Summary
- PP is rated better with
- Alkalis (+36 points)
- PVDF is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+86 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+68 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+34 points); Mineral acids (+17 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+15 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+13 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Organic acids; Salts and salt solutions; Alcohols and glycols; Phenols; Ketones and aldehydes; Esters and ethers; Amines and nitrogen compounds; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
PP
Polypropylene
Polypropylene resists most acids, alkalis and salt solutions. Concentrated oxidising acids, chlorinated solvents and aromatic hydrocarbons attack it, and it turns brittle below about 0 °C.
Rated rows: 978. A 66 %, B 11 %, C 15 %, D 8 %
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 | PP: rated A or B | PVDF: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 70 % (63 rows) | 87 % (61 rows) |
| Organic acids | 97 % (64 rows) | 94 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 99 % (198 rows) | 99 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 72 % (61 rows) | 87 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 93 % (59 rows) | 98 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 79 % (14 rows) | 71 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 69 % (35 rows) | 62 % (34 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 63 % (71 rows) | 64 % (66 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 79 % (39 rows) | 76 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 14 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 63 % (78 rows) | 97 % (72 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 75 % (48 rows) | 88 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 4 % (70 rows) | 72 % (54 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (46 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 143 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PP | PVDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dibromoethane | D | A | |
| 1,3-Butadiene | D | A | |
| 1-Chloronaphthalene | D | A | |
| Acetic Anhydride | technical grade | A | D |
| Allyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Bromine | D | A | |
| Bromine Vapors | D | A | |
| Bromine Water | saturated | D | A |
| Bromobenzene | D | A | |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | D | A |
| Butene | technical grade | D | A |
| Butyric Acid | D | A | |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chloric Acid | 10 % | D | A |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Chloroethanol | technical grade | D | A |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | D | A |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Furfural | D | A | |
| Nitric Acid | 66 % | D | A |
| Nitric Acid | 70 % | D | A |
| Oleum Vapors | low concentration | D | A |
| Perchloric Acid | 70 % | D | A |
| Perchloroethylene (PCE) | D | A | |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 1 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 30 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 45 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 50 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 60 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | concentrated | A | D |
| Sulfur Chloride | D | A | |
| Sulfur Trioxide Exhaust Gases | low concentration | D | A |
| Tetrahydronaphthalene | technical grade | D | A |
| Trichloroacetaldehyde | 100 % | A | 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 PP or PVDF more chemical-resistant?
Of 940 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PP and PVDF share the same rating in 621 rows (66 %). PP is rated better in 113 rows and PVDF in 206 rows.
How do PP and PVDF compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 940 chemicals tested for both: PP is rated better with Alkalis. PVDF is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Mineral acids. They perform similarly with Organic acids, Salts and salt solutions, Alcohols and glycols, Phenols.
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.