Summary
- HDPE is rated better with
- Ketones and aldehydes (+78 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+66 points); Esters and ethers (+58 points); Alkalis (+45 points); Phenols (+33 points); Organic acids (+33 points); Alcohols and glycols (+24 points); Salts and salt solutions (+12 points)
- Viton (FPM) is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+31 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+23 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+12 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+11 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Mineral acids; Oxidising agents and halogens; 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 %
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 | HDPE: rated A or B | Viton (FPM): rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 79 % (56 rows) | 83 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 95 % (58 rows) | 62 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 55 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (193 rows) | 88 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 78 % (40 rows) | 77 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 93 % (43 rows) | 69 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 62 % (8 rows) | 29 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 84 % (19 rows) | 6 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 73 % (37 rows) | 15 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 90 % (21 rows) | 24 % (37 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 33 % (9 rows) | 64 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 79 % (38 rows) | 90 % (71 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 71 % (21 rows) | 83 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 10 % (31 rows) | 33 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (32 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 175 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | HDPE | Viton (FPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetamide | saturated | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Acetone | A | D | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | D | |
| Allyl Alcohol | 96 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Acetate Solution | saturated | A | D |
| Amyl Acetate | A | D | |
| Anisole | 100 % | A | D |
| Benzaldehyde | A | D | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | A | D | |
| Brake Fluid | A | D | |
| Butanetriol | 100 % | D | A |
| Butene | technical grade | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | A | D |
| Butylene Glycol | technical grade | A | D |
| Calcium Acetate | aqueous | A | D |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chloramine-T | dilute | A | D |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chloroethanol | technical grade | A | D |
| Chromic-Sulfuric Acid | concentrated | D | A |
| Cyclohexanol | technical grade | A | D |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | A | D |
| Dibutyl Sebacate | technical grade | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | technical grade | A | D |
| Diethyl Malonate | A | D | |
| Diisobutyl Ketone | technical grade | A | D |
| Dimethylamine | technical grade | A | D |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Epichlorohydrin | 100 % | A | D |
| Ethyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Ethyl Chloroacetate | technical grade | A | D |
| Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate | A | D | |
| Ethylenediamine | technical grade | A | D |
| Formic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Formic Acid | 98-100 % | 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 HDPE or Viton (FPM) more chemical-resistant?
Of 684 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, HDPE and Viton (FPM) share the same rating in 405 rows (59 %). HDPE is rated better in 204 rows and Viton (FPM) in 75 rows.
How do HDPE and Viton (FPM) compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 684 chemicals tested for both: HDPE is rated better with Ketones and aldehydes, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Esters and ethers, Alkalis. Viton (FPM) is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Mineral acids, Oxidising agents and halogens, 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.