Tri-Clamp (Tri-Clover) Wire Mesh Screen Gasket Material Selection Guidance

In hygienic and industrial fluid systems, the proper selection of Tri-Clamp gaskets is essential to ensure reliable sealing, chemical compatibility, and long-term performance under varying process conditions.

This guide provides a comparative overview of five commonly used Tri-Clamp gasket materials – FKM, EPDM, Silicone, PTFE, and NBR – outlining their key properties, advantages, limitations, and suitable application environments.

Three different weaving methods of Tri-Clamp gaskets

FKM (Fluoroelastomer)

Features
- High-temperature resistance: Capable of sustained operation from -20°C to +200°C (short-term exposure up to 230°C).
- Exceptional chemical resistance: Highly resistant to oils, fuels, acids, alkalis, and solvents (particularly aromatic and chlorinated solvents).
- Aging and ozone resistance: Stable performance with extended service life.
- Relatively Stiff: Compression set is less favorable than EPDM or silicone.
Applications
- High-temperature CIP/SIP systems.
- Processes involving fuels, greases, or strong chemicals.
- Used in pharmaceutical, semiconductor, and chemical industries.

Note: Not recommended with ketones, esters, or amine-based media.

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer)

Features
- Superior resistance to water, steam, and ozone.
- Compatible with polar chemicals such as alcohols and ketones.
- Excellent low-temperature flexibility (down to -50 °C).
- Poor resistance to oils and hydrocarbons.
- Available in FDA-compliant grades for food applications.
Applications
- Food and beverage processing (beer, dairy, juice).
- CIP cleaning systems, water treatment, HVAC.
- Any environment involving water, steam, hot water, or alkaline solutions without oil presence.

Note: Avoid contact with oils or hydrocarbon solvents.

Silicone (Silicone Rubber)

Features
- Excellent temperature resistance: Operates reliably from -60 °C to +200 °C.
- High purity and low toxicity: Meets FDA, USP Class VI, and EC1935/2004 standards.
- Good electrical insulation.
- Limited mechanical strength and wear resistance.
- High gas permeability; good resistance to water and ozone, moderate to solvents.
Applications
- Used in high-hygiene industries such as food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology.
- Suitable for equipment requiring frequent high-temperature sterilization.
- Ideal for low-temperature applications such as freeze-drying.

Note: Not suitable for high-pressure or oil-rich systems.

PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene)

Features
- Highly inert: Resistant to nearly all chemicals, including strong acids, alkalis, and oxidizers.
- Extremely wide temperature range: -200 °C to +260 °C.
- Very low friction and excellent non-stick properties.
- Rigid plastic material, not an elastomer.
- Non-elastic; seals by plastic deformation, requiring higher sealing pressure.
Applications
- Ideal for highly corrosive chemical environments, including strong acids, alkalis, and solvents.
- Suitable for high-purity applications such as semiconductors and fine chemicals.
- Withstands high-temperature operations in chemically aggressive conditions.

Note: May experience cold flow (creep); periodic retightening recommended.

Buna (Nitrile Rubber, NBR)

Features
- Excellent resistance to oils and fuels, including mineral oils, vegetable oils, fats, gasoline, and diesel.
- Good mechanical strength and abrasion resistance.
- Moderate water resistance; prolonged exposure to water or steam reduces performance.
- Limited temperature range: -30 °C to +100 °C (short-term up to 120 °C).
- Poor resistance to ozone and strong oxidizers.
Applications
- Industrial machinery using oils, lubricants, or fuels.
- General-purpose oil-resistant seals.

Note: Unsuitable for sanitary systems or CIP/SIP cleaning due to poor steam and chemical resistance.

Selecting the correct gasket material is essential to achieving reliable sealing performance and chemical compatibility in sanitary and industrial processes.

FKM and PTFE excel in chemical and temperature resistance; EPDM and Silicone are ideal for hygienic, steam-based applications; while NBR remains a practical choice for oil-based mechanical systems.