When selecting fittings and connectors for microfluidic applications, ensuring chemical compatibility is crucial to maintaining system integrity and performance. Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), commonly known as Tefzel, is widely used for fittings and connectors due to its superior chemical resistance, excellent mechanical properties, and thermal stability. ETFE offers the best wear resistance, impact toughness, and radiation resistance among fluoropolymers, making it ideal for use in demanding environments where other materials might fail. Its ability to withstand extremes of temperature and resist a wide range of chemicals, including acids, bases, salts, and organic solvents, further enhances its suitability for applications involving aggressive chemicals and challenging conditions.
Understanding compatibility is essential for preventing degradation and ensuring safety. Therefore, we present in this guide a comprehensive table of chemical compatibility for ETFE fittings and connectors. This table, based on chemical compatibility data provided by IDEX, is designed to help engineers, technicians, and researchers quickly determine whether ETFE is suitable for their specific applications, ensuring reliable and long-lasting performance in various chemical environments.
Refer to this table to make informed choices and maintain the efficiency and safety of your system.
💡 The chemical compatibility rating key is as follows:
- A = Little to No Effect
- B = Slight Effect (Minor Discoloration or Corrosion)
- C = Moderate to Severe Effect (Not Recommended)
🚨 The compatibility ratings provided in these tables are for general guidance only and may not be complete or accurate. They do not address potential contamination or changes in fluid properties due to tubing interaction. We do not guarantee the suitability of any material for specific purposes or the impact of tubing on fluid quality. For critical applications, conduct specific tests or seek expert advice.
ETFE Fittings and Connectors: Chemical Compatibility Table
| Chemical Substance | Compatibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A | ||
| Acetaldehyde | A | |
| Acetamide | A | |
| Acetic acid, 50% | A | |
| Acetic acid, glacial | A | |
| Acetic anhydride | A | |
| Acetone | A | |
| Acetonitrile | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Acetophenone | A | |
| Acetylchloride | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Acetylene | A | |
| Acetylene tetrabromide | A | |
| Acetylene tetrachloride | A | |
| Acrylonitrile | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Adipic acid | A | |
| Air | A | |
| Allyl alcohol | A | |
| Allyl chloride | A | |
| Aluminum chloride | A | |
| Aluminum fluoride | A | |
| Aluminum hydroxide | A | |
| Aluminum nitrate | A | |
| Aluminum oxychloride | A | |
| Aluminum potassium sulfate | A | |
| Amino Acids | A | |
| Ammonia, 30% | A | |
| Ammonia, anhydrous | A | |
| Ammonium bifluoride | A | |
| Ammonium Bromide, 50% | A | |
| Ammonium carbonate | A | |
| Ammonium chloride | A | |
| Ammonium dichromate | A | |
| Ammonium fluoride | A | |
| Ammonium hydroxide | A | |
| Ammonium nitrate | A | |
| Ammonium perchlorate | A | |
| Ammonium persulfate | A | |
| Ammonium phosphate | A | |
| Ammonium sulfate | A | |
| Ammonium sulfide | A | |
| Ammonium thiocyanate | A | |
| Amyl acetate | A | |
| Amyl alcohol | A | |
| Amyl chloride | A | |
| Aniline | A | Elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Aniline hydrochloride, 10% | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Anthraquinone | A | |
| Anthraquinone-sulfonic acid | A | |
