The Material of Construction (MOC) of a Plate Heat Exchanger (PHE) depends on the type of fluids, temperature, pressure, and corrosion resistance requirements. Here’s a breakdown of commonly used materials:
1. Plate Materials
Material
Properties
Typical Applications
Stainless Steel (SS 304 / SS 316)
Corrosion-resistant, durable, cost-effective
Food & beverage, HVAC, clean water systems
Titanium
Excellent corrosion resistance (esp. to seawater, chlorides)
Marine, offshore, desalination
Hastelloy
Highly resistant to strong acids and harsh chemicals
Chemical and pharmaceutical industries
Nickel / Inconel
Resistant to high temperatures and corrosive environments
Specialty chemical, nuclear
SMO 254
High strength, superior chloride resistance
Seawater applications, pulp & paper
Copper / Copper Alloys (less common)
High thermal conductivity
Special HVAC or low-corrosion applications
2. Gasket Materials
Gasket Material
Temperature Range
Chemical Resistance
Use Case
Nitrile (NBR)
-40°C to +120°C
Good for oils, water
HVAC, engine cooling
EPDM
-50°C to +150°C
Good for water, steam, mild chemicals
Food processing, water treatment
Silicone
-60°C to +230°C
Moderate chemical resistance
Food and pharma
PTFE (Teflon)
Up to 260°C
Excellent resistance
Aggressive chemicals
3. Frame and Pressure Plate Materials
Material
Use Case
Carbon Steel (painted)
Standard, low-cost applications
Stainless Steel
Corrosive environments or where hygiene is critical
Epoxy Coated Steel
Extra corrosion resistance at a lower cost than full SS
