Materials Technology

Chemical Resistance of PTFE

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is resistant to a broad spectrum of
industrial chemicals, however GORE Vents should be tested with
all possible combinations of chemicals with which the device may
come into contact.
PTFE is chemically resistant to the industrial chemicals listed below.

Alcohols
Amyl Alcohol
Benzyl Alcohol
Butyl Alcohol
Ethyl Alcohol
Isobutyl Alcohol
Methanol
Aldehydes
Formaldehyde
Benzaldehyde
Amines
Diethylacetamide
Dimethylformamide
Bases
Ammonium Hydroxide, 6N
Sodium Hydroxide

Esters
Amyl Acetate
Ethyl Acetate
Isopropyl Acetate
Ethers
Dioxane
Tetrahydrofuran
Halogenated Hydrocarbons
Butyl Chloride
Carbon Tetrachloride
Chlorobenzene
Chloroform
Hydrocarbons
Benzene
Gasoline
Hexane
Kerosene
Pentane
Phenol, 0.5%
Toluene
Xylene
Ketones
Acetone
Cyclohexanone
Methyl Ethyl Ketone
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone

Currently, the only substances known to damage PTFE chemically

are: elemental sodium and other elemental alkali metals, fluorine
and high concentrations (>80%) of metal hydrides, and
amines and imines at high temperature (260C, 500F).
This list is provided for reference only and is by no means exhaustive. As many Gore materials
are laminated to provide additional support and/or made with an adhesive layer to assist with
integration, overall chemical resistance must take the backing material into account. Vents
should be thoroughly tested with all possible combinations of chemicals with which the device
may come into contact.

Polyalcohols
Ethylene Glycol
Glycerol

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

401 Airport Road Elkton, MD 21921 USA
Phone: 1.410.392.4440 Toll-Free: 1.800.455.4670
Fax: 410.506.7993

gore.com

Miscellaneous
Acetonitrile
Ammonia
Chlorine
Cresol
Detergents & Soaps
DMSO
Freon TF
Hydrogen Peroxide, 30%
Nitrobenzene
Petroleum Base Oils
Pyridine
Silicone Oils
Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach)
Water

FOR INDUSTRIAL USE ONLY. Not for use in food, drug, cosmetic or
medical device manufacturing, processing, or packaging operations.
GORE and design are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates. All rights reserved. Freon is a registered trademark of E.I. duPont
de Nemours, Inc.
2011 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Printed in USA.

VENT-TEC-017-R2-US-DEC11

Acids
Acetic Acid, 5%
Acetic Acid, Glacial
Boric Acid
Citric Acid, 0.7%
Formic Acid
Hydrochloric Acid, Con.
Hydrochloric Acid, 6N
Hydrofluoric Acid
Nitric Acid, Con.
Nitric Acid, 6N
Sulfuric Acid, Con.

PTFE, the material in GORE

Membranes, is chemically resistant
to virtually all industrial chemicals.