Gaskets are materials used to seal one compartment of a device ...
Gaskets are materials used to seal one compartment of a device ...
Gaskets are materials used to seal one compartment of a device ...
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market in the case <strong>of</strong> an asbes<strong>to</strong>s ban (Palmet<strong>to</strong> Packing 1986, ICF l986a).<br />
5. Graphite<br />
Flexible graphite was developed by Union Carbide Corp.<br />
about twenty<br />
years ago. The material is made from natural flake graphite, which is<br />
expanded several hundred times in<strong>to</strong> a light, fluffy material by mixing it with<br />
nitric or sulfuric acid. It is then calendered in<strong>to</strong> a sheet (without<br />
additives or binders) (Chem. Eng. News 1986). It can then be processed in<strong>to</strong><br />
packings by standard techniques. Other forms <strong>of</strong> graphite <strong>are</strong> also available<br />
(e.g., carbonized viscose rayon and other fibrous graphite <strong>materials</strong>) that<br />
have similar properties. All graphite <strong>materials</strong> will be grouped <strong>to</strong>gether for<br />
convenience and because their properties <strong>are</strong><br />
similar.<br />
Graphite <strong>materials</strong> <strong>are</strong> extremely heat resistant and inherently fire-safe<br />
(because it does not contain binders). Graphite packings <strong>are</strong> suitable for<br />
applications where the operating temperatures reach 5000°Fin non-oxidizing<br />
atmospheres. In the presence <strong>of</strong> oxygen, the material is limited <strong>to</strong> use below<br />
800°F(Chem. Eng. News 1986). The packinghas excellent chemical resistance<br />
with the exception <strong>of</strong> strong mineral acids.<br />
Graphite-containing packings <strong>are</strong> <strong>of</strong>ten <strong>used</strong><br />
in oil refineries and oil<br />
fields because <strong>of</strong> its high temperature resistance. Often, in these high<br />
temperature, high pressure applications, a wire insert is added for increased<br />
strength (OGJ 1986).<br />
Graphite <strong>materials</strong> <strong>are</strong> fairly expensive, but the addition <strong>of</strong> various<br />
fillers helps keep the cost competitive with other substitute <strong>materials</strong><br />
(Palmet<strong>to</strong> Packing 1986). Graphite packings cost about two times as much as<br />
asbes<strong>to</strong>s packings on a per weight basis and costs <strong>are</strong> estimated <strong>to</strong> be $60.40<br />
per pound (Union Carbide 1987). Industry <strong>of</strong>ficials project this substitute’s<br />
market sh<strong>are</strong> as 10 percent <strong>of</strong> the <strong>to</strong>tal asbes<strong>to</strong>s packing market (Palmet<strong>to</strong><br />
Packing 1986,<br />
ICF 1986a).<br />
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