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PMP vs EPDM: Chemical Resistance Compared

Of 416 source rows rated for both materials at 20 °C, 250 (60 %) have the same rating. PMP is rated better in 127 rows and EPDM in 39. A row is one chemical at one concentration.

Summary

PMP is rated better with
Alcohols and glycols (+43 points); Organic acids (+38 points); Mineral acids (+31 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+29 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+25 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+17 points); Esters and ethers (+11 points)
EPDM is rated better with
Halogenated hydrocarbons (+20 points)
Within 10 points of each other
Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; Ketones and aldehydes; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Foods and beverages

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

The two materials

PMP

Polymethylpentene (TPX)

Polymethylpentene (TPX) is a transparent polyolefin used for labware. It resists many acids and alkalis, while aromatic and chlorinated solvents and strong oxidisers attack it.

Rated rows: 416. A 55 %, B 6 %, C 7 %, D 32 %

All chemicals for PMP

EPDM

Ethylene propylene diene rubber

EPDM resists water, steam, alkalis, ketones and alcohols. Mineral oils, fuels and aromatic solvents swell it severely.

Rated rows: 976. A 44 %, B 9 %, C 20 %, D 28 %

All chemicals for EPDM

Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical class

PMP, EPDM: Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical classMineral acids: PMP 71 %, EPDM 40 %. Organic acids: PMP 85 %, EPDM 47 %. Alkalis: PMP 100 %, EPDM 100 %. Salts and salt solutions: PMP 100 %, EPDM 98 %. Oxidising agents and halogens: PMP 67 %, EPDM 65 %. Alcohols and glycols: PMP 96 %, EPDM 53 %. Ketones and aldehydes: PMP 37 %, EPDM 31 %. Esters and ethers: PMP 36 %, EPDM 25 %. Amines and nitrogen compounds: PMP 50 %, EPDM 33 %. Aromatic hydrocarbons: PMP 10 %, EPDM 0 %. Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons: PMP 30 %, EPDM 1 %. Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils: PMP 29 %, EPDM 4 %. Halogenated hydrocarbons: PMP 3 %, EPDM 23 %. Foods and beverages: PMP 100 %, EPDM 93 %.Mineral acidsMineral acids, PMP: 71 % (35)71 %Mineral acids, EPDM: 40 % (63)40 %Organic acidsOrganic acids, PMP: 85 % (26)85 %Organic acids, EPDM: 47 % (64)47 %AlkalisAlkalis, PMP: 100 % (17)100 %Alkalis, EPDM: 100 % (22)100 %Salts and salt solutionsSalts and salt solutions, PMP: 100 % (67)100 %Salts and salt solutions, EPDM: 98 % (198)98 %Oxidising agents and halogensOxidising agents and halogens, PMP: 67 % (30)67 %Oxidising agents and halogens, EPDM: 65 % (62)65 %Alcohols and glycolsAlcohols and glycols, PMP: 96 % (28)96 %Alcohols and glycols, EPDM: 53 % (58)53 %Ketones and aldehydesKetones and aldehydes, PMP: 37 % (27)37 %Ketones and aldehydes, EPDM: 31 % (35)31 %Esters and ethersEsters and ethers, PMP: 36 % (42)36 %Esters and ethers, EPDM: 25 % (72)25 %Amines and nitrogen compoundsAmines and nitrogen compounds, PMP: 50 % (10)50 %Amines and nitrogen compounds, EPDM: 33 % (39)33 %Aromatic hydrocarbonsAromatic hydrocarbons, PMP: 10 % (10)10 %Aromatic hydrocarbons, EPDM: 0 % (14)0 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbonsFuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, PMP: 30 % (37)30 %Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, EPDM: 1 % (78)1 %Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oilsVegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, PMP: 29 % (14)29 %Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, EPDM: 4 % (48)4 %Halogenated hydrocarbonsHalogenated hydrocarbons, PMP: 3 % (33)3 %Halogenated hydrocarbons, EPDM: 23 % (71)23 %Foods and beveragesFoods and beverages, PMP: 100 % (13)100 %Foods and beverages, EPDM: 93 % (46)93 %
PMPEPDM
Rating at 20 °C. Only classes with at least 8 rated rows for both materials are shown.

