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Dimethylformamide (DMF) Chemical Resistance

Resistance ratings for 24 plastics, elastomers and metals at 20 °C and 50 °C.

At a glance

Ratings at 20 °C.

Rated A, very good resistance
PTFE, HDPE, PP, SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium, LDPE, FEP, Nylon (PA), Acetal (POM), PETG, PMP (12)
Rated B, good resistance
EPDM, ECTFE/ETFE (2)
Rated C, limited resistance
PVC Rigid (1)
Rated D, not resistant
PVDF, Viton (FPM), NBR, Polycarbonate, Polystyrene, Polysulfone, SAN (7)
No data in the source
Silicone, PVC Flexible
Rated lower at 50 °C than at 20 °C
PVC Rigid (C → D), LDPE (A → C), Acetal (POM) (A → B)

Rating profile by material family

Dimethylformamide (DMF): Rating profile by material familyThermoplastics: 7 A, 1 C, 4 D, 1 no data. Fluoropolymers: 2 A, 1 B, 1 D. Elastomers: 1 B, 2 D, 1 no data. Metals: 3 A.Thermoplastics (13)Thermoplastics: 7 × A, very good resistance (HDPE, LDPE, PP, PMP, PETG, Acetal (POM), Nylon (PA))A 7Thermoplastics: 1 × C, limited resistance (PVC Rigid)Thermoplastics: 4 × D, not resistant (Polystyrene, SAN, Polycarbonate, Polysulfone)D 4Thermoplastics: 1 × no data (PVC Flexible)Fluoropolymers (4)Fluoropolymers: 2 × A, very good resistance (PTFE, FEP)A 2Fluoropolymers: 1 × B, good resistance (ECTFE/ETFE)B 1Fluoropolymers: 1 × D, not resistant (PVDF)D 1Elastomers (4)Elastomers: 1 × B, good resistance (EPDM)B 1Elastomers: 2 × D, not resistant (Viton (FPM), NBR)D 2Elastomers: 1 × no data (Silicone)– 1Metals (3)Metals: 3 × A, very good resistance (SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium)A 3
A very good resistanceB good resistanceC limited resistanceD not resistantno data
Number of materials in each family with each rating at 20 °C.

Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °C

Dimethylformamide (DMF): Effect of temperature, 20 °C to 50 °CLDPE A → C; PVC Rigid C → D; Acetal (POM) A → B.ABCDLDPE: A at 20 °C, C at 50 °CLDPEPVC Rigid: C at 20 °C, D at 50 °CPVC RigidAcetal (POM): A at 20 °C, B at 50 °CAcetal (POM)
20 °C50 °C
Materials whose rating differs between 20 °C and 50 °C. Materials not shown keep their rating or have no 50 °C value.

Substance

CAS number
68-12-2
Formula
C3D7NO
Hazard symbols in the source
T (toxic) (pre-GHS European symbols; check the current safety data sheet)
Name in the source (German)
Dimethylformamid (DMF)

Resistance table

Material20 °C50 °CRemark
Thermoplastics
HDPEAA
LDPEAC
PPAA
PVC RigidCD
PMPAA
PolystyreneDD
SANDD
PolycarbonateDD
PETGA–
Acetal (POM)ABdisputed, see below
Nylon (PA)A–
PolysulfoneDD
Fluoropolymers
PTFEAA
FEPAA
PVDFDD
ECTFE/ETFEBB
Elastomers
EPDMB–
Viton (FPM)DD
NBRDD
Metals
SS 316A*–
SS 304A*–
AluminiumA*–

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Not rated in the source, so not in the table: PVC Flexible, Silicone

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.

Corrected and disputed values

Source values use the scale 1 (very good) to 4 (not resistant); 1 = A, 4 = D.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which materials resist Dimethylformamide (DMF) at high concentrations?

The materials with an A rating (resistant) for Dimethylformamide (DMF) at 20 °C are: PTFE, HDPE, PP, SS 316, SS 304, Aluminium, LDPE, FEP. These can generally be used in direct contact.

Which materials should be avoided with Dimethylformamide (DMF)?

Materials rated D (not resistant) for Dimethylformamide (DMF) are: PVDF, Viton (FPM), NBR, Polycarbonate, Polystyrene, Polysulfone, SAN. These should not be used in contact with Dimethylformamide (DMF).

Does temperature affect chemical resistance to Dimethylformamide (DMF)?

Yes. 3 of 16 tested materials show a worse rating at 50 °C than at 20 °C for Dimethylformamide (DMF). Materials affected include: PVC Rigid, LDPE, Acetal (POM).

Is PTFE safe for Dimethylformamide (DMF)?

PTFE is rated A for Dimethylformamide (DMF) at 20 °C. A rating of A means resistant, B means limited resistance, C means partly resistant, and D means not resistant.

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.

Chemicals with a similar resistance profile

Same 20 °C rating on the share of materials shown.