Summary
- ECTFE/ETFE is rated better with
- Mineral acids (+95 points); Organic acids (+75 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+74 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+50 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+47 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+37 points); Alcohols and glycols (+33 points); Salts and salt solutions (+22 points); Esters and ethers (+15 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; 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
Nylon (PA)
Polyamide (nylon)
Polyamide (nylon) resists fuels, oils and many solvents. Mineral acids, even dilute, and strong oxidisers attack it, and it absorbs water.
Rated rows: 945. A 44 %, B 21 %, C 17 %, D 18 %
ECTFE/ETFE
Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene / ethylene tetrafluoroethylene
ECTFE and ETFE are tough fluoropolymers with broad resistance. Hot amines and some chlorinated solvents at elevated temperature are their main limits.
Rated rows: 374. A 94 %, B 6 %, C 0 %, D 0 %
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 | Nylon (PA): rated A or B | ECTFE/ETFE: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 5 % (63 rows) | 100 % (37 rows) |
| Organic acids | 25 % (63 rows) | 100 % (33 rows) |
| Alkalis | 91 % (22 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 78 % (194 rows) | 100 % (114 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 26 % (62 rows) | 100 % (17 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 67 % (58 rows) | 100 % (25 rows) |
| Phenols | 8 % (13 rows) | – |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 53 % (32 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 80 % (65 rows) | 95 % (20 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 50 % (34 rows) | 100 % (9 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (14 rows) | – |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 97 % (73 rows) | 100 % (13 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 98 % (46 rows) | – |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 63 % (70 rows) | 100 % (16 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 98 % (46 rows) | 100 % (26 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 115 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Nylon (PA) | ECTFE/ETFE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | 10 % | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 5 % | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | D | A |
| Aqua Regia | D | A | |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | D | A |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Bromine | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Cetyl Alcohol | 100 % | D | A |
| Chlorine | 10 % wet | D | A |
| Chlorine Water | D | A | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | D | A |
| Chromic Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Chromic-Sulfuric Acid | concentrated | D | A |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Fluorine | D | A | |
| Fluorosilicic Acid | 32 % | D | A |
| Formic Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Formic Acid | 98-100 % | D | A |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 1-5 % | D | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 20 % | D | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 35 % | D | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid | concentrated | D | A |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 4 % | D | A |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 30 % | D | A |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 90 % | D | A |
| Iodine Tincture | D | A | |
| Maleic Acid | saturated | D | A |
| Maleic Acid | aqueous | D | A |
| Mercury(II) Chloride | aqueous | D | A |
| Nitric Acid | 1-10 % | D | A |
| Nitric Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Nitric Acid | 66 % | D | A |
| Nitric Acid | 70 % | D | A |
| Nitrobenzene | D | A |
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 Nylon (PA) or ECTFE/ETFE more chemical-resistant?
Of 371 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Nylon (PA) and ECTFE/ETFE share the same rating in 184 rows (50 %). Nylon (PA) is rated better in 8 rows and ECTFE/ETFE in 179 rows.
How do Nylon (PA) and ECTFE/ETFE compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 371 chemicals tested for both: Nylon (PA) is rated better with –. ECTFE/ETFE is rated better with Mineral acids, Organic acids, Oxidising agents and halogens, Amines and nitrogen compounds. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, 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.