Summary
- PTFE is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+100 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+99 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+96 points); Phenols (+93 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+77 points); Esters and ethers (+75 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+69 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+67 points); Mineral acids (+60 points); Organic acids (+53 points); Alcohols and glycols (+47 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+35 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; 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 %
EPDM
Ethylene propylene diene rubber
EPDM resists water, steam, alkalis, ketones and alcohols. Mineral oils, fuels and aromatic solvents swell it severely.
Rated rows: 976. A 44 %, B 9 %, C 20 %, D 28 %
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 | EPDM: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 100 % (63 rows) | 40 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 100 % (64 rows) | 47 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (198 rows) | 98 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 100 % (63 rows) | 65 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 100 % (58 rows) | 53 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 100 % (14 rows) | 7 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 100 % (35 rows) | 31 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 100 % (74 rows) | 25 % (72 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 100 % (39 rows) | 33 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (14 rows) | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (78 rows) | 1 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 100 % (48 rows) | 4 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 100 % (70 rows) | 23 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (46 rows) | 93 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 462 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PTFE | EPDM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dibromoethane | A | D | |
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | A | D | |
| 1,3-Butadiene | A | D | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | A | D | |
| 1-Chloronaphthalene | A | D | |
| 1-Heptanol | A | D | |
| 1-Pentanethiol | A | D | |
| Acetic Acid | 100 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Acetyl Chloride | 100 % | A | D |
| Acrylonitrile | A | D | |
| Almond Oil | A | D | |
| Amyl Chloride | A | D | |
| Amyl Cinnamaldehyde | A | D | |
| Aniline | A | D | |
| Anise Oil | A | D | |
| Anisole | 100 % | A | D |
| Aqua Regia | A | D | |
| Aviation Fuels (JP) | A | D | |
| Beef Tallow | A | D | |
| Beef Tallow Emulsion | sulfuriert | A | D |
| Benzene | A | D | |
| Benzenesulfonic Acid | saturated | A | D |
| Benzyl Benzoate | A | D | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | A | D |
| Bitter Orange Oil | A | D | |
| Bitumen | A | D | |
| Bone Oil | A | D | |
| Bromic Acid | concentrated | A | D |
| Bromine | A | D | |
| Bromine Vapors | A | D | |
| Bromine Water | saturated | A | D |
| Bromobenzene | A | D | |
| Bromochloromethane | 100 % | A | D |
| Bromoform | A | D | |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | A | D |
| Butane | technical grade | A | D |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | A | D |
| Butyl Stearate | 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 PTFE or EPDM more chemical-resistant?
Of 973 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PTFE and EPDM share the same rating in 426 rows (44 %). PTFE is rated better in 546 rows and EPDM in 1 rows.
How do PTFE and EPDM compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 973 chemicals tested for both: PTFE is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils, Phenols. EPDM is rated better with –. They perform similarly with Alkalis, 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.