Summary
- ECTFE/ETFE is rated better with
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+99 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+77 points); Esters and ethers (+70 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+69 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+67 points); Mineral acids (+60 points); Organic acids (+53 points); Alcohols and glycols (+47 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+35 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
ECTFE/ETFE
Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene / ethylene tetrafluoroethylene
ECTFE and ETFE are tough fluoropolymers with broad resistance. Hot amines and some chlorinated solvents at elevated temperature are their main limits.
Rated rows: 374. A 94 %, B 6 %, C 0 %, D 0 %
EPDM
Ethylene propylene diene rubber
EPDM resists water, steam, alkalis, ketones and alcohols. Mineral oils, fuels and aromatic solvents swell it severely.
Rated rows: 976. A 44 %, B 9 %, C 20 %, D 28 %
Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical class
How often the two ratings agree
Chemical classes were assigned by this site, not by the source. Mixtures and trade products without a clear class are not counted.
By chemical class
| Chemical class | ECTFE/ETFE: rated A or B | EPDM: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 100 % (37 rows) | 40 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 100 % (33 rows) | 47 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (14 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (114 rows) | 98 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 100 % (17 rows) | 65 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 100 % (25 rows) | 53 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 7 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 100 % (14 rows) | 31 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 95 % (20 rows) | 25 % (72 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 100 % (9 rows) | 33 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | – | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (13 rows) | 1 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | – | 4 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 100 % (16 rows) | 23 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (26 rows) | 93 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 125 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | ECTFE/ETFE | EPDM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | A | D | |
| 1,3-Butadiene | A | D | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | A | D | |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Acrylonitrile | A | D | |
| Amyl Chloride | A | D | |
| Aqua Regia | A | D | |
| Benzene | A | D | |
| Bitter Orange Oil | A | D | |
| Bromine | A | D | |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | A | D |
| Butyric Acid | A | D | |
| Carbon Disulfide | A | D | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | A | D | |
| Cedar Oil | A | D | |
| Chlorobenzene | A | D | |
| Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride) | A | D | |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Chromic-Sulfuric Acid | concentrated | A | D |
| Cresol | A | D | |
| Cumene | A | D | |
| Cyclohexane | A | D | |
| Decahydronaphthalene | A | D | |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | A | D |
| Diethylbenzene | A | D | |
| Dipropylene Glycol | A | D | |
| Ethylene Dichloride | A | D | |
| Ethylene Oxide | A | D | |
| Fluorine | A | D | |
| Gasoline (Petrol) | A | D | |
| Heating Oil | A | D | |
| Maleic Acid | saturated | A | D |
| Maleic Acid | aqueous | A | D |
| Methoxyethyl Oleate | A | D | |
| Mineral Oil | A | D | |
| n-Heptane | A | D | |
| n-Hexane | A | D | |
| Nitric Acid | 50 % | A | D |
Rating scale
- A very good resistance
- B good resistance
- C limited resistance
- D not resistant
- – no data
- K no general statement possible
A rating marked * is an estimate in the source, not a test result. An estimate is given as one value without a temperature.
More comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ECTFE/ETFE or EPDM more chemical-resistant?
Of 374 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, ECTFE/ETFE and EPDM share the same rating in 215 rows (57 %). ECTFE/ETFE is rated better in 153 rows and EPDM in 6 rows.
How do ECTFE/ETFE and EPDM compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 374 chemicals tested for both: ECTFE/ETFE is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers, Ketones and aldehydes. EPDM is rated better with –. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, Foods and beverages.
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.