Summary
- ECTFE/ETFE is rated better with
- Halogenated hydrocarbons (+92 points); Esters and ethers (+90 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+89 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+77 points); Alcohols and glycols (+21 points); Mineral acids (+18 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+16 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+15 points); Organic acids (+13 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 Rigid
Rigid (unplasticised) polyvinyl chloride
Rigid PVC resists acids, alkalis and salt solutions well. Ketones, esters, aromatic and chlorinated solvents dissolve or swell it. Service temperature is limited to about 60 °C.
Rated rows: 569. A 62 %, B 8 %, C 9 %, D 21 %
ECTFE/ETFE
Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene / ethylene tetrafluoroethylene
ECTFE and ETFE are tough fluoropolymers with broad resistance. Hot amines and some chlorinated solvents at elevated temperature are their main limits.
Rated rows: 374. A 94 %, B 6 %, 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 Rigid: rated A or B | ECTFE/ETFE: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 82 % (56 rows) | 100 % (37 rows) |
| Organic acids | 87 % (45 rows) | 100 % (33 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (16 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (111 rows) | 100 % (114 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 85 % (39 rows) | 100 % (17 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 79 % (43 rows) | 100 % (25 rows) |
| Phenols | 38 % (8 rows) | – |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 11 % (18 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 5 % (39 rows) | 95 % (20 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 23 % (22 rows) | 100 % (9 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (9 rows) | – |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 84 % (38 rows) | 100 % (13 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 59 % (17 rows) | – |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 8 % (36 rows) | 100 % (16 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (23 rows) | 100 % (26 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 84 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Rigid | ECTFE/ETFE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Acetamide | saturated | D | A |
| Acetonitrile | D | A | |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Alanine | D | A | |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Aqua Regia | D | A | |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Benzyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Carbazole | D | A | |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride) | D | A | |
| Cinnamon Oil | D | A | |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Cumene | D | A | |
| Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) | D | A | |
| Diethyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Diethylbenzene | D | A | |
| Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) | D | A | |
| Ethyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Ethyl Benzoate | D | A | |
| Ethyl Butyrate | D | A | |
| Ethylene Dichloride | D | A | |
| Iodine Tincture | D | A | |
| Isopropyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Methoxyethyl Oleate | D | A | |
| Methyl Propyl Ketone (2-Pentanone) | D | A | |
| Nitrobenzene | D | A | |
| p-Chloroacetophenone | D | A | |
| Perchloroethylene (PCE) | D | A | |
| Phenol | 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 Rigid or ECTFE/ETFE more chemical-resistant?
Of 302 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Rigid and ECTFE/ETFE share the same rating in 173 rows (57 %). PVC Rigid is rated better in 6 rows and ECTFE/ETFE in 123 rows.
How do PVC Rigid and ECTFE/ETFE compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 302 chemicals tested for both: PVC Rigid is rated better with –. ECTFE/ETFE is rated better with Halogenated hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers, Ketones and aldehydes, Amines and nitrogen compounds. 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.