| Antimony trichloride | A | |
| Aqua regia | A | |
| Arsenic acid | A | |
| B | ||
| Barium carbonate | A | |
| Barium chloride | A | |
| Barium hydroxide | A | |
| Barium sulfate | A | |
| Barium sulfide | A | |
| Battery Acid | A | |
| Benzaldehyde | A | |
| Benzene | A | |
| Benzene sulfonic acid | A | |
| Benzoic acid | A | |
| Benzoyl chloride | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Benzyl alcohol | A | |
| Benzyl chloride | A | |
| Bismuth carbonate | A | |
| Bleach (12.5% chlorine) | A | |
| Borax | A | |
| Boric acid | A | |
| Brine | A | |
| Bromic acid | A | |
| Bromine water, 10% | A | |
| Bromine, anhydrous | A | Room temperature only. |
| Bromine, dry | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Bromobenzene (mono-) | A | |
| Bromoform | A | |
| Bromotoluene (m-) | A | |
| Butadiene | A | |
| Butane | A | |
| Butanediol | A | |
| Butyl acetate | A | |
| Butyl acetate (n-) | A | Elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Butyl acrylate | A | |
| Butyl alcohol (n-) | A | |
| Butyl alcohol (sec-) | A | |
| Butyl alcohol (tert-) | A | |
| Butyl Bromide | A | |
| Butyl chloride | A | |
| Butyl mercaptan (n-) | A | |
| Butyl phenol | A | |
| Butyl phthalate | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Butylamine (di-n-) | A | |
| Butylamine (n-) | A | Maximum use temperature of 50 °C. |
| Butylamine (sec-) | A | Maximum use temperature of 50 °C. |
| Butylamine (tert-) | A | Maximum use temperature of 50 °C. |
| Butylamine (tri-n-) | A | |
| Butylene | A | |
| Butyraldehyde | A | |
| Butyric acid | A | |
| C | ||
| Calcium bisulfate | A | |
| Calcium bisulfide | A | |
| Calcium carbonate | A | |
| Calcium chlorate | A | |
| Calcium chloride | A | |
| Calcium hydroxide | A | |
| Calcium hypochlorite | A | |
| Calcium nitrate | A | |
| Calcium oxide | A | |
| Calcium sulfate | A | |
| Calcium sulfide | A | |
| Caprylic acid | A | |
| Carbon dioxide, dry | A | |
| Carbon dioxide, wet | A | |
| Carbon disulfide | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Carbon monoxide | A | |
| Carbon tetrachloride | B | |
| Carbonic acid | A | |
| Castor oil | A | |
| Caustic potash, 50% | A | |
| Caustic soda, 50% | A | |
| Cellosolve | A | |
| Chloracetic acid, 50% | A | |
| Chloral hydrate | A | |
| Chlorinated brine | A | |
| Chlorinated phenol | A | |
| Chlorine Dioxide | A | |
| Chlorine, anhydrous | B | |
| Chlorine, dry | A | |
| Chlorine, wet | A | |
| Chlorobenzene | A | |
| Chlorobenzyl chloride | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Chloroform | B | Elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Chlorohydrin, liquid | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Chlorosulphonic acid | A | Maximum Use Temperature of 25 °C. |
| Chromic acid | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Chromic Chloride | A | |
| Chromyl chloride | A | |
| Clorox bleach (5.5% chlorine) | A | |
| Clycerol | A | |
| Clycol | A | |
| Clycolic acid | A | |
| Coal Gas | A | |
| Copper chloride | A | |
| Copper cyanide | A | |
| Copper fluoride | A | |
| Copper nitrate | A | |
| Copper sulfate | A | |
| Cresol | A | |
| Cresol (o-) | A | |
| Cresylic acid | A | |
| Crotonaldehyde | A | |
| Crude oil | A | |
| Cyclohexane | A | |
| Cyclohexanol | A | |
| Cyclohexanone | A | |
| D | ||
| DDT | A | |
| Decalin | A | Elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Decane | A | |
| Dextrin | A | |
| Diacetone alcohol | A | |
| Dibromo propane (1,2) | A | |
