Typical Polystyrene Chemical Resistance

Side by Side Material Comparison Chemical Resistance Chart (Note: Large File)

A=Good, B=Fair, C=Poor
Resin in contact for 24h
No load applied (PS)
°C
Conc. 23 50 75
INORGANIC ACIDS Hydrocloric Acid 10% B B  
  35% B B  
Nitric Acid 10% B B  
  35% B B  
Sulfuric Acid 10% A A  
  35% A A  
Hydrofluoric Acid 10% B B  
  50% C C C
Chromic Acid 10% A B  
  50% B B  
Aqua Regia 10% B C C
  50%      
ORGANIC ACIDS Acetic Acid 10% B B C
  50% C C C
Citric Acid 10% A B  
  50%      
Formic Acid 10% A A  
  50% A A  
Tartaric Acid 10% A B  
  50%      
Acrylic Acid 10%      
  50%      
ALKALIES Ammonia 10% A A  
  50%      
Sodium Hydroxide 10% A B  
  50% A    
Potassium Hydroxide 10% A A  
  50% A A  
Ammonium Hydroxide 10% A B  
  50%      
ALCOHOLS Butyl Alcohol (Butanol) - A B  
Methyl Alcohol (Methanol) - B B C
Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol) 85% B B  
Cyclohexanol -      
Ethylene Glycol - A A A
Isopropyl Alcohol (Isopropanol)   A B  
Glycolic Alcohol (Glycerol) -      
KETONES Acetone   C C C
Cyclohexanone   C C C
Formaldehyde 37% C C C
Methyl Ethyl Ketone   C C C
ESTERS Ethyl Acetate   C C C
Aliphatic esters        
ETHERS Dioxane   C C C
Ethylene Oxide   C C C
HALOGENATED ORGANIC COMPOSITES Chloroform   C C C
Methylene Chloride   C C C
Perchloroethylene   C C C
Carbon Tetrachloride (wet)   C C C
Trichloroethylene   C C C
HYDROCARBONS Benzene   C C C
Gasoline (pure)   C C C
Cyclohexane   C C C
Heptane   C C C
Brake Fluids   C C C
Skydrol        
Diesel Fuel   B B  
Kerosene   B C C
Methane (gas)        
Mineral Oil   A A  
Toluene   C C C
Xylene   C C C
INORGANIC CHEMICALS Nitrogen        
Sodium Bicarbonate   A A  
Bromine 10% C C C
Chlorine (wet)   C C C
Sodium Chloride 10% A B  
Fluorine        
Iodine (solution)   B B  
Sodium Hypoclorite   A B  
Oxygen (low pressure)        
Ozone <5 ppm A    
Sodium (hot)   A    
Copper Sulfate 10% A B  
Sulfur   A A  
MISCELLANEOUS Sea Water   A A  
Hydrogen Dioxide (Peroxide) 30% A B  
Distilled Water   A A  
Aniline   C C C
Phenol (conc.)   B