Gasket Types in Plate Heat Exchangers
The types of gaskets used in plate heat exchangers are:
Slit-in Gasket (Glue-free type)
The slit-in gasket—often referred to as the “clip-on gasket”—is engineered for rapid replacement and minimal downtime. This glue-free design is ideal for industries demanding frequent sanitation or inspection, such as water treatment, dairy processing, or pharmaceuticals. Additionally, these gaskets reduce doors associated with adhesive application and minimize residual contaminants.
EPDM Gasket
Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) gaskets are recommended for processes involving high temperatures or aggressive chemicals. EPDM gaskets retain elasticity and sealing performance far longer than standard rubber gaskets, making them ideal for heat exchanger operations where reliability and resistance to steam, glycol, or acidic cleaning agents are necessary.
PTFE Cushion Gaskets (TCG)
PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) cushion gaskets are engineered for highly corrosive or chemically aggressive fluid media, outlasting typical synthetic rubber alternatives. Their elastic core requires less tightening torque, minimizing the risk of heat exchanger plate deformation. PTFE gaskets are commonly used in petrochemical processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and any processes requiring the highest standards of chemical resistance. Generally, a TCG gasket is placed on one side with a conventional gasket on the other when one stream is corrosive and the other is non-corrosive.