Summary
- PTFE is rated better with
- Mineral acids (+84 points); Alkalis (+76 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+73 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+55 points); Salts and salt solutions (+48 points); Organic acids (+33 points); Phenols (+14 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alcohols and glycols; Ketones and aldehydes; Esters and ethers; Amines and nitrogen compounds; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons; 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
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 %
Aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium relies on a thin oxide layer. Strong acids, strong alkalis and mercury compounds destroy that layer.
Rated rows: 968. A 60 %, B 9 %, C 16 %, D 16 %
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 | PTFE: rated A or B | Aluminium: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 100 % (63 rows) | 16 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 100 % (64 rows) | 67 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 24 % (21 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (198 rows) | 52 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 100 % (63 rows) | 45 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 100 % (58 rows) | 98 % (59 rows) |
| Phenols | 100 % (14 rows) | 86 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 100 % (35 rows) | 97 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 100 % (74 rows) | 94 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 100 % (39 rows) | 95 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (78 rows) | 100 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 100 % (48 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 100 % (70 rows) | 27 % (71 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: 299 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PTFE | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetyl Chloride | 100 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Chloride | 10 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Chloride | solid | A | D |
| Aluminum Chloride | saturated | A | D |
| Aluminum Nitrate | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate | any concentration | A | D |
| Ammonium Fluoride | saturated | A | D |
| Ammonium Fluoride | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Iron(II) Sulfate | A | D | |
| Ammonium Iron(III) Sulfate | saturated | A | D |
| Ammonium Persulfate | saturated | A | D |
| Ammonium Persulfate | aqueous | A | D |
| Aniline Hydrochloride | saturated | A | D |
| Antimony Trichloride | 90 % | A | D |
| Antimony Trichloride | aqueous | A | D |
| Aqua Regia | A | D | |
| Arsenic Acid | A | D | |
| Arsenic Acid | aqueous | A | D |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | A | D |
| Bismuth Chloride | A | D | |
| Bromic Acid | concentrated | A | D |
| Bromine | A | D | |
| Bromine Water | saturated | A | D |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | A | D |
| Cadmium Bromide | A | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | A | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | saturated | A | D |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | aqueous | A | D |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | aqueous | A | D |
| Caraway | ground | A | D |
| Chloral Hydrate | technical grade | A | D |
| Chloric Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Chloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Chlorine | 10 % wet | A | D |
| Chlorine Water | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | A | D |
| Chromic-Sulfuric Acid | concentrated | A | D |
| Copper Acetate | aqueous | 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 PTFE or Aluminium more chemical-resistant?
Of 963 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PTFE and Aluminium share the same rating in 571 rows (59 %). PTFE is rated better in 385 rows and Aluminium in 7 rows.
How do PTFE and Aluminium compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 963 chemicals tested for both: PTFE is rated better with Mineral acids, Alkalis, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Oxidising agents and halogens. Aluminium is rated better with –. They perform similarly with Alcohols and glycols, Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, Amines and nitrogen compounds.
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.