Summary
- PP is rated better with
- Ketones and aldehydes (+63 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+55 points); Phenols (+50 points); Esters and ethers (+48 points); Alkalis (+45 points); Organic acids (+35 points); Alcohols and glycols (+24 points); Salts and salt solutions (+11 points)
- Viton (FPM) is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+50 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+29 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+27 points); Mineral acids (+13 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Oxidising agents and halogens; Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils; 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 %
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 | PP: rated A or B | Viton (FPM): rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 70 % (63 rows) | 83 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 97 % (64 rows) | 62 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 55 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 99 % (198 rows) | 88 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 72 % (61 rows) | 77 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 93 % (59 rows) | 69 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 79 % (14 rows) | 29 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 69 % (35 rows) | 6 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 63 % (71 rows) | 15 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 79 % (39 rows) | 24 % (37 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 14 % (14 rows) | 64 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 63 % (78 rows) | 90 % (71 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 75 % (48 rows) | 83 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 4 % (70 rows) | 33 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (46 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 260 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PP | Viton (FPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Chloronaphthalene | D | A | |
| Acetamide | saturated | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 100 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Acetic Anhydride | technical grade | A | D |
| Acetone | A | D | |
| Acetophenone | A | D | |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Acetate Solution | saturated | A | D |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Benzaldehyde | A | D | |
| Benzyl Alcohol | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Bitter Almond Oil | A | D | |
| Brake Fluid | A | D | |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | D | A |
| Butene | technical grade | D | A |
| Butylene Glycol | technical grade | A | D |
| Calcium Acetate | aqueous | A | D |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chromic-Sulfuric Acid | concentrated | D | A |
| Cyclohexanol | technical grade | A | D |
| Dibutyl Sebacate | technical grade | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | technical grade | A | D |
| Dicyclohexyl Phthalate | technical grade | A | D |
| Diethyl Malonate | A | D | |
| Diethylamine | technical grade | A | D |
| Diethylbenzene | D | A | |
| Diisobutyl Ketone | technical grade | A | D |
| Dimethylamine | technical grade | A | D |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Dinonyl Phthalate (DNP) | technical grade | A | D |
| Ethanolamine | A | D | |
| Ethyl Acetate | 100 % | A | D |
| Ethyl Chloroacetate | technical grade | 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 Viton (FPM) more chemical-resistant?
Of 959 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PP and Viton (FPM) share the same rating in 510 rows (53 %). PP is rated better in 298 rows and Viton (FPM) in 151 rows.
How do PP and Viton (FPM) compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 959 chemicals tested for both: PP is rated better with Ketones and aldehydes, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Phenols, Esters and ethers. Viton (FPM) is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Mineral acids. They perform similarly with Oxidising agents and halogens, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, 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.