Summary
- Viton (FPM) is rated better with
- Mineral acids (+67 points); Salts and salt solutions (+36 points); Oxidising agents and halogens (+32 points); Alkalis (+31 points)
- Aluminium is rated better with
- Ketones and aldehydes (+91 points); Esters and ethers (+79 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+71 points); Phenols (+57 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+36 points); Alcohols and glycols (+29 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+17 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Organic acids; Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons; Halogenated hydrocarbons; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
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 %
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 | Viton (FPM): rated A or B | Aluminium: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 83 % (63 rows) | 16 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 62 % (64 rows) | 67 % (64 rows) |
| Alkalis | 55 % (22 rows) | 24 % (21 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 88 % (198 rows) | 52 % (194 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 77 % (62 rows) | 45 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 69 % (58 rows) | 98 % (59 rows) |
| Phenols | 29 % (14 rows) | 86 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 6 % (35 rows) | 97 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 15 % (71 rows) | 94 % (71 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 24 % (37 rows) | 95 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 64 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 90 % (71 rows) | 100 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 83 % (48 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 33 % (70 rows) | 27 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 96 % (46 rows) | 96 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 405 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Viton (FPM) | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetaldehyde | 40 % | D | A |
| Acetaldehyde | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetamide | saturated | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 100 % | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | D | A |
| Acetic Acid | 90 % | D | A |
| Acetone | D | A | |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Acetyl Chloride | 100 % | A | D |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Alcohol | 96 % | D | A |
| Aluminum Acetate Solution | saturated | D | A |
| Aluminum Chloride | 10 % | A | D |
| Aluminum Chloride | saturated | A | D |
| Aluminum Nitrate | aqueous | A | D |
| Ammonium Iron(II) Sulfate | A | D | |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Anisole | 100 % | D | A |
| Antimony Trichloride | 90 % | A | D |
| Antimony Trichloride | aqueous | A | D |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Benzyl Chloride | 100 % | A | D |
| Bismuth Chloride | A | D | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Brake Fluid | D | A | |
| Bromomethane | technical grade | A | D |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butylamine | D | A | |
| Butylene Glycol | technical grade | D | A |
| Butyraldehyde | D | A | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | A | D | |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | aqueous | A | D |
| Caraway | ground | A | D |
| Chlorine Water | A | D | |
| Chromic-Sulfuric Acid | concentrated | A | D |
| Copper Sulfate (Copper Vitriol) | aqueous | A | D |
| Copper(I) Chloride | aqueous | A | D |
| Copper(II) Chloride | saturated | 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 Viton (FPM) or Aluminium more chemical-resistant?
Of 952 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Viton (FPM) and Aluminium share the same rating in 383 rows (40 %). Viton (FPM) is rated better in 275 rows and Aluminium in 294 rows.
How do Viton (FPM) and Aluminium compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 952 chemicals tested for both: Viton (FPM) is rated better with Mineral acids, Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens, Alkalis. Aluminium is rated better with Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, Amines and nitrogen compounds, Phenols. They perform similarly with Organic acids, Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated 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.