Summary
- PMP is rated better with
- Alkalis (+45 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+31 points); Alcohols and glycols (+27 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+26 points); Organic acids (+23 points); Esters and ethers (+21 points); Salts and salt solutions (+12 points)
- Viton (FPM) is rated better with
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+60 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+54 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+54 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+30 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
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 %
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 | PMP: rated A or B | Viton (FPM): rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 71 % (35 rows) | 83 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 85 % (26 rows) | 62 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (17 rows) | 55 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (67 rows) | 88 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 67 % (30 rows) | 77 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 96 % (28 rows) | 69 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 29 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 37 % (27 rows) | 6 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 36 % (42 rows) | 15 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 50 % (10 rows) | 24 % (37 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 10 % (10 rows) | 64 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 30 % (37 rows) | 90 % (71 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 29 % (14 rows) | 83 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 3 % (33 rows) | 33 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (13 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 126 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PMP | Viton (FPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetamide | saturated | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Acetyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Alcohol | 96 % | A | D |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Benzaldehyde | A | D | |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Bitter Almond Oil | A | D | |
| Brake Fluid | A | D | |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chlorine Water | D | A | |
| Chlorotoluene | D | A | |
| Chromic-Sulfuric Acid | concentrated | D | A |
| Cinnamaldehyde | D | A | |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Cumene | D | A | |
| Cyclohexane | D | A | |
| Cyclohexanol | technical grade | A | D |
| Cymene | D | A | |
| Decahydronaphthalene | D | A | |
| Diethyl Malonate | A | D | |
| Diethylbenzene | D | A | |
| Diisobutylene | D | A | |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| DL-Limonene | D | A | |
| Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate | A | D | |
| Ethylenediamine | technical grade | A | D |
| Formic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Formic Acid | 98-100 % | A | D |
| Hexachlorobutadiene | D | A | |
| Hexene | D | A | |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 40 % | D | A |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Hydrobromic Acid | dilute | D | A |
| Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) | aqueous | 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 PMP or Viton (FPM) more chemical-resistant?
Of 412 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PMP and Viton (FPM) share the same rating in 207 rows (50 %). PMP is rated better in 101 rows and Viton (FPM) in 104 rows.
How do PMP and Viton (FPM) compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 412 chemicals tested for both: PMP is rated better with Alkalis, Ketones and aldehydes, Alcohols and glycols, Amines and nitrogen compounds. Viton (FPM) is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Aromatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons. 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.