Summary
- FEP is rated better with
- Ketones and aldehydes (+38 points); Esters and ethers (+36 points); Alkalis (+36 points); Phenols (+29 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+24 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+18 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+13 points); Mineral acids (+13 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+12 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Organic acids; Salts and salt solutions; Alcohols and glycols; Aromatic hydrocarbons; 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
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 %
PVDF
Polyvinylidene fluoride
PVDF resists acids, halogens and hydrocarbons. Strong bases, amines, ketones and esters attack it. Service temperature is up to about 150 °C.
Rated rows: 944. A 73 %, B 15 %, C 10 %, D 2 %
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 | PVDF: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 100 % (55 rows) | 87 % (61 rows) |
| Organic acids | 100 % (64 rows) | 94 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (18 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (197 rows) | 99 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 100 % (52 rows) | 87 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 100 % (57 rows) | 98 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 100 % (14 rows) | 71 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 100 % (33 rows) | 62 % (34 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 100 % (69 rows) | 64 % (66 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 100 % (38 rows) | 76 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (74 rows) | 97 % (72 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 100 % (47 rows) | 88 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 90 % (49 rows) | 72 % (54 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (46 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 91 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | FEP | PVDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | A | D |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | A | D |
| Acetic Anhydride | technical grade | A | D |
| Chloral Hydrate | technical grade | A | D |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Fluorine | A | D | |
| Oleum (Fuming Sulfuric Acid) | 10 % SO3 | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 1 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 30 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 50 % | A | D |
| Sulfur Dioxide | liquid | A | D |
| Sulfuric Acid | fuming | A | D |
| Trichloroacetaldehyde | 100 % | A | D |
| 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural | A | C | |
| Acetone | A | C | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | C | |
| Anise Oil | A | C | |
| Anisole | 100 % | A | C |
| Benzyl Acetate | A | C | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | A | C |
| Brake Fluid | A | C | |
| Bromochloromethane | 100 % | A | C |
| Butyraldehyde | A | C | |
| Camphor | A | C | |
| Camphor Oil | A | C | |
| Chloramine-T | dilute | A | C |
| Creosote | A | C | |
| Dichloroisopropyl Ether | A | C | |
| Diethyl Ketone | A | C | |
| Diethyl Malonate | A | C | |
| Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) | A | C | |
| Dimethylamine | technical grade | A | C |
| Dioxane | A | C | |
| Epichlorohydrin | 100 % | A | C |
| Essential Oils | A | C | |
| Ethyl Acetate | 100 % | A | C |
| Ethyl Acrylate | 100 % | A | C |
| Ethyl Benzoate | A | C | |
| Ethyl Cyanoacetate | A | C |
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 PVDF more chemical-resistant?
Of 893 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, FEP and PVDF share the same rating in 669 rows (75 %). FEP is rated better in 222 rows and PVDF in 2 rows.
How do FEP and PVDF compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 893 chemicals tested for both: FEP is rated better with Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, Alkalis, Phenols. PVDF is rated better with –. They perform similarly with Organic acids, Salts and salt solutions, Alcohols and glycols, Aromatic 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.