How often the two ratings agree

PMP, EPDM: How often the two ratings agreePMP A, EPDM A: 149; PMP A, EPDM B: 15; PMP A, EPDM C: 44; PMP A, EPDM D: 20; PMP B, EPDM A: 1; PMP B, EPDM B: 2; PMP B, EPDM C: 9; PMP B, EPDM D: 14; PMP C, EPDM B: 1; PMP C, EPDM C: 4; PMP C, EPDM D: 25; PMP D, EPDM A: 9; PMP D, EPDM B: 2; PMP D, EPDM C: 26; PMP D, EPDM D: 95.EPDMABCDPMPAPMP A, EPDM A: 149149PMP A, EPDM B: 1515PMP A, EPDM C: 4444PMP A, EPDM D: 2020BPMP B, EPDM A: 11PMP B, EPDM B: 22PMP B, EPDM C: 99PMP B, EPDM D: 1414CPMP C, EPDM A: 00PMP C, EPDM B: 11PMP C, EPDM C: 44PMP C, EPDM D: 2525DPMP D, EPDM A: 99PMP D, EPDM B: 22PMP D, EPDM C: 2626PMP D, EPDM D: 9595
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 classPMP: rated A or BEPDM: rated A or B
Mineral acids71 % (35 rows)40 % (63 rows)
Organic acids85 % (26 rows)47 % (64 rows)
Alkalis100 % (17 rows)100 % (22 rows)
Salts and salt solutions100 % (67 rows)98 % (198 rows)
Oxidising agents and halogens67 % (30 rows)65 % (62 rows)
Alcohols and glycols96 % (28 rows)53 % (58 rows)
Phenols–7 % (14 rows)
Ketones and aldehydes37 % (27 rows)31 % (35 rows)
Esters and ethers36 % (42 rows)25 % (72 rows)
Amines and nitrogen compounds50 % (10 rows)33 % (39 rows)
Aromatic hydrocarbons10 % (10 rows)0 % (14 rows)
Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons30 % (37 rows)1 % (78 rows)
Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils29 % (14 rows)4 % (48 rows)
Halogenated hydrocarbons3 % (33 rows)23 % (71 rows)
Foods and beverages100 % (13 rows)93 % (46 rows)

Where the ratings differ most

Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 89 in total, the first 40 shown.

ChemicalConcentrationPMPEPDM
Acetic Acid50 %AD
Acetic Acid90 %AD
AcetophenoneDA
Benzoyl Chloride100 %DA
Butanetechnical gradeAD
ChloroacetoneDA
Chromic Acid10 %AD
CinnamaldehydeDA
Crotonaldehydetechnical gradeDA
Cyclohexanoltechnical gradeAD
Dipropylene GlycolAD
Fats, Cooking OilsAD
Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide)aqueousDA
Linseed Oiltechnical gradeAD
Methoxyethyl OleateAD
Methyl Butyl KetoneDA
Mineral OilAD
NaphthaAD
n-OctaneAD
Paraffins100 %AD
Petroleum Ethertechnical gradeAD
Phenol10 %AD
Phenol100 %AD
Sulfur DioxideliquidDA
Sulfuric Acid60 %AD
Sulfuric Acid80 %AD
Town Gas (Benzene-free)AD
Transformer OilAD
Vinyl Acetatetechnical gradeDA
1,4-DichlorobenzeneBD
AnilineBD
Anisole100 %BD
BenzaldehydeAC
BenzeneBD
Benzoic AcidsaturatedAC
Benzyl AcetateAC
Bitter Almond OilAC
Butyl Acrylate100 %BD
Castor Oil100 %AC
Chloroacetic AcidAC

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is PMP or EPDM more chemical-resistant?

Of 416 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PMP and EPDM share the same rating in 250 rows (60 %). PMP is rated better in 127 rows and EPDM in 39 rows.

How do PMP and EPDM compare for chemical resistance?

Based on 416 chemicals tested for both: PMP is rated better with Alcohols and glycols, Organic acids, Mineral acids, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons. EPDM is rated better with Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens, Ketones and aldehydes.

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.