Summary
- LDPE is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+71 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+57 points); Esters and ethers (+53 points); Alkalis (+45 points); Phenols (+38 points); Organic acids (+31 points); Alcohols and glycols (+20 points); Salts and salt solutions (+11 points)
- Viton (FPM) is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+44 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+24 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+22 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+20 points); Mineral acids (+12 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Oxidising agents and halogens; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
LDPE
Low-density polyethylene
Low-density polyethylene has a similar profile to HDPE but is softer and more permeable, so solvents swell it sooner. Continuous service is usually limited to about 60 °C.
Rated rows: 678. A 78 %, B 4 %, C 11 %, D 8 %
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 | LDPE: rated A or B | Viton (FPM): rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 71 % (48 rows) | 83 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 93 % (59 rows) | 62 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 55 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 99 % (187 rows) | 88 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 76 % (38 rows) | 77 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 89 % (46 rows) | 69 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 67 % (9 rows) | 29 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 63 % (19 rows) | 6 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 68 % (41 rows) | 15 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 95 % (19 rows) | 24 % (37 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 20 % (10 rows) | 64 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 66 % (41 rows) | 90 % (71 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 63 % (19 rows) | 83 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 11 % (36 rows) | 33 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (30 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 181 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | LDPE | Viton (FPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetamide | saturated | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Acetophenone | A | D | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | D | |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Acetate Solution | saturated | A | D |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Brake Fluid | A | D | |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | D | A |
| 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 | |
| Chromic-Sulfuric Acid | concentrated | D | A |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Cyclohexanol | technical grade | A | D |
| Dibutyl Ether | technical grade | A | D |
| Dibutyl Sebacate | technical grade | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Diethyl Malonate | A | D | |
| Diethylbenzene | D | A | |
| Diisobutyl Ketone | technical grade | A | D |
| Dimethylamine | technical grade | A | D |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Epichlorohydrin | 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 |
| Hydroquinone | saturated | A | D |
| Methacrylic Acid | A | D | |
| Methanesulfonic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Methyl Acetate | 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 LDPE or Viton (FPM) more chemical-resistant?
Of 674 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, LDPE and Viton (FPM) share the same rating in 392 rows (58 %). LDPE is rated better in 197 rows and Viton (FPM) in 85 rows.
How do LDPE and Viton (FPM) compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 674 chemicals tested for both: LDPE is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds, Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, Alkalis. Viton (FPM) is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils. They perform similarly with 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.