Summary
- PVC Flexible is rated better with
- Alkalis (+76 points); Salts and salt solutions (+44 points); Mineral acids (+25 points)
- Aluminium is rated better with
- Ketones and aldehydes (+97 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+95 points); Esters and ethers (+90 points); Alcohols and glycols (+90 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+83 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+27 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Organic acids; Oxidising agents and halogens; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
PVC Flexible
Flexible (plasticised) polyvinyl chloride
Flexible PVC shares the solvent weaknesses of rigid PVC, and any liquid that extracts the plasticiser also hardens it. It is generally less resistant than rigid PVC.
Rated rows: 344. A 45 %, B 1 %, C 17 %, D 37 %
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 | PVC Flexible: rated A or B | Aluminium: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 41 % (27 rows) | 16 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 60 % (25 rows) | 67 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (11 rows) | 24 % (21 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 96 % (81 rows) | 52 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 47 % (17 rows) | 45 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 8 % (26 rows) | 98 % (59 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 86 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 0 % (9 rows) | 97 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 4 % (25 rows) | 94 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 0 % (12 rows) | 95 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | – | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 17 % (23 rows) | 100 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | – | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (31 rows) | 27 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 93 % (14 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 190 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Flexible | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1-Ethylhexanol | D | A | |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | D | A |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Acetylene | 100 % | D | A |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Alcohol | 96 % | D | A |
| Allyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Aluminum Nitrate | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate | any concentration | A | D |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Butanetriol | 100 % | D | A |
| Butanol | technical grade | D | A |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Glycol | 100 % | D | A |
| Butylphenol | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyric Acid | D | A | |
| Camphor | D | A | |
| Camphor Oil | D | A | |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Copper Sulfate (Copper Vitriol) | aqueous | A | D |
| Copper(II) Chloride | saturated | A | D |
| Copper(II) Nitrate | saturated | A | D |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Cyclohexanol | technical grade | D | A |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | D | A |
| Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) | D | A | |
| Dibutyl Sebacate | technical grade | D | A |
| Dichloromethane | D | A | |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | D | A |
| Dimethyl Ether | gas | D | A |
| Dimethyl Phthalate (DMP) | 100 % | D | A |
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 PVC Flexible or Aluminium more chemical-resistant?
Of 342 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Flexible and Aluminium share the same rating in 99 rows (29 %). PVC Flexible is rated better in 81 rows and Aluminium in 162 rows.
How do PVC Flexible and Aluminium compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 342 chemicals tested for both: PVC Flexible is rated better with Alkalis, Salts and salt solutions, Mineral acids. Aluminium is rated better with Ketones and aldehydes, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Esters and ethers, Alcohols and glycols. They perform similarly with Organic acids, Oxidising agents and halogens, 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.