Graphite Products & Graphite Gaskets

An innovative and high technological breakthrough state-of-the art sealing within your reach today. A crystalline allotropic form of carbon found naturally in graphite mines. It is a mineral that is mined in a similar way to coal with major deposits being in China, Madagascar, India, Canada and South America. The raw material has a graphite purity of 98% to 99.9% and is processed uniquely into Natural Expanded Mineral Graphite Flakes.

These flakes are chemically treated and heated in electric resistance furnaces under an extreme high temperature process and compressed to form a soft flexible foil with special properties. No binder or respirable fibres are used in the manufacturing process and material has many of the properties of a solid graphite at a high purity of 98% and 2% corrosion inhibitors and other deposits used for protection against stainless steel.

The material can be used on many applications from cryogenics at -200°C to an elevated temperature of +3000°C. It has excellent chemical resistance and is suitable for most organic and inorganic chemicals with the exception of strong oxidising compounds. It is non-toxic and can be used in contact with foodstuffs and potable water.

Pure graphite has superior properties to asbestos fibres and many man-made fibres. It is a non-fibrous material and has none of the health or handling problems associated with asbestos. It has a low sulphur content with a carbon ash of less than 0.5% in the mineral. Excellent in thermal electrical conductivity and prevents build up of static with very good creep resistance providing no cold or hot flow. The low coefficient of friction provides excellent sealing properties at low loadings and does not harden or age with unlimited shelf life.

Pure expanded mineral graphite flake or chip particles are subjected to laminar swelling and are subsequently calendared into flexible foil without the use of any separate binder, a feature which guarantees a high degree of purity not associated with other graphite derivatives. The foil is processed in a number of ways to adapt the unique properties of the material to a variety of sealing needs The raw material is a mineral that is mined in a similar way to coal.

The seal ability of graphite is akin to that associated with elastomeric materials but its temperature capability far exceeds that of even the most exotic rubber compound. Add to this an outstanding resistance to a wide range of organic and inorganic chemicals and it is easy to see why many regard graphite as one of the most important additions to the gasket manufacturer’s stock holding since the advent of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

Pure graphite is available in sheets or rolls and in a wide range of thicknesses 

Graphite crinkle tapes are made from pure graphite with the addition of a corrosion inhibitor.

Pure graphite tapes are patterned into a ribbon form with no impregnants, binders, additives, oils or greases which could possibly leave the packing and reduce its volume or contaminate the process media.

Tapes can be supplied plain or with the addition of a self adhesive backing on one side to aid fitting.

Available Sizes:

Thickness: 0.38mm, 0.5mm 

Length per spool : 15 to 30 meters or to customer requirement

Widths: 6.4mm, 9.5mm, 12.7mm, 15mm, 19.1mm, 25.4mm, 32.0mm, 38.0mm

Other widths available on request

Material Data: 

Purity : 98%                

Density : 1.0 to 1.1 g/cc

pH : 0-14 (except strong oxidizer's)

Op. Pressure : 450 bar to 700 bar max.

Temperature:

-240°C to +3000°C (Non-Oxid)

-240°C to + 500°C (Oxidising)

-240°C to + 650°C (Steam)

Construction: 

Expanded Mineral Graphite Tape with or without Pressure sensitive adhesive backing, Corrugated or smooth finish.

Installing Graphite Crinkle Gasket Tape:

1. Brush off any rust or foreign particles. Wipe flange surface thoroughly with a rag soaked in acetone or other suitable solvent to remove grease or oil.

2. Insert fingernail between paper backing strip and the tape and strip the paper back three to six inches. Draw a reference line in flange and press squared off end of tape against it.

3. Now, start laying the tape along the face of the flange, peeling the paper backing as you go. To prevent the adhesive surfaces of the tape from doubling back on themselves and sticking together, strip away only a few inches of paper at a time.

4. When the starting point has been reached, lap the tape not more than 1/16 inch and cut with a sharp blade.