Summary
- EPDM is rated better with
- Alkalis (+45 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+25 points)
- Viton (FPM) is rated better with
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+89 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+79 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+64 points); Mineral acids (+43 points); Phenols (+22 points); Alcohols and glycols (+16 points); Organic acids (+15 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+12 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Salts and salt solutions; Esters and ethers; Amines and nitrogen compounds; Halogenated hydrocarbons; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
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 %
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 | EPDM: rated A or B | Viton (FPM): rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 40 % (63 rows) | 83 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 47 % (64 rows) | 62 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 55 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 98 % (198 rows) | 88 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 65 % (62 rows) | 77 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 53 % (58 rows) | 69 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 7 % (14 rows) | 29 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 31 % (35 rows) | 6 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 25 % (72 rows) | 15 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 33 % (39 rows) | 24 % (37 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (14 rows) | 64 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 1 % (78 rows) | 90 % (71 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 4 % (48 rows) | 83 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 23 % (71 rows) | 33 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 93 % (46 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 325 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | EPDM | Viton (FPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1-Chloronaphthalene | D | A | |
| 1-Heptanol | D | A | |
| Acetamide | saturated | A | D |
| Acetone | A | D | |
| Acetophenone | A | D | |
| Acetyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Alcohol | 96 % | A | D |
| Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Aluminum Acetate Solution | saturated | A | D |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Aviation Fuels (JP) | D | A | |
| Beef Tallow | D | A | |
| Benzenesulfonic Acid | saturated | D | A |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Bitumen | D | A | |
| Bone Oil | D | A | |
| Brake Fluid | A | D | |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | D | A |
| Butane | technical grade | D | A |
| Butyl Stearate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butylene Glycol | technical grade | A | D |
| Calcium Acetate | aqueous | A | D |
| Calcium Bisulfite | saturated | D | A |
| Calcium Bisulfite | aqueous | D | A |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrabromide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chloramine-T | dilute | A | D |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Dioxide | D | A | |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chloroacetone | A | D | |
| Chlorodifluoromethane | A | D | |
| Chlorofluoromethane | A | D | |
| Chlorotoluene | D | A | |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | D | A |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | D | A |
| Chromic Acid | 50 % | D | A |
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 EPDM or Viton (FPM) more chemical-resistant?
Of 965 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, EPDM and Viton (FPM) share the same rating in 443 rows (46 %). EPDM is rated better in 188 rows and Viton (FPM) in 334 rows.
How do EPDM and Viton (FPM) compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 965 chemicals tested for both: EPDM is rated better with Alkalis, Ketones and aldehydes. Viton (FPM) is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Aromatic hydrocarbons, Mineral acids. They perform similarly with Salts and salt solutions, Esters and ethers, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Halogenated hydrocarbons.
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.