Summary
- Polysulfone is rated better with
- Alkalis (+45 points); Salts and salt solutions (+12 points); Esters and ethers (+11 points)
- Viton (FPM) is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+52 points); Mineral acids (+30 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+24 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+19 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+15 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Organic acids; Oxidising agents and halogens; Alcohols and glycols; Ketones and aldehydes; 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 %
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 | Polysulfone: rated A or B | Viton (FPM): rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 53 % (34 rows) | 83 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 69 % (26 rows) | 62 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (15 rows) | 55 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (49 rows) | 88 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 67 % (15 rows) | 77 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 74 % (31 rows) | 69 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 29 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 14 % (14 rows) | 6 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 26 % (23 rows) | 15 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 0 % (8 rows) | 24 % (37 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 12 % (8 rows) | 64 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 75 % (24 rows) | 90 % (71 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | – | 83 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 14 % (22 rows) | 33 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (9 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 78 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polysulfone | Viton (FPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Alanine | D | A | |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Benzyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chromic Acid | 10 % | D | A |
| Chromic Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Cumene | D | A | |
| Cyclohexane | D | A | |
| Cyclohexanol | technical grade | A | D |
| Decahydronaphthalene | D | A | |
| Diethylbenzene | D | A | |
| Ethyl Glycol | 100 % | A | D |
| Ethylene Oxide | A | D | |
| Isopropyl Ether | technical grade | A | D |
| Nitric Acid | 66 % | D | A |
| Oleum (Fuming Sulfuric Acid) | 10 % SO3 | D | A |
| Perchloric Acid | 70 % | D | A |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 30 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 50 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | concentrated | A | D |
| Propionic Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Sulfuric Acid | 95 % | D | A |
| Sulfuric Acid | fuming | D | A |
| Tetrahydronaphthalene | technical grade | D | A |
| Thionyl Chloride | technical grade | D | A |
| Trichloroethane | D | A | |
| Trichloroethylene (TCE) | 100 % | D | A |
| Turpentine Oil | D | A | |
| Xylene | D | A | |
| Acetic Acid | 10 % | A | C |
| Acetic Acid | 5 % | A | C |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | B | D |
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 Viton (FPM) more chemical-resistant?
Of 303 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polysulfone and Viton (FPM) share the same rating in 154 rows (51 %). Polysulfone is rated better in 64 rows and Viton (FPM) in 85 rows.
How do Polysulfone and Viton (FPM) compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 303 chemicals tested for both: Polysulfone is rated better with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, Esters and ethers. Viton (FPM) is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Mineral acids, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Organic acids, Oxidising agents and halogens, 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.