Summary
- ECTFE/ETFE is rated better with
- Esters and ethers (+94 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+91 points); Mineral acids (+87 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+87 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+85 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+80 points); Organic acids (+63 points); Alcohols and glycols (+55 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+41 points); Alkalis (+36 points); Salts and salt solutions (+18 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- 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 %
NBR
Nitrile butadiene rubber
Nitrile rubber resists mineral oils and fuels. Ketones, esters, chlorinated solvents, strong oxidisers and ozone attack it.
Rated rows: 983. A 36 %, B 9 %, C 19 %, D 36 %
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 | NBR: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 100 % (37 rows) | 13 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 100 % (33 rows) | 37 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (14 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (114 rows) | 82 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 100 % (17 rows) | 15 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 100 % (25 rows) | 45 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 100 % (14 rows) | 9 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 95 % (20 rows) | 1 % (76 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 100 % (9 rows) | 13 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | – | 7 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (13 rows) | 59 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | – | 69 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 100 % (16 rows) | 20 % (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: 175 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | ECTFE/ETFE | NBR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Acetonitrile | A | D | |
| Acetophenone | A | D | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | D | |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | A | D | |
| Amyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Amyl Chloride | A | D | |
| Aqua Regia | A | D | |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | A | D |
| Benzaldehyde | A | D | |
| Benzene | A | D | |
| Benzyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Benzyl Alcohol | A | D | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | A | D | |
| Bitter Orange Oil | A | D | |
| Bromine | A | D | |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | A | D |
| Butyric Acid | A | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | saturated | A | D |
| Carbon Disulfide | A | D | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | A | D | |
| Chlorine | 10 % wet | A | D |
| Chlorine Water | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | 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 |
| Cinnamon Oil | A | D | |
| Cresol | A | D | |
| Cumene | A | D | |
| Decahydronaphthalene | A | D | |
| Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) | A | D | |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | 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 NBR more chemical-resistant?
Of 373 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, ECTFE/ETFE and NBR share the same rating in 161 rows (43 %). ECTFE/ETFE is rated better in 209 rows and NBR in 3 rows.
How do ECTFE/ETFE and NBR compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 373 chemicals tested for both: ECTFE/ETFE is rated better with Esters and ethers, Ketones and aldehydes, Mineral acids, Amines and nitrogen compounds. NBR is rated better with –. They perform similarly with 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.