PROPERTIES
»Graphite is anisotropic.
Due to its crystalline structure, flexible graphite exhibits anisotropic characteristics with physical properties such as electrical and thermal conductivity and tensile strength.
»Graphite is resilient and compressible.
Flexible graphite recovers after compression protecting systems from load loss caused by bolt stretch.
»Graphite is thermally stable.
Dependable performance is assured from -240° C (400° F) to 3000° C (5400° F) in non-oxidizing atmospheres, and up to 450° C (850° F) in oxidizing environments for GT™A and GT™C when Graphite is shielded. For GT™B in oxidizing environments dependable performance is assured up to 525° C (975° F) when Graphite is shielded.
»Graphite is naturally lubricious.
Natural lubricity makes flexible graphite the ideal choice for gasket and seal applications where surface movement exists. Even in sliding movements, flexible graphite maintains the utmost in performance and sealability.
»Graphite is easily cut.
Using conventional tools, flexible graphite can be cut or molded into most required configurations. Flexible graphite is manufactured in both sheets and laminate forms (with or without metal and nonmetallic cores) and is offered in any thickness from 75 microns (0.003") to 1650 microns (0.065") in a variety of densities from 0.6 g/cm3 (40 lbs/ft3) to 1.5 g/cm3 (90 lbs/ft3).
APPLICATIONS
Flexible graphite is an extremely versatile sealing material made without binders, resins or other additives; it is the obvious choice for such internal combustion applications as:
- Gasoline/diesel engine head gaskets
- Exhaust manifold gaskets
- Exhaust ring seals
- Turbo charger gaskets
- Intake manifold and crossover gaskets
- Gas turbine seals and gaskets
- Heat shields
- Airbags
- Noise and vibration harshness
(NVH)
LAMINATES
Flexible graphite can be combined with various interlayer materials to improve performance and handling. Carbon Steel Tanged Metal, Aluminum and PTFE are available.
