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ECTFE/ETFE and Formic Acid: Chemical Resistance

Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene / ethylene tetrafluoroethylene

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
3 %AA
50 %AA
98-100 %AA

Material comparison at 20 °C

Formic Acid: Material comparison at 20 °CECTFE/ETFE: A (highlighted); Aluminium: A; FEP: A; HDPE: A; LDPE: A; PMP: A.Aluminium: AECTFE/ETFE: AECTFEFEP: AHDPE: ALDPE: APMP: APP: APTFE: APVC Flexible: APVDF: ASS 304: ASS 316: AEPDM: CPolycarbonate: CPolystyrene: CPolysulfone: CPVC Rigid: CSAN: CViton (FPM): DNBR: DNylon (PA): DAcetal (POM): DPETG: –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

ECTFE/ETFE shows excellent resistance to Formic Acid across all 3 tested concentrations (3 %, 50 %, 98-100 %) at 20 °C, making it a reliable choice for storage, transfer, and handling applications involving this chemical at any of the tested strengths. 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

Formic Acid is commonly encountered in water treatment and laboratory work. ECTFE/ETFE (Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene / ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) is a fluoropolymer typically used for seals, gaskets, valve seats and lined equipment. Because Formic Acid 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 Formic Acid 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?

When choosing between fluoropolymers for Formic Acid 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 98-100 %, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
HDPE A, PP A, LDPE A, PVC Flexible A, PMP A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, PVDF A, FEP A
Metals
SS 316 A, SS 304 A, Aluminium A

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.