Heat exchanger gaskets are generally classified into several types, including tube box gaskets, floating head gaskets, tube box side gaskets, external cover gaskets, and head cover gaskets. Different gasket types are used depending on the tube pass. Multi-pass heat exchangers typically require different types of ribs on the inner ring of the gasket.
Commonly used shell-and-tube heat exchanger gaskets include oil-resistant asbestos rubber gaskets, asbestos-free gaskets, graphite composite gaskets, metal spiral wound gaskets, metal-clad gaskets, metal toothed gaskets, and metal corrugated composite gaskets. Different types of heat exchanger gaskets have different performance characteristics; their temperature resistance, media resistance, and pressure resistance vary significantly. Therefore, the selection of heat exchanger gaskets should be based on the requirements of the design drawings and should not be arbitrarily changed, including the gasket type and material. For example, if the design drawings require tube box or floating head gaskets to have segmented ribs, or require the gasket to be machined as a single unit, it must be manufactured according to these requirements.
