Summary
- ECTFE/ETFE is rated better with
- Ketones and aldehydes (+94 points); Esters and ethers (+80 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+76 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+67 points); Alkalis (+45 points); Organic acids (+38 points); Alcohols and glycols (+31 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+23 points); Mineral acids (+17 points); Salts and salt solutions (+12 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons; 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 %
Viton (FPM)
Fluoroelastomer (FKM/FPM)
Fluoroelastomer (Viton, FKM/FPM) resists fuels, oils and many acids. Ketones, esters, amines and hot water or steam attack it.
Rated rows: 965. A 57 %, B 10 %, C 18 %, D 15 %
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 | Viton (FPM): rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 100 % (37 rows) | 83 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 100 % (33 rows) | 62 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (14 rows) | 55 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (114 rows) | 88 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 100 % (17 rows) | 77 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 100 % (25 rows) | 69 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 29 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 100 % (14 rows) | 6 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 95 % (20 rows) | 15 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 100 % (9 rows) | 24 % (37 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | – | 64 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (13 rows) | 90 % (71 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | – | 83 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 100 % (16 rows) | 33 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (26 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 94 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | ECTFE/ETFE | Viton (FPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetamide | saturated | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Acetophenone | A | D | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | D | |
| Allyl Alcohol | 96 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Acetate Solution | saturated | A | D |
| Amyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Aqua Regia | A | D | |
| Benzaldehyde | A | D | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | A | D | |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | A | D |
| Calcium Acetate | aqueous | A | D |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | A | D |
| Diethyl Malonate | A | D | |
| Dioxane | A | D | |
| Ethyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Ethyl Butyrate | A | D | |
| Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate | A | D | |
| Ethylene Oxide | A | D | |
| Formic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Formic Acid | 98-100 % | A | D |
| Isopropyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Methyl Glycol | 100 % | A | D |
| Methyl Propyl Ketone (2-Pentanone) | A | D | |
| Nitrobenzene | A | D | |
| p-Chloroacetophenone | A | D | |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 10 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 50 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | concentrated | A | D |
| Pyridine | A | D | |
| Sulfur Dioxide | moist | A | D |
| Sulfur Dioxide | liquid | A | D |
| 1,3-Butadiene | A | C | |
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | B | D |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | B | D |
| Acetic Acid | 10 % | A | C |
| Acetic Acid | 5 % | A | C |
| Acetone | B | 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 Viton (FPM) more chemical-resistant?
Of 374 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, ECTFE/ETFE and Viton (FPM) share the same rating in 243 rows (65 %). ECTFE/ETFE is rated better in 125 rows and Viton (FPM) in 6 rows.
How do ECTFE/ETFE and Viton (FPM) compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 374 chemicals tested for both: ECTFE/ETFE is rated better with Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Halogenated hydrocarbons. Viton (FPM) is rated better with –. They perform similarly with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, 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.