TECHNICAL GUIDE

PAPYEX
FLEXIBLE GRAPHITE

Sealing applications

Markets
Mersen is one of the oldest manufacturers of flexible graphite
in the world. Papyex quality is demanded, through technical
specifications, by many end users engaged in the chemical,
nuclear, aeronautical, refining sectors, etc.
Through Papyex, Mersen guarantees for its partners, experts
in sealing products, reliability, service and performance, in particular in terms of resistance to oxidation.

Static gaskets
Papyex, by virtue of its chemical, physical and mechanical
characteristics, is an excellent material for flange gaskets.
Papyex flange gaskets have the following
advantages:
Excellent properties for use under pressure and
temperature.
Insensitivity to thermal shocks.
No ageing: neither shrinkage, nor hardening, nor
hot creep.
Practically unlimited chemical resistance.
Non-polluting (asbestos-free).
Easy to cut and shape.
The main fields of use are: chemical and petrochemical industries, refineries, and the energy, engineering and automotive sectors.

Dynamic gaskets
Seals produced from Papyex are self-lubricating. They resist
high temperatures, high pressures and chemical agents.
Regular inspection and periodic replacements are
not necessary.
Papyex is a flexible, pure, homogeneous material without binder or asbestos. It is characterised by its qualities of thermal conductivity,
elastic recovery, capacity for compacting,
friction even when dry, and chemical inertness.
Papyex seals, by virtue of the absence
of ageing and relaxation, avoid retightening and eliminate wear on rods and
shafts.
Papyex is used as a stuffing-box material
for valves, pumps, mixers and stirrers in the
chemical, refrigeration, oil, petrochemical
and food industries.
This material guarantees long service life:
a Papyex seal means 35,000 operations, and
several years of use without leakage and without
maintenance.

Mersen in furnace industries

 eat-treatment furnaces under vacuum or controlled
H
atmosphere.
Furnaces for passing through controlled atmosphere.
Vacuum brazing furnaces.
Mersen offers a complete range of high-performance
materials for industrial furnaces:
Calcarb: rigid carbon felt insulation.
Graphite for refractory application
Carbon/carbon composite.
Papyex: flexible graphite.
Associated with other Mersens materials Papyex has become
the essential material for overcoming numerous technical difficulties at the best cost for industrial furnace users.

Why Papyex in furnaces?

A
 s a screen: thanks to its reflecting capacity, it reduces energy loss. The anisotropy of its thermal conductivity
ensures a better homogenisation of the temperature in the chamber.
As a thermal insulation element: it can be used alone, in multiple screens, or in addition to commonplace insulating materials: carbon felt, rigid felt, graphite foam.
As a sealing material: in plants functioning at high temperatures and in a corrosive environment, it is impermeable to hot gas and can be used as a static gasket or impervious packing.

Assemblies with insulators

Papyex is used in combination with insulators for limiting hot spots
and for its heat-reflecting capacity.
The assemblies can be produced on rigid insulators such as
Calcarb or on flexible felt.
To make these assemblies, Mersen uses an adhesive that withstands very high temperatures.

Resistance to thermal shocks

During a rapid rise in temperature, the gases contained in Papyex
may cause blisters on the surface of the material. To avoid this inconvenience,
Papyex FHT is first treated at high temperature, which eliminates this risk.
Moreover, on request, the surface of Papyex can be perforated to facilitate degassing.

Other applications

Electrical resistance in furnaces

Thanks to its flexibility and fineness, Papyex can be cut easily, thereby making it possible to manufacture curved resistors that adapt to non-standard laboratory equipment.

Protective interface
For metal casting, Papyex provides protection for graphite moulds and ingot
moulds preventing the sticking of certain metals and alloys; it prevents a rapid
deterioration of expensive equipment and facilitates mould stripping.
In the glass industry, Papyex is not wet by molten or viscous glass.
In hot compression operations and in particular in the case of sintering,
the thinnest Papyex makes it possible to produce inserts that facilitate mould
stripping and better temperature distribution.
In soldering or brazing, in particular in the case of work on delicate assemblies,
Papyex is used to protect against splashing
of adjacent areas that would risk being
damaged.
In producing ingots, Papyex is used
for protecting the graphite equipment
from reactions with the silicon. For this
type of application, Papyex can be
purified (less than 5 ppm).

