During exploitation of the heat exchangers some damages can appear in the contact region between the gaskets and the stainless steel walls. The studies upon the material were performed using SEM microscopy, X-ray diffractometry and the finite element method. The obtained data allow the explanation of the complex damage mechanism of the heat exchanger wall. Following our research, the manufacturing technology of the heat exchangers was changed and this way the rebuts were eliminated. The

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... d research is based upon physical methods and the damage mechanism of the heat exchanger plates is explained by means of the physical phenomena that appear and develop during working conditions.