Summary
- PVDF is rated better with
- Mineral acids (+24 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+21 points)
- SS 304 is rated better with
- Ketones and aldehydes (+38 points); Esters and ethers (+36 points); Alkalis (+36 points); Phenols (+29 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+19 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+16 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+12 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Organic acids; Salts and salt solutions; 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 %
SS 304
Stainless steel 1.4301 (AISI 304)
Stainless steel 304 (1.4301) resists oxidising acids and most organic chemicals. Chlorides cause pitting and stress-corrosion cracking.
Rated rows: 865. A 88 %, B 5 %, C 2 %, D 5 %
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 | SS 304: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 87 % (61 rows) | 63 % (60 rows) |
| Organic acids | 94 % (64 rows) | 96 % (53 rows) |
| Alkalis | 64 % (22 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 99 % (198 rows) | 93 % (175 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 87 % (62 rows) | 66 % (56 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 98 % (58 rows) | 100 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 71 % (14 rows) | 100 % (11 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 62 % (34 rows) | 100 % (33 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 64 % (66 rows) | 100 % (69 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 76 % (38 rows) | 95 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 100 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 97 % (72 rows) | 100 % (76 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 88 % (48 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 72 % (54 rows) | 88 % (24 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 98 % (46 rows) | 100 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 128 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | PVDF | SS 304 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | D | A |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetic Anhydride | technical grade | D | A |
| Aluminum Chloride | 10 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Chloride | 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 |
| Bromine | A | D | |
| Bromine Vapors | A | D | |
| Bromine Water | saturated | A | D |
| Chloric Acid | 1 % | A | D |
| Chloric Acid | 10 % | A | D |
| Chloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Copper(I) Chloride | aqueous | A | D |
| Copper(II) Chloride | saturated | A | D |
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | D | A | |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 40 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Hydrobromic Acid | dilute | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 1-5 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 35 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | concentrated | A | D |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 50 % | A | D |
| Hydrofluoric Acid | 70 % | A | D |
| Ferric Chloride (Iron(III) Chloride) | saturated | A | D |
| Mercury(II) Chloride | aqueous | A | D |
| Oleum (Fuming Sulfuric Acid) | 10 % SO3 | D | A |
| Phenylhydrazine Hydrochloride | A | D | |
| Potassium Bisulfate | A | D | |
| Potassium Bisulfate | aqueous | A | D |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 1 % | D | A |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 30 % | D | A |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 45 % | D | A |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 50 % | D | A |
| Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | 60 % | D | A |
| Sulfur Dioxide | liquid | 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 PVDF or SS 304 more chemical-resistant?
Of 846 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, PVDF and SS 304 share the same rating in 562 rows (66 %). PVDF is rated better in 90 rows and SS 304 in 194 rows.
How do PVDF and SS 304 compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 846 chemicals tested for both: PVDF is rated better with Mineral acids, Oxidising agents and halogens. SS 304 is rated better with Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, Alkalis, Phenols. They perform similarly with Organic acids, Salts and salt solutions, Alcohols and glycols, Aromatic hydrocarbons.
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.