Natural Graphite Sealing Material
Flexible Graphite
Graphite Foil, Reinforced Graphite Sheets and Graphite Tape for Sealing Applications in Power, Petroleum, Chemical and Machinery Industries
99.9%
Max carbon content
100×
Graphite expansion ratio
650°C
Working temperature in air
3000°C
In non-oxidizing media
Flexible graphite, also known as graphite foil or graphite paper, is a sealing material produced from natural flake graphite. The raw graphite is screened, treated with acid cleaning and expanded to more than 100 times its original volume, then pressed into flexible graphite foil without any binders or fillers.
GraphiteCentral supplies flexible graphite foil, graphite tape, adhesive-backed graphite foil and stainless steel reinforced graphite sheets for sealing applications in the electric power, petroleum, chemical processing and machinery industries. Materials are used in pumps, valves, pipes, flanges and many other sealing products.
What Is Flexible Graphite?
Flexible graphite is made by expanding expandable graphite at high temperature and calendering the expanded material into foil and sheets. The result is a pure graphite sealing material that keeps the natural properties of graphite while remaining soft, compressible and easy to fabricate.
It withstands temperatures from −200°C to 650°C in air and up to 3000°C in non-oxidizing media, resists corrosion and radiation, conducts heat and electricity, and offers a high compression rate, good rebound and low stress relaxation — everything a reliable industrial seal requires.
Why Choose Flexible Graphite?
High Temperature Resistance
Performs from −200°C to 650°C in air and up to 3000°C in non-oxidizing media.
Excellent Sealing Performance
High compression rate, good rebound rate and low stress relaxation for long-lasting, reliable seals.
Corrosion & Radiation Resistance
Withstands aggressive chemical media and radiation exposure in demanding industrial environments.
Thermal & Electrical Conductivity
Very good electrical and thermal conductivity inherited from pure natural graphite.
High Purity Options
Carbon content from 95% to 99.9%, with low sulfur and low chlorine grades available.
Flexible & Easy to Fabricate
Easily cut, punched, wrapped and die-formed into gaskets, packing rings and custom seals.
Flexible Graphite Product Forms
Graphite Foil
Rolls and sheets used for machine sealing, gasket production and other sealing products.
Graphite Tape
Narrow tape used for thread sealing and sealing flanges in piping systems.
Adhesive-Backed Foil & Tape
Graphite foil and tape with glue backing for fast, clean thread and flange sealing.
Reinforced Graphite Sheets
Graphite sheets reinforced with stainless steel (BFG304 / BFG316) for higher tensile strength.
Flexible Graphite Specifications
| Property | Graphite Foil | Reinforced Sheet BFG304 | Reinforced Sheet BFG316 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Content (%) | 95–99.9 available | ≥99.9 | ≥99.9 |
| Specific Resistance (μΩ·m) | 3–7 | – | 3–7 |
| Sulfur Content (PPM) | 0–1200 available | ≤1100 | ≤1200 |
| Chlorine Content (PPM) | ≤35 | ≤50 | ≤40 |
| Compressive Strength (MPa) | ≥160 | – | – |
| Flexural Strength (MPa) | ≥4.5 | – | – |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | – | ≥40 | ≥40 |
| Density (g/cm³) | 1 ± 0.05 | 1.25 ± 0.05 | 1.25 ± 0.05 |
| Compression Rate | ≥40% | 30–35% | 30–35% |
| Rebound Rate | – | 10–12% | 19% |
Custom Grades & Dimensions
Carbon content, sulfur content, thickness, width and roll length can be produced according to customer requirements. Contact us with your application details for the right grade recommendation.
Need flexible graphite foil, tape or custom gaskets? Send us your requirements.
Common Applications
Electric Power
- Steam and turbine sealing
- High-temperature gaskets
- Boiler and heat exchanger seals
- Valve stem packing
Petroleum & Chemical
- Pipe and flange sealing
- Seals for corrosive media
- Reactor and vessel gaskets
- Thread sealing tape
Machinery & Sealing
- Pump sealing
- Valve seals and packing
- Machine and cylinder gaskets
- Custom die-cut seals
Frequently Asked Questions
What is flexible graphite?
Flexible graphite is a sealing material made from natural flake graphite that is acid-treated, expanded to more than 100 times its volume and pressed into foil, sheets and tape without binders or fillers.
What temperatures can flexible graphite withstand?
Flexible graphite works from −200°C to 650°C in air and from −200°C up to 3000°C in non-oxidizing media, making it suitable for extreme high-temperature sealing applications.
What forms of flexible graphite are available?
We supply graphite foil in rolls and sheets, graphite tape for thread and flange sealing, adhesive-backed foil and tape, and stainless steel reinforced graphite sheets (BFG304 and BFG316).
What is reinforced graphite sheet?
Reinforced graphite sheet is flexible graphite laminated with a stainless steel insert (grade 304 or 316). The metal reinforcement raises tensile strength to 40 MPa and above, which is required for high-pressure gasket applications.
Where is flexible graphite used?
Flexible graphite is mainly used in the sealing industry — in electric power, petroleum and chemical processing — for machinery, pipes, pumps, valves, flanges and many other sealing applications.
Explore Other Graphite Products
Expandable Graphite
Flake Graphite
Isostatic Graphite
Looking for Flexible Graphite?
GraphiteCentral supplies flexible graphite foil, reinforced graphite sheets, graphite tape and custom sealing materials for industrial applications worldwide.