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PVC Flexible and Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12): Chemical Resistance

Flexible (plasticised) polyvinyl chloride

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
technical gradeDD
concentration not statedDD

Material comparison at 20 °C

Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12): Material comparison at 20 °CPVC Flexible: D (highlighted); Nylon (PA): A; Acetal (POM): A; Polysulfone: A; PTFE: A; PVC Rigid: B.Nylon (PA): AAcetal (POM): APolysulfone: APTFE: APVC Rigid: BAluminium: CEPDM: CFEP: CViton (FPM): CLDPE: CNBR: CPVDF: CSAN: CHDPE: DPolycarbonate: DPP: DPolystyrene: DPVC Flexible: DPVC-PECTFE/ETFE: –PETG: –PMP: –Silicone: –SS 304: –SS 316: –
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

PVC Flexible maintains a consistent rating of D across all 2 tested concentrations (technical grade) of Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) at 20 °C. The fact that the rating does not change with concentration within the tested range simplifies material selection, though the boundary conditions beyond this range remain untested. 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

Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) is commonly encountered in waste treatment and water disinfection. PVC Flexible (Flexible (plasticised) polyvinyl chloride) is a thermoplastic typically used for tanks, piping, containers and liners. The compatibility between these two is therefore an important consideration for engineers and procurement teams selecting containment, transfer, or processing equipment.

Practical recommendation

PVC Flexible is not recommended for use with Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12). The D rating indicates that the material will suffer rapid and severe degradation, which may include cracking, dissolution, severe swelling, or complete structural failure. Using this combination risks equipment damage, leaks, and potential safety incidents. Consider using Nylon (PA), Acetal (POM), Polysulfone instead, which are rated A for this chemical and offer reliable long-term performance.

Did you know?

When choosing between thermoplastics for Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) service, engineers consider not just the resistance rating but also factors such as permeation rate, creep resistance, and weldability.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for technical grade, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
PVC Rigid B, Nylon (PA) A, Acetal (POM) A, Polysulfone A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A

About PVC Flexible

Flexible PVC shares the solvent weaknesses of rigid PVC, and any liquid that extracts the plasticiser also hardens it. It is generally less resistant than rigid PVC.

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.