Summary
- PVC Flexible is rated better with
- Alkalis (+36 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+32 points); Mineral acids (+28 points); Organic acids (+23 points); Salts and salt solutions (+14 points)
- NBR is rated better with
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+42 points); Alcohols and glycols (+37 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+20 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+13 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Ketones and aldehydes; Esters and ethers; 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 %
NBR
Nitrile butadiene rubber
Nitrile rubber resists mineral oils and fuels. Ketones, esters, chlorinated solvents, strong oxidisers and ozone attack it.
Rated rows: 983. A 36 %, B 9 %, C 19 %, D 36 %
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 | NBR: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 41 % (27 rows) | 13 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 60 % (25 rows) | 37 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (11 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 96 % (81 rows) | 82 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 47 % (17 rows) | 15 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 8 % (26 rows) | 45 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 0 % (9 rows) | 9 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 4 % (25 rows) | 1 % (76 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 0 % (12 rows) | 13 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | – | 7 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 17 % (23 rows) | 59 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | – | 69 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (31 rows) | 20 % (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: 75 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Flexible | NBR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Ethylhexanol | D | A | |
| Acetylene | 100 % | D | A |
| Ammonium Carbonate | 50 % | A | D |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | A | D | |
| Butanetriol | 100 % | D | A |
| Butanol | technical grade | D | A |
| Butyl Stearate | 100 % | A | D |
| Calcium Nitrate | 50 % | A | D |
| Camphor | D | A | |
| Camphor Oil | D | A | |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Copper(II) Nitrate | saturated | A | D |
| Creosote | D | A | |
| Formic Acid | 98-100 % | A | D |
| Isooctane | technical grade | D | A |
| Maleic Acid | saturated | A | D |
| n-Heptane | D | A | |
| n-Hexane | D | A | |
| Phosphoric Acid | 85 % | A | D |
| Potassium Persulfate | any concentration | A | D |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) | 12,5 % Cl | A | D |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) | dilute | A | D |
| Sulfuric Acid | 40 % | A | D |
| Sulfuric Acid | 80 % | A | D |
| Trifluorotrichloroethane | 100 % | D | A |
| Viscose Spinning Solution | A | D | |
| Acetic Acid | 10 % | A | C |
| Aluminum Acetate Solution | saturated | A | C |
| Aluminum Hydroxide Acetate | aqueous | A | C |
| Arsenic Acid | C | A | |
| Arsenic Acid | aqueous | C | A |
| Benzoic Acid | saturated | A | C |
| Butane | technical grade | C | A |
| Calcium Chloride | alcoholic solution | D | B |
| Castor Oil | 100 % | C | A |
| Cetyl Alcohol | 100 % | C | A |
| Chloric Acid | 1 % | A | C |
| Developer Fluids | A | C | |
| Diesel Fuel | 100 % | C | 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 NBR more chemical-resistant?
Of 344 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Flexible and NBR share the same rating in 215 rows (62 %). PVC Flexible is rated better in 77 rows and NBR in 52 rows.
How do PVC Flexible and NBR compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 344 chemicals tested for both: PVC Flexible is rated better with Alkalis, Oxidising agents and halogens, Mineral acids, Organic acids. NBR is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Alcohols and glycols, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Amines and nitrogen compounds. They perform similarly with Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, 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.