Summary
- PVC Flexible is rated better with
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+16 points); Organic acids (+13 points)
- EPDM is rated better with
- Alcohols and glycols (+45 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+33 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+31 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+23 points); Esters and ethers (+21 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+18 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Mineral acids; Alkalis; Salts and salt solutions; 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 %
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 | PVC Flexible: rated A or B | EPDM: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 41 % (27 rows) | 40 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 60 % (25 rows) | 47 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (11 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 96 % (81 rows) | 98 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 47 % (17 rows) | 65 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 8 % (26 rows) | 53 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 7 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 0 % (9 rows) | 31 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 4 % (25 rows) | 25 % (72 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 0 % (12 rows) | 33 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | – | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 17 % (23 rows) | 1 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | – | 4 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (31 rows) | 23 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 93 % (14 rows) | 93 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 73 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Flexible | EPDM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Ethylhexanol | D | A | |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Acetylene | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Alcohol | 96 % | D | A |
| Butanetriol | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Stearate | 100 % | A | D |
| Chlorodifluoromethane | D | A | |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Cyclohexane | A | D | |
| Ethylenediamine | technical grade | D | A |
| Iodoform | 100 % | D | A |
| Isopropanol | technical grade | D | A |
| Linseed Oil | technical grade | A | D |
| Lubricating Oil | A | D | |
| Maleic Acid | saturated | A | D |
| Methylamine | 32 % | D | A |
| Nitroglycerin | dilute | D | A |
| Nitroglycol | dilute | D | A |
| Paraffins | 100 % | A | D |
| Petroleum Oil | A | D | |
| Phosphorus Oxychloride | D | A | |
| Phosphorus Oxychloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Phosphorus Trichloride | D | A | |
| Potassium Cyanide | saturated | D | A |
| Sodium Chlorite | dilute | D | A |
| Sulfuric Acid | 80 % | A | D |
| Town Gas (Benzene-free) | A | D | |
| Vinyl Acetate | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 5 % | C | A |
| Arsenic Acid | C | A | |
| Arsenic Acid | aqueous | C | A |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | C | A |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | A | C |
| Brake Fluid | C | A | |
| Butanol | technical grade | D | B |
| Calcium Chloride | alcoholic solution | D | B |
| Cetyl Alcohol | 100 % | C | A |
| Chloric Acid | 1 % | A | C |
| Dioxane | D | B |
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 EPDM more chemical-resistant?
Of 344 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Flexible and EPDM share the same rating in 206 rows (60 %). PVC Flexible is rated better in 50 rows and EPDM in 88 rows.
How do PVC Flexible and EPDM compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 344 chemicals tested for both: PVC Flexible is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Organic acids. EPDM is rated better with Alcohols and glycols, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Ketones and aldehydes, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Mineral acids, 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.