Summary
- PTFE is rated better with
- Ketones and aldehydes (+100 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+100 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+100 points); Esters and ethers (+96 points); Alcohols and glycols (+92 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+83 points); Mineral acids (+59 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+53 points); Organic acids (+40 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
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 %
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 %
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 | PTFE: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 41 % (27 rows) | 100 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 60 % (25 rows) | 100 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (11 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 96 % (81 rows) | 100 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 47 % (17 rows) | 100 % (63 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 8 % (26 rows) | 100 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 0 % (9 rows) | 100 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 4 % (25 rows) | 100 % (74 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 0 % (12 rows) | 100 % (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) | 100 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 93 % (14 rows) | 100 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 185 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Flexible | PTFE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1-Ethylhexanol | D | A | |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | D | A |
| Acetic Anhydride | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Acetylene | 100 % | D | A |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Alcohol | 96 % | D | A |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Aqua Regia | D | A | |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Bromine | D | A | |
| Bromochloromethane | 100 % | D | A |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | 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 | |
| Calcium Chloride | alcoholic solution | D | A |
| Camphor | D | A | |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chloral Hydrate | technical grade | D | A |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Chlorodifluoromethane | D | A | |
| Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride) | D | A | |
| Chloroform | 100 % | D | A |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | D | A |
| Chlorosulfonic Acid | technical grade | 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 PTFE more chemical-resistant?
Of 343 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Flexible and PTFE share the same rating in 154 rows (45 %). PVC Flexible is rated better in 0 rows and PTFE in 189 rows.
How do PVC Flexible and PTFE compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 343 chemicals tested for both: PVC Flexible is rated better with –. PTFE is rated better with Ketones and aldehydes, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Esters and ethers. 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.