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PVDF vs Silicone: Chemical Resistance Compared

Of 22 source rows rated for both materials at 20 °C, 22 (100 %) have the same rating. PVDF is rated better in 0 rows and Silicone in 0. A row is one chemical at one concentration.

Summary

Within 10 points of each other
Salts and salt solutions

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 %

All chemicals for PVDF

Silicone

Silicone rubber

Silicone rubber keeps its flexibility over a wide temperature range. Concentrated acids and alkalis and hydrocarbon solvents attack or swell it.

Rated rows: 23. A 96 %, B 0 %, C 0 %, D 4 %

All chemicals for Silicone

Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical class

PVDF, Silicone: Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical classSalts and salt solutions: PVDF 99 %, Silicone 100 %.Salts and salt solutionsSalts and salt solutions, PVDF: 99 % (198)99 %Salts and salt solutions, Silicone: 100 % (9)100 %
PVDFSilicone
Rating at 20 °C. Only classes with at least 8 rated rows for both materials are shown.

How often the two ratings agree

PVDF, Silicone: How often the two ratings agreePVDF A, Silicone A: 21; PVDF D, Silicone D: 1.SiliconeABCDPVDFAPVDF A, Silicone A: 2121PVDF A, Silicone B: 00PVDF A, Silicone C: 00PVDF A, Silicone D: 00BPVDF B, Silicone A: 00PVDF B, Silicone B: 00PVDF B, Silicone C: 00PVDF B, Silicone D: 00CPVDF C, Silicone A: 00PVDF C, Silicone B: 00PVDF C, Silicone C: 00PVDF C, Silicone D: 00DPVDF D, Silicone A: 00PVDF D, Silicone B: 00PVDF D, Silicone C: 00PVDF D, Silicone D: 11
Number of source rows for each pair of ratings at 20 °C. Outlined cells are rows where both materials have the same rating.

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 classPVDF: rated A or BSilicone: rated A or B
Mineral acids87 % (61 rows)–
Organic acids94 % (64 rows)–
Alkalis64 % (22 rows)–
Salts and salt solutions99 % (198 rows)100 % (9 rows)
Oxidising agents and halogens87 % (62 rows)–
Alcohols and glycols98 % (58 rows)–
Phenols71 % (14 rows)–
Ketones and aldehydes62 % (34 rows)–
Esters and ethers64 % (66 rows)–
Amines and nitrogen compounds76 % (38 rows)–
Aromatic hydrocarbons100 % (14 rows)–
Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons97 % (72 rows)–
Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils88 % (48 rows)–
Halogenated hydrocarbons72 % (54 rows)–
Foods and beverages98 % (46 rows)–

Where the ratings differ most

No row has ratings more than one grade apart.

Rating scale

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 Silicone more chemical-resistant?

Of 22 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVDF and Silicone share the same rating in 22 rows (100 %). PVDF is rated better in 0 rows and Silicone in 0 rows.

How do PVDF and Silicone compare for chemical resistance?

Based on 22 chemicals tested for both: PVDF is rated better with –. Silicone is rated better with –. They perform similarly with Salts and salt solutions.

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.