Plate heat exchanger gaskets are the main force in the sealing performance of heat exchangers. Damaged gaskets directly lead to heat exchanger leakage. Today we will take a look at the major elements that heat exchanger gaskets should have!


1. Incompressibility: Synthetic rubber can change its shape like a fluid. Of course, it cannot flow. When the squeezing force after pressure change disappears, it returns to its original shape.


2. Plasticity: By adjusting the formula, it can not only meet the requirements of use, but also have enough plasticity, so that it can be tightly combined with the metal surface under appropriate pressure, so as to realize the sealing function (the shape of the gasket and the groove of the sealing plate 
The shape is consistent).

3. Penetration resistance: The three-dimensional polymer network structure of synthetic rubber can resist the penetration of various chemical media (media resistance).


4. Temperature resistance performance: The rubber in polymer materials has a shortcoming, that is, its temperature resistance performance can only be applied to a relatively narrow temperature range. Therefore, it is very important to carefully choose the material formula according to the different temperature.


5. Service life: Compared with old materials, many new synthetic materials have the characteristics of long service life. This is due to the use of new additives, which further extend the service life. 
In this regard, it is very important to correctly choose the formula of synthetic materials. All rubber-based synthetic materials will experience stress relaxation during use. During use, due to changes in the chemical composition of the synthetic materials, the initial role of the seal will gradually weaken. 
When the sealing performance is below the limit, leakage will inevitably occur.



You must pay attention to the several major elements of plate heat exchanger gaskets to avoid heat exchanger leakage!