Heat dissipation product

The conductivity of Papyex in the plane of the sheet increases greatly
with an increase in density (see graph page 9). This material can
then be used for dissipating heat with performances equivalent
to conductive metals such as copper. In electronics, it
thus serves as a thermal interface and heat sink. Its
lightness and reasonable cost, makes it competitive compared to other solutions.

manufacture

natural graPhite
Flexible graphite is manufactured from purified natural graphite crystallites. The
best graphite ores are mainly extracted in China, Canada, India and Madagascar.
In order to obtain good-quality flexible graphite, it is necessary to select ores
having crystallites with dimensions greater than 180 m.

exPanDable graPhite
Graphite has the property of forming lamellar compounds by the insertion of atoms or molecules in its structure. This property is used for manufacturing expandable graphite by acid
insertion. The inserted compound reacts to a thermal shock at very high temperature: the
insertion element vaporises and expands each graphite crystallite.

Expanded
graphite

Expandable
graphite

Roll sheet

Characteristics
Low permeability to gases and liquids
Flexibility, flexible texture
Resistance to most fluids
Absence of danger to health; asbestos-free
No danger to the environment
Suitable for use at temperatures varying from -250C
to 450C in air and up to 3000C in inert atmosphere
Absence of binders causing neither ageing nor
crumbling

Long-term compressibility stability over a wide range

of temperatures
High elastic recovery
Anisotropic electrical and thermal conductivity
Resistance to radiation
Very good resistance to thermal shock
Facilitates cutting by punch

sealing products

Papyex tape slit

from a roll.

Spiral wound
gasket: Co-winding
of Papyex and
steel.

Minimum width: 4.5 mm.

Graphite rings
with or without
metal insert
obtained by
compressing
Papyex tapes.

Papyex roll
Standard width:
500, 1.000, 1.500 mm.

Flat gasket cut by

punch, water jet,
oscillating blade.

Standard density:
0.7g / cm3 to 1.1g / cm3.
Standard thickness:
0.2 to 1.5 mm in roll form
up to 10 mm in plate form.

Papyex hP:
multi-reinforcement
gasket easy to
cut by conventional
means.

Reinforced sheets assembled by

gluing or clinched with tanged inserts.

Papyex grades
For more than 30 years, Mersen has been rigorously selecting and processing the best natural graphite ores in order to guarantee its clients compliance with the strictest standards for industrial,
nuclear and automotive sealing.
The wide range of Papyex grades can meet the most advanced requirements for chemical purity
in order to minimise risks of corrosion and extend its use beyond 450C.
Specific anti-corrosion and anti-oxidation treatments further extend its use under extreme
conditions.

Flexible graphite meeting sealing requirements

Chemical, petrochemical industries

Automotive

I600

I980

IZ980

IP980

A960

Low oxidation
rate

Standard purity

With corrosion
inhibitor

With oxidation
inhibitor

Low purity

specification

typical
value

specification

typical
value

specification

typical
value

specification

typical
value

specification

typical
value

Carbon rate

> 99%

99.40%

> 98%

99.25%

> 92%

96.25%

> 95%

97.90%

> 96%

98.45%

Ash content

< 1%

0.60%

< 2%

0.75%

< 2%

0.75%

< 2%

0.75%

< 4%

2%

2% to 6%

3%

1% to 3%

1.35%

Inhibitor rate

Sulfur content

< 700 ppm

500 ppm

< 1.400 ppm

700 ppm

< 1.400 ppm

650 ppm

< 800 ppm

650 ppm

1.400 ppm

1.000 ppm

Total chlorine content

< 50 ppm

25 ppm

< 50 ppm

25 ppm

< 50 ppm

25 ppm

< 50 ppm

25 ppm

80 ppm

50 ppm

Mass loss (500C / 24h)

< 0.5%

0.10%

< 4%

1.50%

< 4%

1.50%

< 0.5%

0.20%

< 10%

5%

Mass loss (670C / 4h)