| Dibutyl phthalate | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Dichloroacetic acid | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Dichlorobenzene (o-) | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Dichloroethylene | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C; elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Dichloropropionic acid | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Diesel fuels | A | |
| Diethyl Benzene | A | |
| Diethyl cellosolve | A | |
| Diethyl ether | A | |
| Diethylamine | A | |
| Diethylene triamine | A | |
| Diglycolic acid | A | |
| Diisobutyl ketone | A | |
| Dimethyl aniline (N,N-) | A | Maximum use temperature of 50 °C. |
| Dimethyl formamide | A | Elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Dimethyl phthalate | A | |
| Dimethyl sulfate | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Dimethyl sulfoxide | A | Elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Dimethylamine | A | Maximum use temperature of 50 °C. |
| Dioctyl phthalate | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Dioxane (p-) | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Diphenyl oxide | A | |
| Divinyl benzene | A | |
| E | ||
| Epichlohydrin | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Esters | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Ether | A | |
| Ethyl acetate | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Ethyl acrylate | A | |
| Ethyl alcohol | A | |
| Ethyl chloride | A | |
| Ethyl chloroacetate | A | |
| Ethyl cyanoacetate | A | |
| Ethylacetoacetate | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Ethylamine | A | Maximum Use Temperature of 40 °C. |
| Ethylene bromide | A | |
| Ethylene chloride | A | |
| Ethylene chlorohydrin | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Ethylene diamine | A | Maximum use temperature of 50 °C. |
| Ethylene glycol | A | Elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Ethylene oxide | A | |
| F | ||
| Fatty acids | A | |
| Ferric chloride | A | |
| Ferric hydroxide | A | |
| Ferric nitrate | A | |
| Ferric sulfate | A | |
| Fluorine (gaseous) | A | Maximum Use Temperature of 40 °C. |
| Fluoroboric acid | A | |
| Fluorosilicic acid | A | |
| Formaldehyde, 37% | A | |
| Formic acid | A | |
| Freon 11 | A | |
| Freon 113 | A | Elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Freon 12 | A | |
| Freon 22 | A | |
| Fuel oil | A | |
| Fumaric acid | A | |
| Furane | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Furfural | A | |
| G | ||
| Gallic acid | A | |
| Gas, manufactured | A | |
| Gas, natural | A | |
| Gasoline, leaded | A | |
| Gasoline, sour | A | |
| Gasoline, unleaded | A | |
| H | ||
| Heptane | A | |
| Hexane | A | |
| Hydrazine | A | Maximum Use Temperature of 40 °C. |
| Hydrazine dihydrochloride | A | Maximum use temperature of 50 °C. |
| Hydriodic acid | A | |
| Hydrobromic acid | A | |
| Hydrochloric acid | A | |
| Hydrochloric acid, Gas | A | |
| Hydrocyanic acid | A | |
| Hydrofluoric acid | A | |
| Hydrofluorosilicic acid | A | |
| Hydrogen | A | |
| Hydrogen cyanide | A | |
| Hydrogen peroxide | A | |
| Hydrogen phosphide | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Hydrogen sulfide, dry | A | |
| Hydrogen sulfide, wet | A | |
| Hydroquinone | A | |
| Hypochlorous acid | A | |
| I | ||
| Inert gases | A | |
| Iodine, dry | A | |
| Iodine, wet | A | |
| Iodoform | A | |
| Isobutyl alcohol | A | |
| Isopropylamine | A | Maximum use temperature of 50 °C. |
| J | ||
| Jet fuel, JP4 | A | |
| Jet fuel, JP5 | A | |
| L | ||
| Lactic acid | A | |
| Lard oil | A | |
| Lauric acid | A | |
| Lauryl chloride | A | |
| Lauryl sulfate | A | |
| Lead acetate | A | |
| Linoleic acid | A | |
| Linseed oil | A | |
| Lithium bromide, sat. | A | |
| Lithium hydroxide | A | |
