Metal Clad PTFE Gasket

Need the strength of metal with the chemical resistance of PTFE? Taifno offers Metal Clad PTFE Gaskets for global buyers. The metal core provides structural strength, blowout resistance, and high-temperature capability far beyond polymer-only gaskets. The PTFE cover provides chemical resistance and a reliable sealing surface.

What Is a Metal Clad PTFE Gasket?

A Metal Clad PTFE Gasket consists of a solid metal core (typically 304/316 stainless steel, carbon steel, copper, or titanium) that is fully or partially covered by a PTFE jacket. The metal core provides structural strength, blowout resistance, and high-temperature capability far beyond polymer-only gaskets. The PTFE cover provides universal chemical resistance (pH 0-14) and a reliable sealing surface.

Structure:

Metal Core: Provides structural strength, blowout resistance, and high-temperature capability

PTFE Jacket: Provides universal chemical resistance (pH 0-14), non-stick surface, and protects the metal core from corrosion

Filler Core (Optional): Non-asbestos, graphite, or PTFE filler inside the metal core provides additional resilience

Key characteristics:

Metal strength: Handles extreme pressure (up to 100 MPa) and temperature (up to +700°C)

PTFE protection: PTFE jacket provides chemical resistance and prevents contamination

Large diameter capability: Up to DN5000 — ideal for heat exchangers and large vessels

Complex shapes: Can be manufactured in circular, oval, and rectangular shapes

Comparison & Selection Guide

PTFE Metal Jacketed vs Spiral Wound vs Type C vs Solid PTFE

Quick Selection Guide

Primary Applications

Technical Specifications

Metal Clad PTFE Gasket Properties

Available Metal Core Options

Quality Assurance

100% Virgin PTFE Resin — consistent quality, batch after batch

Premium Metal Core — high-strength, corrosion-resistant materials

Full Traceability — material certificates available on request

Custom Manufacturing — circular, oval, and rectangular shapes available

Large Diameter Capability — up to DN5000 (5 meters)

Lead Time — standard sizes 5-10 days; custom sizes 10-20 days depending on complexity

Case Study

At a fine chemical plant in Jiangsu, a glass-lined polymerization reactor equipped with a DN1200 manhole was operating under demanding thermal cycling conditions, with one temperature cycle between ambient temperature and 200℃ every day.

Although solid PTFE gaskets offered excellent chemical resistance, their lack of structural reinforcement caused creep deformation, stress relaxation, and reduced sealing pressure during repeated thermal cycling. As a result, leakage occurred after approximately one month of operation, affecting production continuity.

To overcome the challenges of high-temperature cycling and the sealing requirements of glass-lined equipment, PTFE-encapsulated gaskets with 304 stainless steel corrugated cores were installed as a replacement solution. The PTFE encapsulation layer provides outstanding chemical resistance, while the corrugated stainless steel core enhances mechanical strength, recovery performance, and resistance to thermal cycling.

After replacement, the gasket service life was extended from around 1 month to 10 months, significantly reducing maintenance frequency and improving the long-term reliability of the polymerization reactor.

FAQ

Q: Metal Clad PTFE Gasket vs spiral wound gasket, which one should I choose?

A: Both handle high pressure and high temperature, but they serve different applications.

Metal Clad PTFE Gasket: a solid metal core fully or partially covered in PTFE. Best for chemical service where PTFE chemical resistance is required, heat exchangers, large diameter flanges (up to DN5000), and complex shapes (circular, oval, rectangular).

Spiral wound gasket: V-shaped metal windings with filler (graphite/PTFE) between them. Best for high pressure, high temperature, steam, and standard ASME flange applications up to DN1500.

Quick rule:

Chemical service, large diameter, complex shapes → Metal jacketed.

High pressure, high temperature, steam, standard flanges → Spiral wound.

Q: What temperature and pressure can Metal Clad PTFE Gaskets handle?

A: Temperature: Up to +700°C depending on the metal core material, 304/316 SS up to +530°C, carbon steel up to +300°C, and Hastelloy/Inconel up to +700°C.

Pressure: Up to 100 MPa (100 bar).

Chemical: pH 0-14 universal resistance (PTFE cover).

The key difference from standard PTFE gaskets: The metal core enables far higher temperature and pressure capability, making them the preferred choice for heat exchangers and high-pressure vessels.

Size capability: Up to DN5000 (5 meters), significantly larger than spiral wound gaskets which are typically limited to DN1500.

Q: What are the limitations and what are the most common mistakes?

A: Temperature: Up to +280°C (depending on metal core).

Pressure: Up to 100 MPa.

Chemical: pH 0-14, PTFE jacket provides universal resistance, but the metal core can corrode if the PTFE jacket is damaged.

Three common mistakes:

(1) Using metal jacketed gaskets in applications where the PTFE jacket is not compatible: PTFE is not compatible with molten alkali metals or elemental fluorine at high temperatures.

(2) Over-tightening: while the metal core is strong, excessive compression can damage the PTFE jacket; use controlled torque.

(3) Wrong metal core selection: choose the right metal core for your temperature and media; carbon steel corrodes in salt water, 316 SS handles acidic environments better, titanium is best for marine applications.

We include installation specifications with every order.