Summary
- Viton (FPM) is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+64 points); Mineral acids (+51 points); Alkalis (+37 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+35 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+33 points); Phenols (+15 points); Esters and ethers (+14 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+11 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+11 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Organic acids; Salts and salt solutions; Alcohols and glycols; Ketones and aldehydes; 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
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 %
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 | Polycarbonate: rated A or B | Viton (FPM): rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 32 % (59 rows) | 83 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 54 % (63 rows) | 62 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 18 % (22 rows) | 55 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 91 % (197 rows) | 88 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 66 % (61 rows) | 77 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 72 % (57 rows) | 69 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 14 % (14 rows) | 29 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 14 % (35 rows) | 6 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 1 % (69 rows) | 15 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 13 % (38 rows) | 24 % (37 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (14 rows) | 64 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 55 % (75 rows) | 90 % (71 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 73 % (48 rows) | 83 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (70 rows) | 33 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 91 % (46 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 181 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polycarbonate | Viton (FPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Alanine | D | A | |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | D | A |
| Benzoic Acid | aqueous | D | A |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Butylene Glycol | technical grade | A | D |
| Calcium Acetate | aqueous | A | D |
| Calcium Hydroxide | concentrated | D | A |
| Calcium Hydroxide | aqueous | D | A |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrabromide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chloramine-T | dilute | A | D |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chlorine Water | D | A | |
| Chlorotoluene | D | A | |
| Chromic-Sulfuric Acid | concentrated | D | A |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Cumene | D | A | |
| Cymene | D | A | |
| Decahydronaphthalene | D | A | |
| Hexachlorobutadiene | D | A | |
| Hexachlorocyclohexane | D | A | |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 40 % | D | A |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Hydrobromic Acid | dilute | D | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 35 % | D | A |
| Hydrochloric Acid | concentrated | D | A |
| Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) | technical grade | D | A |
| Hydrocyanic Acid (Hydrogen Cyanide) | aqueous | D | A |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Isopropyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Kerosene | D | A | |
| Nitric Acid | 50 % | 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 Viton (FPM) more chemical-resistant?
Of 943 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polycarbonate and Viton (FPM) share the same rating in 404 rows (43 %). Polycarbonate is rated better in 119 rows and Viton (FPM) in 420 rows.
How do Polycarbonate and Viton (FPM) compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 943 chemicals tested for both: Polycarbonate is rated better with –. Viton (FPM) is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Mineral acids, Alkalis, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Organic acids, Salts and salt solutions, Alcohols and glycols, 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.