| Lubricating oil | A | |
| M | ||
| Magnesium carbonate | A | |
| Magnesium chloride | A | |
| Magnesium hydroxide | A | |
| Magnesium nitrate | A | |
| Magnesium sulfate | A | |
| Maleic acid | A | |
| Maleic anhydride | A | |
| MEK | A | |
| Mercuric chloride | A | |
| Mercuric cyanide | A | |
| Mercuric nitrate | A | |
| Mercury | A | |
| Methacrylic acid | A | |
| Methane | A | |
| Methane sulfonic acid, 509% | A | |
| Methyl alcohol | A | |
| Methyl aniline, (n-) | A | Elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Methyl benzoate | A | |
| Methyl bromide | A | |
| Methyl cellosolve | A | |
| Methyl chloride | A | |
| Methyl chloroform | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Methyl chloromethyl ether | A | |
| Methyl cyanoacetate | A | |
| Methyl isobutyl ketone | A | |
| Methyl methacrylate | A | |
| Methyl salicylate | A | |
| Methyl sulfuric acid | A | |
| Methyl trichlorosilane | A | |
| Methylene bromide | A | |
| Methylene chloride | A | Elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Methylene iodide | A | |
| Mineral oil | A | |
| Monochlorobenzene | A | |
| Monoethanolamine | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Morpholine | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Motor oil | A | |
| N | ||
| Naphtha | A | |
| Naphthalene | A | |
| Nickel chloride | A | |
| Nickel nitrate | A | |
| Nickel sulfate | A | |
| Nicotine | A | |
| Nicotonic acid | A | |
| Nitric acid, 25% | A | |
| Nitric acid, 50% | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Nitric acid, 70% | A | Maximum Use Temperature of 60 °C. |
| Nitrobenzene | A | |
| Nitrogen dioxide | A | |
| Nitrogen Gas | A | |
| Nitromethane | A | |
| Nitrous acid | A | |
| O | ||
| Octane | A | |
| Octene | A | |
| Oil, sour crude | A | |
| Oleic acid | A | |
| Oleum | A | Maximum use temperature of 50 °C. |
| Oxalic acid | A | |
| Oxygen | A | |
| Ozone, 1% in air | A | |
| P | ||
| Palmitic acid | A | |
| Perchlorethylene | A | |
| Perchloric acid, 10% | A | |
| Perchloric acid, 72% | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Petrolatum | A | |
| Petroleum | A | |
| Petroleum ether | A | |
| Phenol | A | |
| Phenolsulfonic acid | A | |
| Phenylhydrazine | A | |
| Phenylhydrazine hydrochloride | A | |
| Phenylphenol (o-) | A | |
| Phosgene | A | |
| Phosphoric acid | A | |
| Phosphoric oxychloride | A | |
| Phosphoric trichloride | A | Maximum use temperature of 75 °C. |
| Phosphorus oxychloride | A | |
| Phosphorus pentachloride | A | |
| Phosphorus pentoxide | A | |
| Phosphorus trichloride | A | |
| Phthalic acid | A | |
| Phthalic Anhydride | A | |
| Phthaloyl chloride | A | |
| Picric acid | A | Maximum use temperature of 50 °C. |
| Plating solution, brass | A | |
| Plating solution, cadmium | A | |
| Plating solution, chrome | A | |
| Plating solution, copper | A | |
| Plating solution, gold | A | |
| Polyvinyl acetate | A | |
| Polyvinyl alcohol | A | |
| Potassium aluminum chloride | A | |
| Potassium aluminum sulfate, 50% | A | |
| Potassium bicarbonate | A | |
| Potassium borate | A | |
| Potassium bromate | A | |
| Potassium bromide | A | |
| Potassium carbonate | A | |
| Potassium chlorate | A | |
| Potassium chloride | A | |
| Potassium chromate | A | |
| Potassium cyanide | A | |
| Potassium dichromate | A | |
| Potassium ferrocyanide | A | |
| Potassium fluoride | A | |
| Potassium hydroxide, 50% | A | |
| Potassium hypochloride | A | |
| Potassium nitrate | A | |
| Potassium perborate | A | |
| Potassium perchlorate | A | |
| Potassium permanganate | A | |
| Potassium persulfate | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Potassium sulfate | A | |
