Summary
- Viton (FPM) is rated better with
- Mineral acids (+18 points)
- SS 316 is rated better with
- Ketones and aldehydes (+94 points); Esters and ethers (+85 points); Phenols (+71 points); Amines and nitrogen compounds (+71 points); Halogenated hydrocarbons (+55 points); Alkalis (+45 points); Organic acids (+36 points); Aromatic hydrocarbons (+36 points); Alcohols and glycols (+31 points); Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils (+17 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Salts and salt solutions; Oxidising agents and halogens; 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
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 %
SS 316
Stainless steel 1.4401 (AISI 316)
Stainless steel 316 (1.4401) contains molybdenum, which improves resistance to chlorides over 304. Hydrochloric acid and other halide acids still cause pitting.
Rated rows: 868. A 89 %, B 4 %, C 2 %, D 4 %
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 | SS 316: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 83 % (63 rows) | 65 % (60 rows) |
| Organic acids | 62 % (64 rows) | 98 % (55 rows) |
| Alkalis | 55 % (22 rows) | 100 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 88 % (198 rows) | 93 % (175 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 77 % (62 rows) | 79 % (57 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 69 % (58 rows) | 100 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | 29 % (14 rows) | 100 % (11 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 6 % (35 rows) | 100 % (33 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 15 % (71 rows) | 100 % (69 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 24 % (37 rows) | 95 % (38 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 64 % (14 rows) | 100 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 90 % (71 rows) | 100 % (76 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | 83 % (48 rows) | 100 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 33 % (70 rows) | 88 % (24 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 96 % (46 rows) | 100 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 273 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Viton (FPM) | SS 316 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Acetic Anhydride | technical grade | D | A |
| Acetone | D | A | |
| Acetophenone | D | A | |
| Acrylonitrile | D | A | |
| Allyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Allyl Alcohol | 96 % | D | A |
| Aluminum Acetate Solution | saturated | D | A |
| Amyl Acetate | D | A | |
| Anisole | 100 % | D | A |
| Antimony Trichloride | 90 % | A | D |
| Antimony Trichloride | anhydrous | A | D |
| Antimony Trichloride | aqueous | A | D |
| Benzaldehyde | D | A | |
| Bitter Almond Oil | D | A | |
| Brake Fluid | D | A | |
| Butyl Acetate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butyl Acrylate | 100 % | D | A |
| Butylamine | D | A | |
| Butylene Glycol | technical grade | D | A |
| Butyraldehyde | D | A | |
| Calcium Acetate | aqueous | D | A |
| Chloramine-T | dilute | D | A |
| Chloric Acid | 1 % | A | D |
| Chloroethanol | technical grade | D | A |
| Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | technical grade | D | A |
| Copper(I) Chloride | aqueous | A | D |
| Copper(II) Chloride | saturated | A | D |
| Cyclohexanol | technical grade | D | A |
| Cyclohexanone | technical grade | D | A |
| Diacetone Alcohol | D | A | |
| Dibenzyl Ether | D | A | |
| Dibenzyl Sebacate | D | A | |
| Dibutyl Ether | technical grade | D | A |
| Dibutyl Sebacate | technical grade | 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 Viton (FPM) or SS 316 more chemical-resistant?
Of 857 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Viton (FPM) and SS 316 share the same rating in 464 rows (54 %). Viton (FPM) is rated better in 72 rows and SS 316 in 321 rows.
How do Viton (FPM) and SS 316 compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 857 chemicals tested for both: Viton (FPM) is rated better with Mineral acids. SS 316 is rated better with Ketones and aldehydes, Esters and ethers, Phenols, Amines and nitrogen compounds. They perform similarly with Salts and salt solutions, Oxidising agents and halogens, 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.