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ECTFE/ETFE and n-Heptane: Chemical Resistance

Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene / ethylene tetrafluoroethylene

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
concentration not statedAA

Material comparison at 20 °C

n-Heptane: Material comparison at 20 °CECTFE/ETFE: A (highlighted); Aluminium: A; FEP: A; Viton (FPM): A; NBR: A; Nylon (PA): A.Aluminium: AECTFE/ETFE: AECTFEFEP: AViton (FPM): ANBR: ANylon (PA): APolycarbonate: APETG: AAcetal (POM): APolysulfone: APTFE: APVDF: ASAN: ASS 304: ASS 316: AHDPE: BPP: BPVC Rigid: BLDPE: CPMP: CEPDM: DPolystyrene: DPVC Flexible: DSilicone: –
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 very good resistance (A) to n-Heptane at 20 °C, meaning the material remains essentially unaffected by this chemical under standard laboratory test conditions. 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

n-Heptane is commonly encountered in lubrication systems and chemical storage. ECTFE/ETFE (Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene / ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) is a fluoropolymer typically used for seals, gaskets, valve seats and lined equipment. Since n-Heptane 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

ECTFE/ETFE can be used with confidence for n-Heptane 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?

Temperature is often the deciding factor when selecting materials for n-Heptane: even materials rated A at 20 °C may lose performance at elevated temperatures.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Thermoplastics
HDPE B, PP B, PVC Rigid B, Nylon (PA) A, Acetal (POM) A, Polycarbonate A, Polysulfone A, PETG A, SAN A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, PVDF A, FEP A
Elastomers
Viton (FPM) A, NBR 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.