Summary
- Viton (FPM) is rated better with
- Mineral acids (+70 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+62 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+57 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+31 points); Phenols (+29 points); Organic acids (+25 points); Alcohols and glycols (+24 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+14 points); Esters and ethers (+14 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+13 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+11 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Ketones and aldehydes; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
NBR
Nitrile butadiene rubber
Nitrile rubber resists mineral oils and fuels. Ketones, esters, chlorinated solvents, strong oxidisers and ozone attack it.
Rated rows: 983. A 36 %, B 9 %, C 19 %, D 36 %
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 | NBR: rated A or B | Viton (FPM): rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 13 % (63 rows) | 83 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 37 % (63 rows) | 62 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 64 % (22 rows) | 55 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 82 % (198 rows) | 88 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 15 % (62 rows) | 77 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 45 % (58 rows) | 69 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 0 % (14 rows) | 29 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 9 % (35 rows) | 6 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 1 % (76 rows) | 15 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 13 % (39 rows) | 24 % (37 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 7 % (14 rows) | 64 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 59 % (78 rows) | 90 % (71 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 69 % (48 rows) | 83 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 20 % (71 rows) | 33 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 93 % (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 | NBR | Viton (FPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1-Chloronaphthalene | D | A | |
| Acetamide | saturated | A | D |
| Acetyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | D | A |
| Benzenesulfonic Acid | saturated | D | A |
| Benzyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Bisulfite Liquor with SO2 | saturated | D | A |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | D | A |
| Butyl Stearate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butylene Glycol | technical grade | A | D |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | D | A | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | aqueous | D | A |
| Calcium Nitrate | 50 % | D | A |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrabromide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chloramine-T | dilute | A | D |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Dioxide | D | A | |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chlorine Water | D | A | |
| Chlorotoluene | D | A | |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | D | A |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | D | A |
| Chromic Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Chromic-Sulfuric Acid | concentrated | D | A |
| Cinnamaldehyde | D | A | |
| Cocoa Butter | D | A | |
| Copper(II) Nitrate | saturated | D | A |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Cumene | D | A | |
| Cymene | D | A | |
| Decahydronaphthalene | D | A | |
| Diethylbenzene | D | A | |
| Difluorochloroethane | 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 NBR or Viton (FPM) more chemical-resistant?
Of 963 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, NBR and Viton (FPM) share the same rating in 490 rows (51 %). NBR is rated better in 82 rows and Viton (FPM) in 391 rows.
How do NBR and Viton (FPM) compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 963 chemicals tested for both: NBR is rated better with –. Viton (FPM) is rated better with Mineral acids, Oxidising agents and halogens, Aromatic hydrocarbons, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, Ketones and aldehydes, 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.