Summary
- Polysulfone is rated better with
- Alkalis (+36 points)
- PVDF is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+88 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+76 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+58 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+48 points); Esters and ethers (+38 points); Mineral acids (+34 points); Organic acids (+25 points); Alcohols and glycols (+24 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+22 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+20 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
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 %
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 | Polysulfone: rated A or B | PVDF: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 53 % (34 rows) | 87 % (61 rows) |
| Organic acids | 69 % (26 rows) | 94 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (15 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (49 rows) | 99 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 67 % (15 rows) | 87 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 74 % (31 rows) | 98 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 71 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 14 % (14 rows) | 62 % (34 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 26 % (23 rows) | 64 % (66 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 0 % (8 rows) | 76 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 12 % (8 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 75 % (24 rows) | 97 % (72 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | – | 88 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 14 % (22 rows) | 72 % (54 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (9 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 95 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polysulfone | PVDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Acetamide | saturated | D | A |
| Acetonitrile | D | A | |
| Alanine | D | A | |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Bromine | D | A | |
| Bromobenzene | D | A | |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride) | D | A | |
| Chloroform | 100 % | D | A |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | D | A |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | D | A |
| Chromic Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Cyclohexane | D | A | |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | D | A |
| Decahydronaphthalene | D | A | |
| Dichloromethane | D | A | |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Ethylbenzene | D | A | |
| Ethylene Dichloride | D | A | |
| Furfuryl Alcohol | technical grade | D | A |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 70 % | D | A |
| Methoxyethyl Oleate | D | A | |
| Nitric Acid | 66 % | D | A |
| Nitric Acid | 70 % | D | A |
| Nitrobenzene | D | A | |
| Perchloric Acid | 70 % | 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 PVDF more chemical-resistant?
Of 301 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polysulfone and PVDF share the same rating in 153 rows (51 %). Polysulfone is rated better in 22 rows and PVDF in 126 rows.
How do Polysulfone and PVDF compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 301 chemicals tested for both: Polysulfone is rated better with Alkalis. PVDF is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Ketones and aldehydes. 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.