| Potassium sulfide | A | |
| Propane | A | |
| Propionic acid | A | |
| Propyl alcohol | A | |
| Propylene dibromide | A | |
| Propylene dichloride | A | |
| Propylene glycol methyl ether | A | |
| Propylene oxide | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Pyridine | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Pyrogallol | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| S | ||
| Salicylaldehyde | A | |
| Salicylic acid | A | |
| Salt Brine | A | |
| Sea water | A | |
| Silicon tetrachloride | A | |
| Silver chloride | A | |
| Silver cyanide | A | |
| Silver nitrate | A | |
| Skydrol | A | Elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Sodium acetate | A | |
| Sodium benzene-sulfonate | A | |
| Sodium benzoate | A | |
| Sodium bicarbonate | A | |
| Sodium bisulfate | A | |
| Sodium bisulfite | A | |
| Sodium borate | A | |
| Sodium bromide | A | |
| Sodium carbonate | A | |
| Sodium chlorate | A | |
| Sodium chloride | A | |
| Sodium chromate | A | |
| Sodium cyanide | A | |
| Sodium dichromate (alkaline) | A | |
| Sodium ferricyanide | A | |
| Sodium ferrocyanide | A | |
| Sodium fluoride | A | |
| Sodium Glutamate | A | |
| Sodium hydroxide, 50% | A | Elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Sodium hypochloride | A | |
| Sodium hyposulfite | A | |
| Sodium iodide | A | |
| Sodium lignosulfonate | A | |
| Sodium metasilicate | A | |
| Sodium nitrate | A | |
| Sodium nitrite | A | |
| Sodium perborate | A | |
| Sodium perchlorate | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Sodium peroxide | A | |
| Sodium persulfate | A | Maximum use temperature of 80 °C. |
| Sodium phosphate | A | |
| Sodium silicate | A | |
| Sodium silicofluoride | A | |
| Sodium sulfate | A | |
| Sodium sulfide | A | |
| Sodium sulfite | A | |
| Sodium thiosulfate | A | |
| Sorbic acid | A | |
| Stannic chloride | A | |
| Stannous chloride | A | |
| Stannous fluoride | A | |
| Stearic acid | A | |
| Stoddard’s solvent | A | |
| Stripper solution (A-20) | A | Elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Styrene monomer | A | |
| Succinic acid | A | |
| Sulfamic acid | A | |
| Sulfur dioxide | A | |
| Sulfur trioxide, liquid | A | Maximum use temperature of 25 °C. |
| Sulfur, Molten | A | |
| Sulfuric acid, conc. | A | |
| Sulfuric acid, fuming | A | Maximum use temperature of 50 °C. |
| Sulfurous acid | A | |
| Sulfuryl chloride | B | |
| T | ||
| Tall oil | A | |
| Tannic acid | A | |
| Tartaric acid | A | |
| Tetrachlorophenol (2,3,4,6-) | A | |
| Tetraethyl lead | A | |
| Tetrahydrofuran (THF) | A | Elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide, 50% | A | |
| Thionyl chloride | A | |
| Tin Tetrachloride | A | |
| Titanium Dioxide | A | |
| Titanium tetrachloride | A | |
| Toluene | A | |
| Transmission oil | A | |
| Tributyl phosphate | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Trichloracetic acid | A | Elevated temperatures reduce resistance. |
| Trichlorethylene | A | |
| Trichloromethane | A | |
| Trichlorophenol (2,4,5-) | A | |
| Triethanolamine | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| Triethylamine | A | |
| Trisodium phosphate | A | |
| Turpentine | A | |
| U | ||
| UDMH/hydrazine, 50/50 | A | Maximum use temperature of 50 °C. |
| Urea, 50% | A | |
| V | ||
| Varsol | A | |
| Vinyl acetate | A | |
| Vinyl chloride (monomer) | A | Maximum use temperature of 65 °C. |
| W | ||
| Water | A | |
| Water Sewage | A | |
| Wax | A | |
| X | ||
| Xylene | A | |
| Z | ||
| Zinc Acetate | A | |
| Zinc chloride | A | |
| Zinc hydrosulfite, 10% | A | |
| Zinc nitrate | A | |
| Zinc sulfate | A | |
| Zinc sulfide | A |
