Gasket Materials by Industry

Types of Gasket Materials

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Materials List

Gasket Materials by Industry

Choosing the right gasket material is crucial for reliable sealing in plate-and-frame heat exchangers (PHEs). Different industries impose unique challenges—temperature extremes, aggressive chemicals, frequent cleaning cycles, high pressures, or foaming liquids. This guide zeroes in on gasket materials, outlining their key properties, temperature/chemical limits, and typical use cases within each sector.

Biotech & Pharmaceutical

Key Requirements
  • Full FDA/USP Class VI compliance
  • Steam sterilization at 121 °C
  • Resistance to CIP (alkaline, acidic, H₂O₂, peracetic acid)
  • No taste, odor or extractables
Top Materials
  • EPDM (FDA-grade): –15 °C to 150 °C. Excellent steam and hot water resistance; inert to oxidizers and caustics.
  • FKM (Viton™ food grade): –20 °C to 200 °C. Superb chemical resistance to acids and solvents; limited steam tolerance.
  • HNBR (food grade): –30 °C to 165 °C. Bridges NBR and Viton performance; good for hot water, steam, oils.
  • PTFE (Teflon® laminate): –200 °C to 260 °C. Chemically inert; slippery, so often paired with an elastomer for sealing.
Pros & Cons
  • EPDM: Best for steam/CIP; weaker against solvents.
  • FKM: Handles aggressive solvents; pricier and less steam-friendly.
  • HNBR: Versatile all-rounder; moderate chemical resistance.
  • PTFE: Broad chemical range; low recovery, needs energizing layer.

Energy & Utilities

Key Requirements
  • Continuous operation at 150–200 °C and high pressures
  • Oil and hydrocarbon exposure
  • Thermal cycling and mechanical stress
Top Materials
  • NBR (oil grade): –40 °C to 110 °C. Excellent oil and fuel resistance; good compression set.
  • HNBR: –30 °C to 165 °C. Superior heat and aging resistance; handles oil and water.
  • FKM (Viton™): –20 °C to 200 °C. Premium heat and chemical resistance; limited low temp flexibility.
  • Graphite/Spiral Wound: –200 °C to 650 °C. For extreme T/P; requires compatible flange finish.
Pros & Cons
  • NBR: Cost effective for oil services; limited high temp use.
  • HNBR: Balances oil and heat; more expensive.
  • FKM: High temp champion; costly and stiff when cold.
  • Graphite: Ultimate temperature range; no elastic recovery.

Refridgeration & HVAC

Key Requirements
  • Wide temperature operation range (-40°C to 150°C)
  • Resistance to refrigerants, oils, glycols, and cleaning solutions
  • Frequent thermal cycling without gasket deterioration
  • Minimal leakage and high sealing reliability
Top Materials
  • EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer): –15°C to 150°C. Ideal for HVAC hot water, steam, and glycol systems; resistant to water treatment chemicals.
  • NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber): –35°C to 110°C. Excellent compatibility with refrigerants, oils, and glycols; commonly used in chillers and refrigeration circuits.
  • HNBR (Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubber): –30°C to 165°C. Bridges performance of NBR and FKM; suitable for refrigerants, higher-temperature glycol, and oils.
  • FKM (Viton™): –20°C to 200°C. Exceptional resistance to heat, aggressive refrigerants, and chemicals; often selected for extreme or specialized applications.
Pros & Cons
  • EPDM: Versatile for HVAC; not compatible with oils or hydrocarbon-based refrigerants.
  • NBR: Ideal for oil-rich environments; limited resistance to high temperatures and oxidizing agents.
  • HNBR: Enhanced performance in high-temp refrigerants; moderate chemical resistance.
  • FKM: Superior chemical and heat resistance; higher cost and typically reserved for aggressive or high-demand environments.

Food, Dairy & Beverage

Key Requirements
  • FDA/3 A/EHEDG compliance
  • Frequent CIP at 75–95 °C, occasional 120 °C
  • Neutral taste, no leachables
Top Materials
  • EPDM (food grade): –15 °C to 150 °C. Ideal for hot water, steam, caustic/acid cleaners.
  • NBR (food grade): –40 °C to 110 °C. Handles fats and oils; replace more often under aggressive CIP.
  • Silicone: –60 °C to 200 °C. Flexible, wide temp; moderate chemical resistance.
  • FKM (food grade): –20 °C to 200 °C. Use for sticky syrups or aggressive sanitizers.
Pros & Cons
  • EPDM: Outstanding CIP/steam; not for oil based products.
  • NBR: Great for dairy fats; limited to moderate temps.
  • Silicone: Broad temp range; weaker against caustics.
  • FKM: Chemical hero; pricier and less elastic at low temps.

Water & Wastewater

Key Requirements
  • Chlorine, hypochlorite, ozone exposure
  • Fouling by solids; wide gap compatibility
  • Moderate temps: 30–80 °C, occasional steam cleaning
Top Materials
  • EPDM: –15 °C to 150 °C. Outstanding resistance to chlorinated water and ozone.
  • Neoprene (CR): –40 °C to 120 °C. Good for older chlorinated seawater; largely superseded by EPDM.
  • NBR: –40 °C to 110 °C. Use when oil/hydrocarbon traces exist.
  • PTFE: –200 °C to 260 °C. For highly corrosive effluents; combine with an elastomer for sealing
Pros & Cons
  • EPDM: Best overall for wastewater; limited hydrocarbon tolerance.
  • Neoprene: Decent ozone resistance; aging issues.
  • NBR: Oil ready; not ideal for strong oxidizers.
  • PTFE: Chemical inertness; needs support layer.

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