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EPDM and Vinyl Acetate: Chemical Resistance

Ethylene propylene diene rubber

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
technical gradeA–

Material comparison at 20 °C

Vinyl Acetate: Material comparison at 20 °CEPDM: A (highlighted); Aluminium: A; FEP: A; LDPE: A; Nylon (PA): A; PP: A.Aluminium: AEPDM: AEPDMFEP: ALDPE: ANylon (PA): APP: APTFE: APVDF: ASS 304: ASS 316: AViton (FPM): CNBR: CPETG: CPolycarbonate: DPMP: DPVC Rigid: DPVC Flexible: DECTFE/ETFE: –HDPE: –Acetal (POM): –Polystyrene: –Polysulfone: –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

EPDM shows very good resistance (A) to Vinyl Acetate at technical grade 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

Vinyl Acetate is commonly encountered in chemical storage and food processing. EPDM (Ethylene propylene diene rubber) is an elastomer typically used for seals, O-rings, hoses and flexible connections. Since Vinyl Acetate 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

EPDM can be used with confidence for Vinyl Acetate 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 elastomers for Vinyl Acetate 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 technical grade, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
PP A, LDPE A, Nylon (PA) A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, PVDF A, FEP A
Metals
SS 316 A, SS 304 A, Aluminium A

About EPDM

EPDM resists water, steam, alkalis, ketones and alcohols. Mineral oils, fuels and aromatic solvents swell it severely.

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.