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ECTFE/ETFE and Sulfur Dioxide: Chemical Resistance

Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene / ethylene tetrafluoroethylene

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
moistAA
liquidAB

Material comparison at 20 °C

Sulfur Dioxide: Material comparison at 20 °CECTFE/ETFE: A (highlighted); EPDM: A; FEP: A; HDPE: A; LDPE: A; PMP: A.ECTFE/ETFE: AECTFEEPDM: AFEP: AHDPE: ALDPE: APMP: APP: APTFE: APVC Rigid: APVDF: ASS 304: ASS 316: APolysulfone: BAluminium: CNylon (PA): CPolycarbonate: CPolystyrene: CViton (FPM): DNBR: DAcetal (POM): DPETG: –PVC Flexible: –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

ECTFE/ETFE shows excellent resistance to Sulfur Dioxide across all 2 tested concentrations (moist, liquid) at 20 °C, making it a reliable choice for storage, transfer, and handling applications involving this chemical at any of the tested strengths. 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

Sulfur Dioxide is commonly encountered in metal finishing and laboratory work. ECTFE/ETFE (Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene / ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) is a fluoropolymer typically used for seals, gaskets, valve seats and lined equipment. Because Sulfur Dioxide 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 Sulfur Dioxide 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. At elevated temperatures (50 °C), some reduction in resistance occurs, so periodic inspection is advisable for heated applications. Always verify performance under actual operating conditions before committing to a design.

Did you know?

The ratings shown here apply to pure Sulfur Dioxide in contact with the base fluoropolymer. In real-world applications, additives, pigments, and fillers in the material can shift resistance in either direction.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for moist, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
HDPE A, PP A, PVC Rigid A, LDPE A, Polysulfone B, PMP A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, PVDF A, FEP A
Elastomers
EPDM A
Metals
SS 316 A, SS 304 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.