Summary
- PTFE is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+100 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+88 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+86 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+86 points); Esters and ethers (+74 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 %
PTFE
Polytetrafluoroethylene
PTFE is resistant to almost every chemical in this list. The known exceptions are molten alkali metals, elemental fluorine and some fluorinating agents at elevated temperature.
Rated rows: 981. A 98 %, B 2 %, 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 | PTFE: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 53 % (34 rows) | 100 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 69 % (26 rows) | 100 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (15 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (49 rows) | 100 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 67 % (15 rows) | 100 % (63 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 74 % (31 rows) | 100 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 14 % (14 rows) | 100 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 26 % (23 rows) | 100 % (74 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 0 % (8 rows) | 100 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 12 % (8 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 75 % (24 rows) | 100 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | – | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 14 % (22 rows) | 100 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (9 rows) | 100 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 119 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polysulfone | PTFE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | D | A |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetamide | saturated | D | A |
| Acetic Anhydride | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetone | D | A | |
| Acetonitrile | D | A | |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Alanine | D | A | |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Aqua Regia | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Benzyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Bromine | D | A | |
| Bromobenzene | D | A | |
| Bromoform | D | A | |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chlorine | 10 % wet | D | A |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Chlorodifluoromethane | D | A | |
| Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride) | D | A | |
| Chloroform | 100 % | D | A |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | D | A |
| Chlorosulfonic Acid | technical grade | D | A |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | D | A |
| Chromic Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Cumene | 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 PTFE more chemical-resistant?
Of 303 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polysulfone and PTFE share the same rating in 155 rows (51 %). Polysulfone is rated better in 0 rows and PTFE in 148 rows.
How do Polysulfone and PTFE compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 303 chemicals tested for both: Polysulfone is rated better with –. PTFE is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds, Aromatic hydrocarbons, Ketones and aldehydes, Halogenated hydrocarbons. 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.