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PMP and Fluorine: Chemical Resistance

Polymethylpentene (TPX)

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
concentration not statedCD

Material comparison at 20 °C

Fluorine: Material comparison at 20 °CPMP: C (highlighted); ECTFE/ETFE: A; FEP: A; PTFE: A; PVC Rigid: A; Viton (FPM): C.ECTFE/ETFE: AFEP: APTFE: APVC Rigid: AViton (FPM): CPMP: CPMPAluminium: DEPDM: DHDPE: DLDPE: DNBR: DNylon (PA): DPolycarbonate: DPETG: DAcetal (POM): DPP: DPolystyrene: DPolysulfone: DPVDF: DSAN: DSS 304: DSS 316: DPVC Flexible: –Silicone: –
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

PMP has limited resistance (C) to Fluorine 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. However, at 50 °C the resistance rating drops, indicating that temperature must be factored into the design. For heated applications, additional testing under actual service conditions is strongly recommended.

Application context

Fluorine is commonly encountered in laboratory work and surface cleaning. PMP (Polymethylpentene (TPX)) is a thermoplastic typically used for tanks, piping, containers and liners. Because Fluorine is classified as corrosive, the choice of containment material is especially critical to prevent leaks, equipment damage, and safety hazards.

Practical recommendation

PMP has limited resistance to Fluorine 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, PVC Rigid, ECTFE/ETFE, FEP offer significantly better resistance and are rated A.

Did you know?

Chemical resistance testing according to DIN and ISO standards typically evaluates weight change, dimensional change, and retention of tensile strength after immersion.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Thermoplastics
PVC Rigid A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, FEP A, ECTFE/ETFE A

About PMP

Polymethylpentene (TPX) is a transparent polyolefin used for labware. It resists many acids and alkalis, while aromatic and chlorinated solvents and strong oxidisers attack it.

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.