Summary
- PVC Flexible is rated better with
- Alkalis (+45 points)
- Viton (FPM) is rated better with
- Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+73 points); Alcohols and glycols (+61 points); Mineral acids (+42 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+33 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+30 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+24 points); Esters and ethers (+11 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Organic acids; Salts and salt solutions; Ketones and aldehydes; 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 %
Viton (FPM)
Fluoroelastomer (FKM/FPM)
Fluoroelastomer (Viton, FKM/FPM) resists fuels, oils and many acids. Ketones, esters, amines and hot water or steam attack it.
Rated rows: 965. A 57 %, B 10 %, C 18 %, D 15 %
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 | Viton (FPM): rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 41 % (27 rows) | 83 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 60 % (25 rows) | 62 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (11 rows) | 55 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 96 % (81 rows) | 88 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 47 % (17 rows) | 77 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 8 % (26 rows) | 69 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 29 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 0 % (9 rows) | 6 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 4 % (25 rows) | 15 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 0 % (12 rows) | 24 % (37 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | – | 64 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 17 % (23 rows) | 90 % (71 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | – | 83 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 0 % (31 rows) | 33 % (70 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: 98 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Flexible | Viton (FPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1-Ethylhexanol | D | A | |
| Acetylene | 100 % | D | A |
| Aluminum Acetate Solution | saturated | A | D |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | D | A |
| Butanetriol | 100 % | D | A |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chloramine-T | dilute | A | D |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Chromic-Sulfuric Acid | concentrated | D | A |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Formic Acid | 98-100 % | A | D |
| Iodine Tincture | D | A | |
| Iodoform | 100 % | D | A |
| Isooctane | technical grade | D | A |
| Isopropanol | technical grade | D | A |
| n-Heptane | D | A | |
| n-Hexane | D | A | |
| Naphtha | D | A | |
| Naphthalene | 100 % | D | A |
| Nitroglycerin | dilute | D | A |
| Nitroglycol | dilute | D | A |
| Oleum (Fuming Sulfuric Acid) | 10 % SO3 | D | A |
| Perchloric Acid | 70 % | D | A |
| Phosphorus Oxychloride | D | A | |
| Phosphorus Oxychloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Picric Acid | 1 % aqueous | D | A |
| Potassium Cyanide | saturated | D | A |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 30 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 50 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | concentrated | A | D |
| Propene | D | A | |
| Sodium Chlorite | dilute | D | A |
| Sulfuric Acid | fuming | D | A |
| Sulfuryl Chloride | technical grade | D | A |
| Tetrabromoethane | 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 Viton (FPM) more chemical-resistant?
Of 343 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Flexible and Viton (FPM) share the same rating in 192 rows (56 %). PVC Flexible is rated better in 22 rows and Viton (FPM) in 129 rows.
How do PVC Flexible and Viton (FPM) compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 343 chemicals tested for both: PVC Flexible is rated better with Alkalis. Viton (FPM) is rated better with Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Alcohols and glycols, Mineral acids, Halogenated hydrocarbons. They perform similarly with Organic acids, Salts and salt solutions, Ketones and aldehydes, 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.