Chemical Resistance Chart: Materials and Media
Orientation guide: how resistant are common materials to typical media? Filter by medium, group or material. Valid for approx. 20 °C, pure single substances and the stated concentration. “–” means: no documented data.
| Medium | Stainless steel 316 | Aluminium | PP | PVDF | PTFE | NBR | EPDM | FKM | Silicone (VMQ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking water | – | – | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deionised water | – | – | – | – | – | ~ | ✓ | ~ | ~ |
| Seawater, brine | ~ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | – |
| Compressed air (below approx. 93 °C) | – | – | – | – | – | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hydrochloric acid 20 % | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| Sulfuric acid 10 % | – | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| Nitric acid 20 % | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | – | – |
| Phosphoric acid 20 % | ~ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| Acetic acid 5 % | – | – | – | – | – | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Acetic acid 20 % | ✓ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ~ | – |
| Acetic acid, glacial | – | – | – | – | – | ~ | ✓ | ~ | ✓ |
| Sodium hydroxide 20 % | ~ | ✕ | ✓ | ~ | ✓ | ✕ | ~ | ✕ | ~ |
| Potassium hydroxide | – | – | – | – | – | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ~ |
| Ammonia, aqueous | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | – | – |
| Ammonia, anhydrous, liquid | – | – | – | – | – | ~ | ✓ | ✕ | ~ |
| Sodium hypochlorite | – | ✕ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ~ | – |
| Hydrogen peroxide 30 % | ~ | ✓ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | – | ~ | ✓ | – |
| Ferric chloride | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| Ethanol | ✓ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Methanol | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | – | – |
| Acetone | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ~ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Toluene | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✕ | ~ | – |
| Diesel | – | – | – | – | – | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Ethylene glycol, antifreeze | – | – | – | – | – | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ~ |
Sources: The values for stainless steel 316, aluminium, PP, PVDF, PTFE, EPDM and FKM come from the Pumpport Chemical Compatibility Chart (pumpport.com); the values for NBR, EPDM, FKM and silicone from the Generic Chemical Compatibility Guide by Global O-Ring and Seal. Rating: A = resistant, B/C = conditionally resistant, D or 3/4 = not resistant. Where sources differ, the more cautious value is shown. Where a source has no data for a combination, “–” is shown. Mapping as per source: bleach for sodium hypochlorite, denatured alcohol for ethanol, antifreeze for ethylene glycol.
Important: The data are non-binding guide values from the freely available sources named above for approx. 20 °C and pure single substances. Higher temperature, concentration, pressure, mixtures and contaminants can reduce resistance considerably. The manufacturer's specifications are decisive; if in doubt we will gladly check for you. No guarantee.Which materials suit your medium depends on temperature, concentration and pressure. Contact us and we will find the right valve together with you, for example among our solenoid valves or process and control valves.