better with Alkalis, Oxidising agents and halogens, Mineral acids. PETG is rated better with Esters and ethers, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Alcohols and glycols, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Organic acids, Salts and salt solutions, 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.