Summary
- PVDF is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+100 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+72 points); Esters and ethers (+63 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+63 points); Phenols (+57 points); Mineral acids (+55 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+48 points); Alkalis (+46 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+42 points); Organic acids (+40 points); Alcohols and glycols (+26 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+21 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+15 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Salts and salt solutions; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is attacked by alkalis, amines, ketones, esters and many organic solvents, and it stress-cracks under load in contact with them.
Rated rows: 953. A 28 %, B 25 %, C 24 %, D 23 %
PVDF
Polyvinylidene fluoride
PVDF resists acids, halogens and hydrocarbons. Strong bases, amines, ketones and esters attack it. Service temperature is up to about 150 °C.
Rated rows: 944. A 73 %, B 15 %, C 10 %, D 2 %
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 | Polycarbonate: rated A or B | PVDF: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 32 % (59 rows) | 87 % (61 rows) |
| Organic acids | 54 % (63 rows) | 94 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 18 % (22 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 91 % (197 rows) | 99 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 66 % (61 rows) | 87 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 72 % (57 rows) | 98 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 14 % (14 rows) | 71 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 14 % (35 rows) | 62 % (34 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 1 % (69 rows) | 64 % (66 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 13 % (38 rows) | 76 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 55 % (75 rows) | 97 % (72 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 73 % (48 rows) | 88 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (70 rows) | 72 % (54 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 91 % (46 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 256 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polycarbonate | PVDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dibromoethane | D | A | |
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Acetamide | saturated | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 100 % | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | D | A |
| Acetonitrile | D | A | |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Acetyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Alanine | D | A | |
| Allspice | ground | D | A |
| Allyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Ammonium Bifluoride | 50 % | D | A |
| Ammonium Fluoride | saturated | D | A |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | D | A | |
| Ammonium Sulfide | any concentration | D | A |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | D | A |
| Benzoic Acid | aqueous | D | A |
| Benzoyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Bromine | D | A | |
| Bromine Water | saturated | D | A |
| Bromobenzene | D | A | |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyric Acid | D | A | |
| Calcium Hydroxide | concentrated | D | A |
| Calcium Hydroxide | aqueous | D | A |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chlorine Water | 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 Polycarbonate or PVDF more chemical-resistant?
Of 926 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polycarbonate and PVDF share the same rating in 333 rows (36 %). Polycarbonate is rated better in 16 rows and PVDF in 577 rows.
How do Polycarbonate and PVDF compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 926 chemicals tested for both: Polycarbonate is rated better with –. PVDF is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers, Amines and nitrogen compounds. They perform similarly with Salts and salt solutions, 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.