Summary
- PVDF is rated better with
- Mineral acids (+71 points); Salts and salt solutions (+47 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+45 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+42 points); Alkalis (+40 points); Organic acids (+27 points)
- Aluminium is rated better with
- Ketones and aldehydes (+35 points); Esters and ethers (+30 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+19 points); Phenols (+15 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+12 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Alcohols and glycols; Aromatic hydrocarbons; 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
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 %
Aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium relies on a thin oxide layer. Strong acids, strong alkalis and mercury compounds destroy that layer.
Rated rows: 968. A 60 %, B 9 %, C 16 %, D 16 %
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 | PVDF: rated A or B | Aluminium: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 87 % (61 rows) | 16 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 94 % (64 rows) | 67 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 64 % (22 rows) | 24 % (21 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 99 % (198 rows) | 52 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 87 % (62 rows) | 45 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 98 % (58 rows) | 98 % (59 rows) |
| Phenols | 71 % (14 rows) | 86 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 62 % (34 rows) | 97 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 64 % (66 rows) | 94 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 76 % (38 rows) | 95 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 97 % (72 rows) | 100 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 88 % (48 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 72 % (54 rows) | 27 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 98 % (46 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 280 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVDF | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | D | A |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetyl Chloride | 100 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Chloride | 10 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Chloride | saturated | A | D |
| Aluminum Nitrate | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate | any concentration | A | D |
| Ammonium Fluoride | saturated | A | D |
| Ammonium Fluoride | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Iron(II) Sulfate | A | D | |
| Ammonium Iron(III) Sulfate | saturated | A | D |
| Ammonium Persulfate | saturated | A | D |
| Ammonium Persulfate | aqueous | A | D |
| Aniline Hydrochloride | saturated | A | D |
| Antimony Trichloride | 90 % | A | D |
| Antimony Trichloride | aqueous | A | D |
| Arsenic Acid | A | D | |
| Arsenic Acid | aqueous | A | D |
| Bromine | A | D | |
| Bromine Water | saturated | A | D |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | A | D |
| Cadmium Bromide | A | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | A | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | saturated | A | D |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | aqueous | A | D |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | aqueous | A | D |
| Caraway | ground | A | D |
| Chloric Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Chloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Chlorine Water | A | D | |
| Chloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | A | D |
| Copper Acetate | aqueous | A | D |
| Copper Sulfate (Copper Vitriol) | aqueous | A | D |
| Copper(I) Chloride | aqueous | A | D |
| Copper(II) Chloride | saturated | A | D |
| Copper(II) Nitrate | saturated | A | D |
| Copper(II) Nitrate | aqueous | A | D |
| Dehydroacetic Acid | A | D | |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
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 PVDF or Aluminium more chemical-resistant?
Of 933 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVDF and Aluminium share the same rating in 454 rows (49 %). PVDF is rated better in 307 rows and Aluminium in 172 rows.
How do PVDF and Aluminium compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 933 chemicals tested for both: PVDF is rated better with Mineral acids, Salts and salt solutions, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Oxidising agents and halogens. Aluminium is rated better with Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Phenols. They perform similarly with Alcohols and glycols, Aromatic hydrocarbons, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, 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.