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PVDF and Epichlorohydrin: Chemical Resistance

Polyvinylidene fluoride

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
100 %C*–

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Material comparison at 20 °C

Epichlorohydrin: Material comparison at 20 °CPVDF: C (highlighted); FEP: A; HDPE: A; LDPE: A; Acetal (POM): A; PTFE: A.FEP: AHDPE: ALDPE: AAcetal (POM): APTFE: APP: BAluminium: CEPDM: CPVDF: CPVDFViton (FPM): DNBR: DNylon (PA): DPolycarbonate: DPMP: DPVC Rigid: DPVC Flexible: DECTFE/ETFE: –PETG: –Polystyrene: –Polysulfone: –SAN: –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

PVDF has limited resistance (C) to Epichlorohydrin at 100 % at 20 °C. This indicates that the chemical has a noticeable effect on the material, which may include visible swelling, softening, or a measurable loss of tensile strength. Use is generally limited to short-term or intermittent contact where full structural integrity is not required. 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

Epichlorohydrin is commonly encountered in chemical processing and waste treatment. PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride) is a fluoropolymer typically used for seals, gaskets, valve seats and lined equipment. Since Epichlorohydrin is flammable, material selection must also consider the risk of static charge buildup and the need for proper grounding in storage and transfer systems.

Practical recommendation

PVDF has limited resistance to Epichlorohydrin and should only be used for short-term or intermittent contact at ambient temperature. The C rating means the material undergoes noticeable changes — swelling, loss of strength, or surface degradation — that make it unsuitable for permanent installations. For prolonged or continuous exposure, HDPE, LDPE, Acetal (POM) offer significantly better resistance and are rated A.

Did you know?

The chemical resistance of PVDF depends not only on the chemical concentration but also on exposure time, mechanical stress, and the presence of other chemicals in the mixture.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for 100 %, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
HDPE A, PP B, LDPE A, Acetal (POM) A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, FEP A

About PVDF

PVDF resists acids, halogens and hydrocarbons. Strong bases, amines, ketones and esters attack it. Service temperature is up to about 150 °C.

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.