Summary
- ECTFE/ETFE is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+100 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+86 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+86 points); Esters and ethers (+69 points); Mineral acids (+47 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+33 points); Organic acids (+31 points); Alcohols and glycols (+26 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+25 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
Polysulfone
Polysulfone
Polysulfone withstands hot water and steam. Ketones, esters and chlorinated and aromatic solvents attack it.
Rated rows: 303. A 51 %, B 10 %, C 10 %, D 30 %
ECTFE/ETFE
Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene / ethylene tetrafluoroethylene
ECTFE and ETFE are tough fluoropolymers with broad resistance. Hot amines and some chlorinated solvents at elevated temperature are their main limits.
Rated rows: 374. A 94 %, B 6 %, C 0 %, D 0 %
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 | Polysulfone: rated A or B | ECTFE/ETFE: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 53 % (34 rows) | 100 % (37 rows) |
| Organic acids | 69 % (26 rows) | 100 % (33 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (15 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (49 rows) | 100 % (114 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 67 % (15 rows) | 100 % (17 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 74 % (31 rows) | 100 % (25 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 14 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 26 % (23 rows) | 95 % (20 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 0 % (8 rows) | 100 % (9 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 12 % (8 rows) | – |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 75 % (24 rows) | 100 % (13 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 14 % (22 rows) | 100 % (16 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (9 rows) | 100 % (26 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 98 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polysulfone | ECTFE/ETFE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Acetamide | saturated | D | A |
| Acetonitrile | D | A | |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Alanine | D | A | |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Aqua Regia | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Benzyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Bromine | D | A | |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Carbazole | D | A | |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chlorine | 10 % wet | D | A |
| Chloroacetic Acid | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride) | D | A | |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | D | A |
| Chromic Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Cumene | D | A | |
| Cyclohexane | D | A | |
| Decahydronaphthalene | D | A | |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Diethylbenzene | D | A | |
| Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) | D | A | |
| Ethyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Ethyl Benzoate | D | A | |
| Ethyl Butyrate | D | A | |
| Ethylene Dichloride | D | A | |
| Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate | D | A | |
| Fluorine | D | A | |
| Isopropyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Methoxyethyl Oleate | 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 Polysulfone or ECTFE/ETFE more chemical-resistant?
Of 236 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polysulfone and ECTFE/ETFE share the same rating in 110 rows (47 %). Polysulfone is rated better in 1 rows and ECTFE/ETFE in 125 rows.
How do Polysulfone and ECTFE/ETFE compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 236 chemicals tested for both: Polysulfone is rated better with –. ECTFE/ETFE is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds, Ketones and aldehydes, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers. They perform similarly with Alkalis, 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.