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PVDF and Water Glass (Sodium Silicate): Chemical Resistance

Polyvinylidene fluoride

Rating

Concentration20 °C50 °CRemark
saturatedAC

Material comparison at 20 °C

Water Glass (Sodium Silicate): Material comparison at 20 °CPVDF: A (highlighted); Aluminium: A; EPDM: A; FEP: A; Viton (FPM): A; HDPE: A.Aluminium: AEPDM: AFEP: AViton (FPM): AHDPE: ALDPE: ANBR: ANylon (PA): APolycarbonate: APETG: APP: APolystyrene: APTFE: APVC Rigid: APVC Flexible: APVDF: APVDFSAN: ASS 304: ASS 316: AECTFE/ETFE: –PMP: –Acetal (POM): –Polysulfone: –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

PVDF shows very good resistance (A) to Water Glass (Sodium Silicate) at saturated at 20 °C, meaning the material remains essentially unaffected by this chemical under standard laboratory test conditions. 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

Water Glass (Sodium Silicate) is commonly encountered in chemical processing and metal finishing. PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride) is a fluoropolymer typically used for seals, gaskets, valve seats and lined equipment. Because Water Glass (Sodium Silicate) is classified as corrosive, the choice of containment material is especially critical to prevent leaks, equipment damage, and safety hazards.

Practical recommendation

PVDF can be used with confidence for Water Glass (Sodium Silicate) 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?

In industrial practice, PVDF components exposed to Water Glass (Sodium Silicate) are typically inspected for swelling, discoloration, or loss of mechanical strength as early indicators of chemical attack.

Materials rated A or B at 20 °C

Based on the row for saturated, 20 °C.

Thermoplastics
HDPE A, PP A, PVC Rigid A, LDPE A, Nylon (PA) A, Polycarbonate A, PVC Flexible A, Polystyrene A, PETG A, SAN A
Fluoropolymers
PTFE A, FEP A
Elastomers
EPDM A, Viton (FPM) A, NBR A
Metals
SS 316 A, SS 304 A, Aluminium A

About PVDF

PVDF resists acids, halogens and hydrocarbons. Strong bases, amines, ketones and esters attack it. Service temperature is up to about 150 °C.

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.