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PETG vs FEP: Chemical Resistance Compared

Of 592 source rows rated for both materials at 20 °C, 332 (56 %) have the same rating. PETG is rated better in 1 rows and FEP in 259. A row is one chemical at one concentration.

Summary

FEP is rated better with
Mineral acids (+80 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+79 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+71 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+58 points); Alkalis (+55 points); Esters and ethers (+43 points); Organic acids (+30 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+22 points)
Within 10 points of each other
Salts and salt solutions; Alcohols and glycols; Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons; Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils; Foods and beverages

Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.

The two materials

PETG

Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (co-polyester)

PETG is a co-polyester for clear containers. Strong acids and alkalis and most organic solvents attack it.

Rated rows: 619. A 55 %, B 23 %, C 4 %, D 18 %

All chemicals for PETG

FEP

Fluorinated ethylene propylene

FEP has nearly the chemical resistance of PTFE and can be melt-processed. Its service temperature, about 200 °C, is lower than that of PTFE.

Rated rows: 908. A 99 %, B 0 %, C 1 %, D 0 %

All chemicals for FEP

Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical class

PETG, FEP: Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical classMineral acids: PETG 20 %, FEP 100 %. Organic acids: PETG 70 %, FEP 100 %. Alkalis: PETG 45 %, FEP 100 %. Salts and salt solutions: PETG 100 %, FEP 100 %. Oxidising agents and halogens: PETG 29 %, FEP 100 %. Alcohols and glycols: PETG 100 %, FEP 100 %. Ketones and aldehydes: PETG 21 %, FEP 100 %. Esters and ethers: PETG 57 %, FEP 100 %. Amines and nitrogen compounds: PETG 78 %, FEP 100 %. Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons: PETG 98 %, FEP 100 %. Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils: PETG 100 %, FEP 100 %. Halogenated hydrocarbons: PETG 32 %, FEP 90 %. Foods and beverages: PETG 100 %, FEP 100 %.Mineral acidsMineral acids, PETG: 20 % (41)20 %Mineral acids, FEP: 100 % (55)100 %Organic acidsOrganic acids, PETG: 70 % (33)70 %Organic acids, FEP: 100 % (64)100 %AlkalisAlkalis, PETG: 45 % (20)45 %Alkalis, FEP: 100 % (18)100 %Salts and salt solutionsSalts and salt solutions, PETG: 100 % (159)100 %Salts and salt solutions, FEP: 100 % (197)100 %Oxidising agents and halogensOxidising agents and halogens, PETG: 29 % (38)29 %Oxidising agents and halogens, FEP: 100 % (52)100 %Alcohols and glycolsAlcohols and glycols, PETG: 100 % (40)100 %Alcohols and glycols, FEP: 100 % (57)100 %Ketones and aldehydesKetones and aldehydes, PETG: 21 % (24)21 %Ketones and aldehydes, FEP: 100 % (33)100 %Esters and ethersEsters and ethers, PETG: 57 % (28)57 %Esters and ethers, FEP: 100 % (69)100 %Amines and nitrogen compoundsAmines and nitrogen compounds, PETG: 78 % (9)78 %Amines and nitrogen compounds, FEP: 100 % (38)100 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbonsFuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, PETG: 98 % (65)98 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, FEP: 100 % (74)100 %Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oilsVegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, PETG: 100 % (34)100 %Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, FEP: 100 % (47)100 %Halogenated hydrocarbonsHalogenated hydrocarbons, PETG: 32 % (25)32 %Halogenated hydrocarbons, FEP: 90 % (49)90 %Foods and beveragesFoods and beverages, PETG: 100 % (43)100 %Foods and beverages, FEP: 100 % (46)100 %
PETGFEP
Rating at 20 °C. Only classes with at least 8 rated rows for both materials are shown.

How often the two ratings agree

PETG, FEP: How often the two ratings agreePETG A, FEP A: 332; PETG A, FEP C: 1; PETG B, FEP A: 139; PETG C, FEP A: 24; PETG D, FEP A: 94; PETG D, FEP B: 2.FEPABCDPETGAPETG A, FEP A: 332332PETG A, FEP B: 00PETG A, FEP C: 11PETG A, FEP D: 00BPETG B, FEP A: 139139PETG B, FEP B: 00PETG B, FEP C: 00PETG B, FEP D: 00CPETG C, FEP A: 2424PETG C, FEP B: 00PETG C, FEP C: 00PETG C, FEP D: 00DPETG D, FEP A: 9494PETG D, FEP B: 22PETG D, FEP C: 00PETG D, FEP D: 00
Number of source rows for each pair of ratings at 20 °C. Outlined cells are rows where both materials have the same rating.

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 classPETG: rated A or BFEP: rated A or B
Mineral acids20 % (41 rows)100 % (55 rows)
Organic acids70 % (33 rows)100 % (64 rows)
Alkalis45 % (20 rows)100 % (18 rows)
Salts and salt solutions100 % (159 rows)100 % (197 rows)
Oxidising agents and halogens29 % (38 rows)100 % (52 rows)
Alcohols and glycols100 % (40 rows)100 % (57 rows)
Phenols–100 % (14 rows)
Ketones and aldehydes21 % (24 rows)100 % (33 rows)
Esters and ethers57 % (28 rows)100 % (69 rows)
Amines and nitrogen compounds78 % (9 rows)100 % (38 rows)
Aromatic hydrocarbons–100 % (14 rows)
Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons98 % (65 rows)100 % (74 rows)
Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils100 % (34 rows)100 % (47 rows)
Halogenated hydrocarbons32 % (25 rows)90 % (49 rows)
Foods and beverages100 % (43 rows)100 % (46 rows)

Where the ratings differ most

Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 121 in total, the first 40 shown.

ChemicalConcentrationPETGFEP
1,2-DibromoethaneDA
Acetaldehyde40 %DA
Acetaldehydetechnical gradeDA
Acetic Acid100 %DA
Acetic Acid90 %DA
AcetoneDA
AcetonitrileDA
Acetyl Chloride100 %DA
AcrylonitrileDA
Allyl Acetate100 %DA
Allyl Chloride100 %DA
Battery Acid38 %DA
BenzaldehydeDA
BenzeneDA
Benzenesulfonic AcidsaturatedDA
Bitter Almond OilDA
BromineDA
Bromine VaporsDA
BromoformDA
Chloral Hydratetechnical gradeDA
Chlorine10 % wetDA
Chlorine97 %DA
Chlorine GasDA
Chlorine WaterDA
Chloroacetic AcidDA
Chloroacetic Acid50 %DA
Chloroform100 %DA
Chromic Acid20 %DA
Chromic Acid50 %DA
CresolDA
Cyclohexanonetechnical gradeDA
Dichloroacetic Acid50 %DA
Dichloroacetic Acidtechnical gradeDA
Dichloroethylenetechnical gradeDA
DichloromethaneDA
Dichloropropane100 %DA
Diethyl KetoneDA
Diisobutyl Ketonetechnical gradeDA
Diisopropyl KetoneDA
Diphenyl EtherDA

Rating scale

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 PETG or FEP more chemical-resistant?

Of 592 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PETG and FEP share the same rating in 332 rows (56 %). PETG is rated better in 1 rows and FEP in 259 rows.

How do PETG and FEP compare for chemical resistance?

Based on 592 chemicals tested for both: PETG is rated better with –. FEP is rated better with Mineral acids, Ketones and aldehydes, Oxidising agents and halogens, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Salts and salt solutions, Alcohols and glycols, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils.

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.