The Advantages of Flexible Graphite Gaskets


Flexible graphite gaskets have outstanding resistance to corrosion against a wide variety of acids, alkalies and salt solutions, organic compounds, and heat transfer fluids, even in high temperature applications. Gaskets cut from flexible graphite sheet are an excellent choice for severe service applications in general industrial, petrochemical, pulp and paper, mining, and chemical applications.

Flexible graphite sheet is manufactured from mineral graphite (expandable flake graphite) and contains a carbon content of between 95 percent and 99 percent. The amount of carbon present in the sheet is a key determinant of its flexibility: the higher the percentage of carbon present, the more flexible the sheet.

As noted above, flexible graphite gaskets possess excellent resistance to corrosive chemicals, high temperatures and high pressures. These properties make flexible graphite gaskets an ideal choice for severe service applications. In addition, flexible graphite gaskets provide good resistance to abrasive media, while also offering excellent thermal conductivity and material conformability which results in a superior seal.

Canada Rubber Group Inc. (CRGI) provides flexible graphite gaskets cut from sheet manufactured by Teadit North America. Styles of Teadit sheet from which we manufacture flexible graphite gaskets include the following:

2660/1660 Homogenous Flexible Graphite Sheet

Style 2660 flexible graphite sheet has pressure-temperature sealability capabilities that are far superior to all asbestos reinforced and non-asbestos reinforced sheet products. It is resistant to chemical attack by virtually all organic and inorganic fluids with the exception of concentrated, highly oxidizing acids. Gaskets cut from Style 2660 flexible graphite sheet seal with low to moderate bolt loads and because of very low creep relaxation, re-torquing is rarely required. Flexible graphite conforms to irregular flange sealing surfaces and readily flows into flange irregularities enabling it to seal both smooth and coarse surface finishes.

2661/1661 Stainless Steel Flexible Graphite Sheet, Foil Inserted

Style 2661/1661 is a flexible graphite sheet reinforced with a 316 stainless steel foil, .002” thick. The flexible graphite sheet is made from exfoliated graphite flake which is compressed into foil by a carefully controlled calendaring process. In this process, the expanded flake particles are mechanically locked together without the use of fibers, binders or other additives. Sheets of foil are then adhesive bonded and laminated to the required thickness with the 316 stainless steel foil core in the center.

2663/1663 Flexible Graphite Sheet, Tanged Core

Style 2663/1663 is a flexible graphite sheet reinforced with a 316 stainless steel tanged core, .005” thick. The flexible graphite sheet is made from exfoliated graphite flake which is compressed into foil by a carefully controlled calendering process. In this process, the expanded flake particles are mechanically locked together without the use of fibers, binders or other additives. Sheets of graphite foil are then adhesive bonded and laminated to the required thickness with the 316 stainless steel tanged core in the center.

2664/1664 Flexible Graphite Sheet, Mylar Film Inserted

Style 2664/1664 is a flexible graphite sheet reinforced with Mylar film, .0005” thick. The flexible graphite sheet is made from exfoliated graphite flake which is compressed into foil by a carefully controlled calendering pro­cess. In this process, the expanded flake particles are mechanically locked together without the use of fibers, binders or other additives. Sheets of graphite foil are then adhesive bonded and laminated to the required thickness with the Mylar film in the center.

CRGI has over 25 years of experience in manufacturing precision-cut flexible graphite gaskets for industrial fluid sealing applications. All gaskets we manufacture are produced to customer specifications and requirements using the latest manufacturing processes, including water jet cutting, flex/flash cutting, and die cutting.

CRGI flexible graphite gaskets are produced from sheet material supplied by Teadit North America. Flexible graphite gaskets produced from Teadit sheet material are available in the following thicknesses: 1/64”, 1/32”, 1/16”, and 1/8” thicknesses. Gaskets can be supplied with or without pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) backing.

For further information on the flexible graphite gaskets we can supply, please contact our sales department at crg@canadarubbergroup.com.