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FEP and Hydrofluoric Acid: Chemical Resistance

Fluorinated ethylene propylene

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
4 %AA
50 %AA
70 %A*–
100 %A*–

* estimated rating, given in the source without a temperature

Material comparison at 20 °C

Hydrofluoric Acid: Material comparison at 20 °CFEP: A (highlighted); LDPE: A; PP: A; PTFE: A; PVC Rigid: A; PVDF: A.FEP: AFEPLDPE: APP: APTFE: APVC Rigid: APVDF: AEPDM: CViton (FPM): CPVC Flexible: CAluminium: DNBR: DNylon (PA): DPolycarbonate: DPETG: DAcetal (POM): DPolystyrene: DPolysulfone: DSS 304: DSS 316: DECTFE/ETFE: –HDPE: –PMP: –SAN: –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

FEP shows excellent resistance to Hydrofluoric Acid across all 4 tested concentrations (4 %, 50 %, 70 %, 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

Hydrofluoric Acid is commonly encountered in surface cleaning and laboratory work. FEP (Fluorinated ethylene propylene) is a fluoropolymer typically used for seals, gaskets, valve seats and lined equipment. Because Hydrofluoric Acid is classified as corrosive, the choice of containment material is especially critical to prevent leaks, equipment damage, and safety hazards.

Practical recommendation

FEP can be used with confidence for Hydrofluoric 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?

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

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for 70 %, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
PP A, PVC Rigid A, LDPE A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, PVDF A

About FEP

FEP has nearly the chemical resistance of PTFE and can be melt-processed. Its service temperature, about 200 °C, is lower than that of PTFE.

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.