Summary
- Polystyrene is rated better with
- Alkalis (+45 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+23 points); Salts and salt solutions (+12 points); Organic acids (+12 points)
- Viton (FPM) is rated better with
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+66 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+64 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+35 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+33 points); Mineral acids (+32 points); Foods and beverages (+27 points); Esters and ethers (+12 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Oxidising agents and halogens; Alcohols and glycols; Phenols; Ketones and aldehydes
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
Polystyrene
Polystyrene
Polystyrene is attacked by most organic solvents, including ketones, esters, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons. It is used for dilute aqueous solutions.
Rated rows: 504. A 45 %, B 8 %, C 8 %, D 39 %
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 | Polystyrene: rated A or B | Viton (FPM): rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 51 % (41 rows) | 83 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 74 % (34 rows) | 62 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (17 rows) | 55 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (88 rows) | 88 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 71 % (34 rows) | 77 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 64 % (36 rows) | 69 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 22 % (9 rows) | 29 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 5 % (21 rows) | 6 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 3 % (38 rows) | 15 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 47 % (15 rows) | 24 % (37 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (13 rows) | 64 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 24 % (38 rows) | 90 % (71 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 48 % (27 rows) | 83 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (36 rows) | 33 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 69 % (32 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 134 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polystyrene | Viton (FPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Acetamide | saturated | A | D |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Benzyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | D | A |
| Butane | technical grade | D | A |
| Caraway | ground | D | A |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrabromide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Cardamom | D | A | |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chlorine Water | D | A | |
| Chromic-Sulfuric Acid | concentrated | D | A |
| Cinnamaldehyde | D | A | |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Cumene | D | A | |
| Cyclohexane | D | A | |
| Cymene | D | A | |
| Decahydronaphthalene | D | A | |
| Diethylbenzene | D | A | |
| Ginger | ground | D | A |
| Hexachlorobutadiene | D | A | |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 40 % | D | A |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Hydrobromic Acid | dilute | D | A |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Isopropyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Kerosene | D | A | |
| Menthol | solid | D | A |
| n-Heptane | D | A | |
| n-Hexane | D | A | |
| Nitric Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Nitric Acid | 66 % | D | A |
| n-Octane | D | A | |
| Oleum (Fuming Sulfuric Acid) | 10 % SO3 | 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 Polystyrene or Viton (FPM) more chemical-resistant?
Of 498 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polystyrene and Viton (FPM) share the same rating in 255 rows (51 %). Polystyrene is rated better in 64 rows and Viton (FPM) in 179 rows.
How do Polystyrene and Viton (FPM) compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 498 chemicals tested for both: Polystyrene is rated better with Alkalis, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Salts and salt solutions, Organic acids. Viton (FPM) is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Aromatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Oxidising agents and halogens, Alcohols and glycols, Phenols, 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.