Summary
- PTFE is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+100 points); Esters and ethers (+95 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+92 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+89 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+77 points); Phenols (+62 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+41 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 %
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 Rigid: rated A or B | PTFE: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 82 % (56 rows) | 100 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 87 % (45 rows) | 100 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (16 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (111 rows) | 100 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 85 % (39 rows) | 100 % (63 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 79 % (43 rows) | 100 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 38 % (8 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 11 % (18 rows) | 100 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 5 % (39 rows) | 100 % (74 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 23 % (22 rows) | 100 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (9 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 84 % (38 rows) | 100 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 59 % (17 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 8 % (36 rows) | 100 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (23 rows) | 100 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 173 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Rigid | PTFE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | D | A |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetamide | saturated | D | A |
| Acetic Anhydride | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetone | D | A | |
| Acetonitrile | D | A | |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Alanine | D | A | |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Aqua Regia | D | A | |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Benzyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Bromobenzene | D | A | |
| Bromochloromethane | 100 % | D | A |
| Bromoform | D | A | |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | D | A |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Glycol | 100 % | 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 | |
| Chlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride) | D | A | |
| Chloroethanol | technical grade | D | A |
| Chloroform | 100 % | D | A |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | D | A |
| Cinnamon Oil | D | A | |
| Clophen A60 (PCB) | 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 PTFE more chemical-resistant?
Of 568 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Rigid and PTFE share the same rating in 352 rows (62 %). PVC Rigid is rated better in 0 rows and PTFE in 216 rows.
How do PVC Rigid and PTFE compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 568 chemicals tested for both: PVC Rigid is rated better with –. PTFE is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Ketones and aldehydes. 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.