Flexible Graphite Physical & Mechanical Properties

Typical Properties Related to Sealing Applications

Tensile Strength: 725 psi (4.9 Mpa)
Compressive Strength (ASTM C-695): 35000 psi / 240 MPa (Through Thickness)
Compressibility (ASTM F-36): 43%

Recovery (ASTM F36): 15%
Creep Relaxation (ASTM F-38): < 5%

Sealability (ASTM F-37): 0.017 fluid oz/hr ( 0.5 ml/hr)

Working Temperature Range:

Oxidizing Medium(such as air): -400º F to 950º F (-240ºC to 510ºC)
Mild Oxidizing Medium of most gasket applications (such as steam): -400º F to 1500º F(-240ºC to 850º C)
Non-oxidizing Medium: -400º F to 5400º F(-240ºC to 3000º C)

Other Physical Properties of Flexible Graphite

(Information from independent research labs as reference purpose only)

Thermal Conductivity:

Through Thickness (“c”) 36 BTU·in/ft2·h·F (5 W/m·K)

Parallel to Surface(“a”) 960 BTU·in/ft2·h·F (140 W/m·K)

Thermal Expansion:

Through Thickness (“c”) 70°F to 4000°F (21°C to 2206°C) 15 x 10-6 in/in·F (27 x 10^-6 m/m·°C)

Parallel to Surface (“a”) 70°F to 2000°F (21°C to 1094°C) -0.2 x 10-6 in/in·F (-0.4 x 10^-6 m/m·°C);

2000°F to 4000°F(1094°C to 2206°C) 0.5 x 10-6 in/in·F (0.9 x 10^-6 m/m·°C)

Electrical Resistivity (Density 70 lbs/cu.ft, load 0 psi, room temperature):

Through Thickness (“c”) 15 Ω·m,

Parallel to Surface (“a”) 7 x 10^-3Ω·m

Coefficient of Friction (against Steel): @ 4 psi (0.03 MPa) 0.018; @ 8 psi (0.06 MPa) 0.052; @ 12 psi (0.08 MPa) 0.157

Modulus of Elasticity: 0.2 x 106 psi (1380 MPa)

Young’s Compressive Modulus(Through Thickness): 27000 psi (186 MPa)

Nuclear Radiation Resistance:
5.5 x 1021 NVT @ 1000°C No Apparent Effect
1.5 x 109 rads Gamma Radiation(1.5 x 1011 erg/g) No Apparent Effect
(N= Neutrons/cc V= cm/sec T= Seconds)