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ECTFE/ETFE and Aqua Regia: Chemical Resistance

Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene / ethylene tetrafluoroethylene

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
concentration not statedAA

Material comparison at 20 °C

Aqua Regia: Material comparison at 20 °CECTFE/ETFE: A (highlighted); PTFE: A; FEP: B; PMP: C; PVDF: C; SAN: C.ECTFE/ETFE: AECTFEPTFE: AFEP: BPMP: CPVDF: CSAN: CAluminium: DEPDM: DViton (FPM): DHDPE: DLDPE: DNBR: DNylon (PA): DPolycarbonate: DPETG: DAcetal (POM): DPP: DPolystyrene: DPolysulfone: DPVC Rigid: DPVC Flexible: DSS 304: DSS 316: DSilicone: –
A very good resistanceB good resistanceC limited resistanceD not resistantno data
Each bar is one material. Taller bars indicate better resistance. The highlighted bar is the current material.

Resistance overview

ECTFE/ETFE shows very good resistance (A) to Aqua Regia at 20 °C, meaning the material remains essentially unaffected by this chemical under standard laboratory test conditions. The rating remains stable between 20 °C and 50 °C, which means this material can also handle moderately elevated process temperatures without additional risk.

Application context

Aqua Regia is commonly encountered in metal finishing and laboratory work. ECTFE/ETFE (Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene / ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) is a fluoropolymer typically used for seals, gaskets, valve seats and lined equipment. Because Aqua Regia is classified as corrosive, the choice of containment material is especially critical to prevent leaks, equipment damage, and safety hazards.

Practical recommendation

ECTFE/ETFE can be used with confidence for Aqua Regia containment and handling. The A rating indicates that the material shows no significant change in weight, dimensions, or mechanical properties after prolonged contact under test conditions. This holds true at both 20 °C and 50 °C, giving a good safety margin for typical process environments.

Did you know?

Temperature is often the deciding factor when selecting materials for Aqua Regia: even materials rated A at 20 °C may lose performance at elevated temperatures.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, FEP B

About ECTFE/ETFE

ECTFE and ETFE are tough fluoropolymers with broad resistance. Hot amines and some chlorinated solvents at elevated temperature are their main limits.

Rating scale

A rating marked * is an estimate in the source, not a test result. An estimate is given as one value without a temperature.

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.