Summary
- FEP is rated better with
- Mineral acids (+84 points); Alkalis (+76 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+63 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+55 points); Salts and salt solutions (+48 points); Organic acids (+33 points); Phenols (+14 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alcohols and glycols; Ketones and aldehydes; Esters and ethers; Amines and nitrogen compounds; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons; Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
FEP
Fluorinated ethylene propylene
FEP has nearly the chemical resistance of PTFE and can be melt-processed. Its service temperature, about 200 °C, is lower than that of PTFE.
Rated rows: 908. A 99 %, B 0 %, C 1 %, D 0 %
Aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium relies on a thin oxide layer. Strong acids, strong alkalis and mercury compounds destroy that layer.
Rated rows: 968. A 60 %, B 9 %, C 16 %, D 16 %
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 | FEP: rated A or B | Aluminium: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 100 % (55 rows) | 16 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 100 % (64 rows) | 67 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (18 rows) | 24 % (21 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (197 rows) | 52 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 100 % (52 rows) | 45 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 100 % (57 rows) | 98 % (59 rows) |
| Phenols | 100 % (14 rows) | 86 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 100 % (33 rows) | 97 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 100 % (69 rows) | 94 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 100 % (38 rows) | 95 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (74 rows) | 100 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 100 % (47 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 90 % (49 rows) | 27 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (46 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 258 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | FEP | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetyl Chloride | 100 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Chloride | 10 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Chloride | saturated | A | D |
| Aluminum Nitrate | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate | any concentration | A | D |
| Ammonium Fluoride | saturated | A | D |
| Ammonium Fluoride | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Iron(II) Sulfate | A | D | |
| Ammonium Iron(III) Sulfate | saturated | A | D |
| Ammonium Persulfate | saturated | A | D |
| Ammonium Persulfate | aqueous | A | D |
| Aniline Hydrochloride | saturated | A | D |
| Antimony Trichloride | 90 % | A | D |
| Antimony Trichloride | aqueous | A | D |
| Arsenic Acid | aqueous | A | D |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | A | D |
| Bismuth Chloride | A | D | |
| Bromine | A | D | |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | A | D |
| Cadmium Bromide | A | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | A | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | saturated | A | D |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | aqueous | A | D |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | aqueous | A | D |
| Caraway | ground | A | D |
| Chloral Hydrate | technical grade | A | D |
| Chlorine | 10 % wet | A | D |
| Chlorine Water | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | A | D |
| Copper Acetate | aqueous | A | D |
| Copper Sulfate (Copper Vitriol) | aqueous | A | D |
| Copper(I) Chloride | aqueous | A | D |
| Copper(II) Chloride | saturated | A | D |
| Copper(II) Nitrate | saturated | A | D |
| Copper(II) Nitrate | aqueous | A | D |
| Dehydroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 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 FEP or Aluminium more chemical-resistant?
Of 895 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, FEP and Aluminium share the same rating in 560 rows (63 %). FEP is rated better in 334 rows and Aluminium in 1 rows.
How do FEP and Aluminium compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 895 chemicals tested for both: FEP is rated better with Mineral acids, Alkalis, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Oxidising agents and halogens. Aluminium is rated better with –. They perform similarly with Alcohols and glycols, Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, Amines and nitrogen compounds.
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.