Summary
- HDPE is rated better with
- Alkalis (+36 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+22 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+14 points)
- PVDF is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+67 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+62 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+18 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+17 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Mineral acids; Organic acids; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; Alcohols and glycols; Phenols; Esters and ethers; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
HDPE
High-density polyethylene
High-density polyethylene resists most aqueous acids, alkalis and salt solutions. Strong oxidising acids, chlorinated solvents and aromatic hydrocarbons attack or swell it. Continuous service is usually limited to about 80 °C.
Rated rows: 686. A 82 %, B 3 %, C 9 %, D 6 %
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 | HDPE: rated A or B | PVDF: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 79 % (56 rows) | 87 % (61 rows) |
| Organic acids | 95 % (58 rows) | 94 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (193 rows) | 99 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 78 % (40 rows) | 87 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 93 % (43 rows) | 98 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 62 % (8 rows) | 71 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 84 % (19 rows) | 62 % (34 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 73 % (37 rows) | 64 % (66 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 90 % (21 rows) | 76 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 33 % (9 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 79 % (38 rows) | 97 % (72 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 71 % (21 rows) | 88 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 10 % (31 rows) | 72 % (54 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (32 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 102 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | HDPE | PVDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dibromoethane | D | A | |
| Bromine | D | A | |
| Bromine Vapors | D | A | |
| Bromine Water | saturated | D | A |
| Butanetriol | 100 % | D | A |
| Butene | technical grade | D | A |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Dichloroethylene | technical grade | D | A |
| Dichloromethane | D | A | |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Oleum Vapors | low concentration | D | A |
| Perchloroethylene (PCE) | D | A | |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 1 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 30 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 45 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 50 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 60 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | concentrated | A | D |
| Trichloroacetaldehyde | 100 % | A | D |
| Trifluorotrichloroethane | 100 % | D | A |
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | C | A | |
| 1,3-Butadiene | C | A | |
| Acetone | A | C | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | C | |
| Allyl Chloride | 100 % | C | A |
| Amyl Chloride | C | A | |
| Anisole | 100 % | A | C |
| Benzene | C | A | |
| Benzyl Acetate | A | C | |
| Benzyl Alcohol | C | A | |
| Brake Fluid | A | C | |
| Bromobenzene | C | A | |
| Bromoform | D | B | |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | C | A |
| Butyric Acid | C | A | |
| Chloramine-T | dilute | 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 HDPE or PVDF more chemical-resistant?
Of 684 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, HDPE and PVDF share the same rating in 500 rows (73 %). HDPE is rated better in 83 rows and PVDF in 101 rows.
How do HDPE and PVDF compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 684 chemicals tested for both: HDPE is rated better with Alkalis, Ketones and aldehydes, Amines and nitrogen compounds. PVDF is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils. They perform similarly with Mineral acids, Organic acids, Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens.
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.