In plate heat exchangers, the most critical factor determining not only performance but also service life is the correct selection of plate material. Choosing the wrong material can lead to corrosion, premature wear, and system failures. So, which material is suitable for which fluid? Let’s take a closer look.
SS316L (Stainless Steel)
- Applications: Municipal water, glycol, hot water, HVAC systems
- Advantage: Cost-effective and the most commonly used material.
- Limitation: Not recommended for aggressive or high-chloride fluids.
Titanium
- Applications: Seawater and brackish water applications
- Advantage: Excellent corrosion resistance.
- Limitation: Expensive, therefore used only when necessary.
Hastelloy (C-276, etc.)
- Applications: Acidic and aggressive chemicals (e.g., HCl, H₂SO₄, NaOH solutions)
- Advantage: Outstanding chemical resistance.
- Limitation: Used in very specific applications and is highly costly.
Selecting the right plate material is the key to ensuring your heat exchanger operates reliably and has a long service life. Therefore, a thorough fluid analysis must be carried out before making a material selection.
At Refkar Cooling, we provide tailored plate and gasket material selection, along with thermal calculations and product recommendations to meet your needs.
Overview Table: Recommended Materials for Different Fluids?
