Summary
- PVC Rigid is rated better with
- Alkalis (+45 points); Organic acids (+25 points); Salts and salt solutions (+12 points)
- Viton (FPM) is rated better with
- Aromatic hydrocarbons (+64 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+25 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+24 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Mineral acids; Oxidising agents and halogens; Alcohols and glycols; Phenols; Ketones and aldehydes; Esters and ethers; Amines and nitrogen compounds; Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons; 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 %
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 Rigid: rated A or B | Viton (FPM): rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 82 % (56 rows) | 83 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 87 % (45 rows) | 62 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (16 rows) | 55 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (111 rows) | 88 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 85 % (39 rows) | 77 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 79 % (43 rows) | 69 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 38 % (8 rows) | 29 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 11 % (18 rows) | 6 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 5 % (39 rows) | 15 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 23 % (22 rows) | 24 % (37 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 0 % (9 rows) | 64 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 84 % (38 rows) | 90 % (71 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 59 % (17 rows) | 83 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 8 % (36 rows) | 33 % (70 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (23 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 111 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVC Rigid | Viton (FPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | D | A | |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | A | D |
| Alanine | D | A | |
| Aluminum Acetate Solution | saturated | A | D |
| Amyl Chloride | D | A | |
| Benzyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Brake Fluid | A | D | |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | D | A |
| Butylene Glycol | technical grade | A | D |
| Carbon Disulfide | D | A | |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | D | A | |
| Chlorine | 97 % | D | A |
| Chlorine Gas | D | A | |
| Cresol | D | A | |
| Cumene | D | A | |
| Cyclohexanol | technical grade | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | technical grade | A | D |
| Diethylbenzene | D | A | |
| Hydroquinone | saturated | A | D |
| Iodine Tincture | D | A | |
| Iodoform | 100 % | D | A |
| Methanesulfonic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Naphthalene | 100 % | D | A |
| Nitroglycol | dilute | D | A |
| Oleum (Fuming Sulfuric Acid) | 10 % SO3 | D | A |
| Phenylhydrazine | technical grade | D | A |
| Phosphorus Oxychloride | D | A | |
| Phosphorus Oxychloride | 100 % | D | A |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 30 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | 50 % | A | D |
| Potassium Hydroxide | concentrated | A | D |
| Sulfur Dioxide | moist | A | D |
| Sulfur Trioxide | 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 Rigid or Viton (FPM) more chemical-resistant?
Of 566 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVC Rigid and Viton (FPM) share the same rating in 335 rows (59 %). PVC Rigid is rated better in 113 rows and Viton (FPM) in 118 rows.
How do PVC Rigid and Viton (FPM) compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 566 chemicals tested for both: PVC Rigid is rated better with Alkalis, Organic acids, Salts and salt solutions. Viton (FPM) is rated better with Aromatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils. They perform similarly with Mineral acids, Oxidising agents and halogens, Alcohols and glycols, Phenols.
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.