Summary
- PVC Flexible is rated better with
- Alkalis (+36 points)
- PVDF is rated better with
- Alcohols and glycols (+90 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+80 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+76 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+72 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+62 points); Esters and ethers (+60 points); Mineral acids (+46 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+40 points); Organic acids (+34 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- 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 %
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 | PVC Flexible: rated A or B | PVDF: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 41 % (27 rows) | 87 % (61 rows) |
| Organic acids | 60 % (25 rows) | 94 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (11 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 96 % (81 rows) | 99 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 47 % (17 rows) | 87 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 8 % (26 rows) | 98 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 71 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 0 % (9 rows) | 62 % (34 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 4 % (25 rows) | 64 % (66 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 0 % (12 rows) | 76 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | – | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 17 % (23 rows) | 97 % (72 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | – | 88 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (31 rows) | 72 % (54 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 93 % (14 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 152 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Flexible | PVDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1-Ethylhexanol | D | A | |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | D | A |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Acetylene | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Bromine | 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 |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride) | D | A | |
| Chloroform | 100 % | D | A |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | D | A |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Cyclohexanol | technical grade | D | A |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | D | A |
| Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) | D | A | |
| Dibutyl Sebacate | technical grade | D | A |
| Dichloroethylene | technical grade | D | A |
| Dichloromethane | D | A | |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Ethyl Glycol | 100 % | D | A |
| Ethylbenzene | D | A | |
| Ethylene Dichloride | 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 PVDF more chemical-resistant?
Of 344 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Flexible and PVDF share the same rating in 154 rows (45 %). PVC Flexible is rated better in 8 rows and PVDF in 182 rows.
How do PVC Flexible and PVDF compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 344 chemicals tested for both: PVC Flexible is rated better with Alkalis. PVDF is rated better with Alcohols and glycols, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with 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.