Summary
- PVC Rigid is rated better with
- Alkalis (+36 points)
- PVDF is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+100 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+64 points); Esters and ethers (+59 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+53 points); Ketones and aldehydes (+51 points); Phenols (+33 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+29 points); Alcohols and glycols (+19 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+13 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Mineral acids; Organic acids; Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; 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 %
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 Rigid: rated A or B | PVDF: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 82 % (56 rows) | 87 % (61 rows) |
| Organic acids | 87 % (45 rows) | 94 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (16 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (111 rows) | 99 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 85 % (39 rows) | 87 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 79 % (43 rows) | 98 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 38 % (8 rows) | 71 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 11 % (18 rows) | 62 % (34 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 5 % (39 rows) | 64 % (66 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 23 % (22 rows) | 76 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (9 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 84 % (38 rows) | 97 % (72 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 59 % (17 rows) | 88 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 8 % (36 rows) | 72 % (54 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (23 rows) | 98 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 127 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Rigid | PVDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Acetamide | saturated | D | A |
| Acetonitrile | D | A | |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Alanine | D | A | |
| Allyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Aniline | D | A | |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Benzene | D | A | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Bromobenzene | D | A | |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | D | A |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Glycol | 100 % | 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 | |
| Chloroethanol | technical grade | D | A |
| Chloroform | 100 % | D | A |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | D | A |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Crotonaldehyde | technical grade | D | A |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | D | A |
| Dibutyl Ether | 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 |
| Diisobutyl Ketone | 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 Rigid or PVDF more chemical-resistant?
Of 569 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Rigid and PVDF share the same rating in 349 rows (61 %). PVC Rigid is rated better in 34 rows and PVDF in 186 rows.
How do PVC Rigid and PVDF compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 569 chemicals tested for both: PVC Rigid is rated better with Alkalis. PVDF is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Esters and ethers, Amines and nitrogen compounds. They perform similarly with Mineral acids, Organic acids, Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens.
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.