EPDM vs NBR vs Viton: How to Choose PHE Gasket Materials
EPDM vs NBR vs Viton: How to Choose PHE Gasket Materials
The short answer: match the rubber to your fluid and your temperature, not to price. Heat exchanger gasket material selection comes down to three names most of the time. EPDM for water and steam, NBR for oils and fuels, Viton for heat plus aggressive chemicals. Pick the wrong one and the gasket swells, hardens or cracks long before its time.
Start With the Duty, Not the Grade
Before choosing a material, write down three things: what flows through the unit, the working temperature, and how often it is cleaned. Those three answers rule most candidates in or out. A gasket that seals fine on 120°C water can fail in days in hot oil.
EPDM Plate Heat Exchanger Gasket
An EPDM plate heat exchanger gasket is the workhorse for hot water, steam and many dilute acids and bases. It resists ageing and ozone well and stays flexible across a wide band, roughly -40°C to +150°C【按工厂口径复核】. Skip it for oils, hydrocarbons and concentrated acids, where it swells.
NBR Heat Exchanger Gasket
An NBR heat exchanger gasket suits oils, fuels, greases and many hydrocarbons, plus plain water. Temperature is the trade-off: about -20°C to +110°C【按工厂口径复核】. NBR is not the grade for ozone, ketone solvents or very hot water.
Viton Gasket Plate Heat Exchanger
A Viton gasket plate heat exchanger unit takes the hard duties: high temperature up to about +200°C【按工厂口径复核】, mineral acids, oils and many solvents. Viton (also written FKM) is the premium grade and the most expensive, so use it only where EPDM or NBR will not survive. If the duty sits near the edge of EPDM's range and sees oil as well, Viton or the tougher HEPDM grades are the usual upgrade.
Quick Comparison
Material | Best for | Watch out for | Temp band*
EPDM | Hot water, steam, dilute acids | Oils, hydrocarbons | -40 to +150°C
NBR | Oils, fuels, water | Ozone, ketones, hot water | -20 to +110°C
Viton (FKM) | High temp, acids, oils | Cost | -20 to +200°C
*Confirm the working range with us before ordering. The figures above follow common engineering data and may be adjusted for your duty.
FAQ
Q: Which material is cheapest?
A: NBR usually, then EPDM, then Viton.
Q: Can I swap EPDM for NBR to save money?
A: Only if the fluid and temperature allow it. In water duty, stay with EPDM.
Still Not Sure Which Grade?
Send us the fluid, the working temperature and a photo of your old gasket. We will confirm the right material, match it to your plate and quote. Email info@newroc-phe.com.
