Summary
- PTFE is rated better with
- Ketones and aldehydes (+38 points); Esters and ethers (+36 points); Alkalis (+36 points); Phenols (+29 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+28 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+24 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+13 points); Mineral acids (+13 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+12 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Organic acids; Salts and salt solutions; Alcohols and glycols; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons; 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 %
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 | PTFE: rated A or B | PVDF: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 100 % (63 rows) | 87 % (61 rows) |
| Organic acids | 100 % (64 rows) | 94 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (22 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (198 rows) | 99 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 100 % (63 rows) | 87 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 100 % (58 rows) | 98 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 100 % (14 rows) | 71 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 100 % (35 rows) | 62 % (34 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 100 % (74 rows) | 64 % (66 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 100 % (39 rows) | 76 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (78 rows) | 97 % (72 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 100 % (48 rows) | 88 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 100 % (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: 102 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PTFE | PVDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | A | D |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | A | D |
| Acetic Anhydride | technical grade | A | D |
| Chloral Hydrate | technical grade | A | D |
| Chloroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Chromic-Sulfuric Acid | concentrated | A | D |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | A | D | |
| Fluorine | A | D | |
| Nitric Acid | 100 % | A | D |
| Oleum (Fuming Sulfuric Acid) | 10 % SO3 | A | D |
| 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 Dioxide | liquid | A | D |
| Sulfuric Acid | fuming | A | D |
| 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural | A | C | |
| Acetone | A | C | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | C | |
| Anise Oil | A | C | |
| Anisole | 100 % | A | C |
| Aqua Regia | A | C | |
| Benzyl Acetate | A | C | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | A | C |
| Brake Fluid | A | C | |
| Bromochloromethane | 100 % | A | C |
| Camphor | A | C | |
| Chloramine-T | dilute | A | C |
| Chlorine Trifluoride | B | D | |
| Chlorodifluoromethane | A | C | |
| Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) | A | C | |
| Chlorosulfonic Acid | technical grade | A | C |
| Creosote | A | C | |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) | A | C | |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) | technical grade | A | C |
| Dichlorofluoromethane | 100 % | A | C |
| Dichloroisopropyl Ether | A | C | |
| Diethyl Ketone | A | C |
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
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.