Graphite Solutions for Tomorrow's Innovations
Flexible graphite is a structural compact foil (paper) or sheet made by chemically treating ordinary graphite powder to obtain graphite interlayer compound, and then expanding it at high temperature to get expanded graphite, which is then pressed, baked at high temperature and impregnated. It retains the excellent properties of natural graphite while adding its unique flexibility, resilience, and sealing performance. It can be made into flexible graphite products and graphite sealing products. It is widely used in the sealing of valves, pumps, and reaction vessels under high temperature, high pressure, and corrosion-resistant media. Recently, flexible graphite has been widely used to make fuel cell bipolar plates. In addition to maintaining the electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance of graphite, its simple preparation process also makes it an excellent material for reducing bipolar plate costs.
| Model | Carbon Content | Specific Resistance (μΩ·m) | Sulfur Content (ppm) | Chlorin Content (ppm) | Compressive Strength (Mpa) | Flexural Strength (Mpa) | Tensile Strength (Mpa) | Density (g/cm3) | Compressing Modulus | Rebounding Modulus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GF-2 | 95%–99.9% | 3–7 | 0–1200 | ≤ 35 | ≥ 160 | ≥ 4.5 | – | 1.0(±0.05) | ≥ 40% | – |
| GP-3 | ≥ 99.9% | – | ≤ 1100 | ≤ 50 | – | – | ≥ 40 | 1.25(±0.05) | 30%–35% | 10%–12% |
| GP-4 | ≥ 99.9% | 3–7 | ≤ 1200 | ≤ 40 | – | – | ≥ 40 | 1.25(±0.05) | 30%–35% | 19% |
Notes:
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Flexible graphite foil is an excellent sealing material for high temperature, high pressure transfer of liquids, gases, steams, chemicals and corrosives. This material is made of high purity, high crystalline natural flake graphite, which goes through special acid and heat treatment to produce expanded graphite crystals. The expanded graphite crystals are then formed into foil through a calendaring process without any resins and binders.
Flexible graphite sheets are the basic materials for manufacturing various graphite composite sheets, graphite belts, packing, and sealing gaskets. This material is made from natural flake graphite that is chemically treated and then rolled after high temperature expansion without any resins and binders. It has high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, radiation resistance, low creep relaxation rate, and excellent flexibility.
Flexible graphite gaskets are punched or cut from flexible graphite sheets, and have good corrosion resistance, high/low temperature resistance, good compression resilience, and high strength. They are widely used in pipelines, valves, pumps, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, condensers, etc.
Flexible graphite packing are braided from flexible graphite yarns, which are reinforced by cotton fiber, glass fiber, carbon fiber, etc. It has a very low friction and will not damage shafts and stems. Besides, ti has good thermal conductivity, chemical resistance and high resilience. It can be used in valves, pumps, expansion joints, mixers and agitators in high pressure and high temperature conditions and especially suitable for harsh media conditions.
