How to Choose the Right Tri-Clamp Gasket (Material Comparison)
How to Choose the Right Tri-Clamp Gasket: Material Guide
Selecting the correct gasket material is as critical as choosing the right fittings or tubing. The gasket sits at the sealing interface, and its chemical resistance, temperature tolerance, and sealing characteristics all impact the performance and safety of a sanitary system.
This guide compares the most common gasket materials used in Tri-Clamp fittings — Buna-N (NBR), EPDM, PTFE, and Viton/FKM — and explains how to select the right one for your process.
Common Gasket Materials and Their Properties
Each gasket material offers specific strengths and trade-offs depending on temperature, chemical exposure, and cleaning requirements.
Buna-N (Nitrile)
- Cost-effective and widely used for general food, beverage, and water services.
- Good resilience and sealing under moderate temperature and pressure.
- Not recommended for continuous exposure to steam, aggressive acids/alkalis, or high-temperature CIP/SIP.
- Best for ambient-temperature, neutral-pH applications with mild cleaning cycles.
EPDM
- Excellent resistance to hot water, steam, mild acids/alkalis, and many common cleaning chemicals.
- Outstanding performance in standard CIP applications.
- Good elasticity and compression-set behavior, helpful for repeated assembly/disassembly cycles.
- Not compatible with oils, fats, or hydrocarbon-based solvents.
- Best for dairies, breweries, and general food processing needing dependable CIP compatibility.
PTFE (Teflon)
- Exceptional chemical resistance — inert to acids, caustics, solvents, and the majority of CIP detergents.
- Excellent performance in high-temperature or aggressive cleaning environments.
- Near-zero absorption and minimal product adhesion — ideal for preventing flavor or allergen carryover.
- More rigid than elastomer gaskets; may require careful clamp torque for a proper seal.
- Often the first choice for pharmaceutical, biotech, or high-purity applications.
Viton / FKM
- Fluoroelastomer with high resistance to oils, solvents, acids, and aggressive cleaning agents.
- Suitable for high-temperature sealing and chemically demanding CIP programs.
- Excellent compression-set resistance and long sealing life in challenging environments.
- Often used in pharmaceutical, chemical, nutraceutical, or high-acid beverage processing.
How to Choose — Decision Factors
When selecting a Tri-Clamp gasket material, consider the following:
- Product Composition: Neutral, acidic, oily, solvent-based, or high-salinity fluids.
- Cleaning Program: Hot-water CIP, chemical CIP, caustic/acid cycles, or SIP.
- Temperature Range: Maximum operating temperature and thermal cycling frequency.
- Process Sensitivity: Flavor carryover, allergen control, or pharmaceutical purity.
- Frequency of Disassembly: Systems taken apart often may benefit from a more elastic elastomer (EPDM, Buna-N) versus rigid PTFE.
- Budget vs Performance: Elastomers cost less; PTFE or FKM deliver superior chemical resistance and longevity.
Quick Reference: Best-Fit Materials by Application
| Application / Requirement | Recommended Gasket Material |
|---|---|
| General brewery, beverage, dairy (hot-water CIP) | EPDM or Buna-N |
| Acidic, salty, or high-corrosion-risk products | PTFE or Viton/FKM |
| Pharma, biotech, high-purity applications | PTFE (first choice), Viton/FKM (if elastomer needed) |
| Solvents, oils, aggressive cleaning chemicals | Viton/FKM or PTFE |
| Frequent assembly/disassembly | EPDM or Buna-N |
Need Help Selecting Gasket Materials?
PNW Sanitary stocks a full selection of Tri-Clamp gaskets in Buna-N, EPDM, PTFE, and Viton/FKM. Choosing the correct gasket material is essential for reliable sealing, long component life, and maintaining hygienic performance.
If you're unsure which gasket type fits your process, our team is happy to help.