< 4%/h

3%

Maximum operating
temperature:
to air

550 C

450 C

450 C

550 C

450 C

under an inert atmoshere

2.700 C

2.700 C

2.700 C

2.700 C

2.700 C

Physical properties

General properties
specification

typical value

Tensile strength
(D=1g / cm3)

> 4 Mpa

4.5 Mpa

Compressibility

45% to 52%

45% to 52%

Elastic recovery

10% to 15%

10% to 15%

+ / -5%

3.50%

Area weight distribution

(g / m2)

unit

in plane

through thickness

cm2.s-1.atm-1

10-5

C2

25

25

10 . C
10-6 . F-1
.cm
.inch

zero
zero
0.001
0.0004

25 to 28
14 to 15
0.05
0.02

at 400C

0.4

0.4

at 1 000C

0.6

0.6

Permeability
Shore hardness
Coefficient of thermal
expansion
Electrical resistivity

-6

-1

Emissivity coefficient

Flexible graphite meeting sealing requirements

Nuclear
N9985

NS200

NSZ200

N998

NZ998

NP998

The highest purity

without additive

Very low sulfur

Very low sulfur,

active protection
against corrosion

High purity
without additive

High purity,
active protection
against corrosion

High purity
with oxidation
inhibitor

specification

typical
value

specification

typical
value

specification

typical
value

specification

typical
value

specification

typical
value

specification

typical
value

Carbon rate

> 99.85%

99.90%

> 99.5%

99.55%

> 93.5%

96.55%

> 99.8%

99.85%

> 93.8%

96.85%

> 95%

98.50%

Ash content

< 0.15%

0.10%

< 0.5%

0.45%

< 0.5%

0.45%

< 0.2%

0.15%

< 0.2%

0.15%

< 0.2%

0.15%

2% to 6%

3%

2% to 6%

3%

1% to 3%

1.35%

Inhibitor rate

Sulfur content

< 600 ppm

500 ppm

< 200 ppm

120 ppm

< 200 ppm

120 ppm

< 600 ppm

450 ppm

< 600 ppm

450 ppm

< 600 ppm

450 ppm

Total chlorine content

< 30 ppm

20 ppm

< 30 ppm

20 ppm

< 30 ppm

20 ppm

< 30 ppm

20 ppm

< 30 ppm

20 ppm

< 30 ppm

20 ppm

Leachable chlorine content

< 20 ppm

10 ppm

< 30 ppm

20 ppm

Halogen content (F, Br, I)

Mass loss (500C / 24h)

< 50 ppm

< 1%

0.50%

30 ppm

< 50 ppm

30 ppm

1%

1%

< 1%

0.60%

< 0.50%

0.10%

Maximum operating
temperature :
to air

500 C

500 C

500 C

500 C

450 C

550 C

under an inert atmoshere

2.700 C

2.700 C

2.700 C

2.700 C

2.700 C

2.700 C

Thermal conductivity
according to density

Thermal conductivity
according to temperature

Density g / cm3

1.4

In the direction
of thickness

Thermal conductivity W.m-1.C-1

150

1.2
1.0

100

In the direction
of plane

0.8

In t

io

ect

ir
ed

f
no

ne

pla

0.6
50

0.4

In the direction
of thickness
0

100

0.2
1.000

Temperature C

1.500

2.000

100

200

Thermal conductivity

300

W.m-1.C-1

Data herein contained are provided for general information purpose only and are not binding. Mersen shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to information contained herein. Duplication, reproduction or translation of any information contained herein, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without prior written consent of Mersen. Our materials are in conformity with
the RoHS-Directive (Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment). Besides Mersen guarantees the application of the European Community
REACH-Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical substances) to all its plants located in Europe. We are constantly involved in engineering and development. Accordingly, Mersen reserves the rignt to modify, at any time, the technology and product specifications contained herein.

grades of sheets
in PartnershiP With sPecialists in static sealing, mersen has
DeveloPeD a comPlete range of flexible graPhite sheets alloWing
customers to cut flat gaskets for their sPecific aPPlications.
They are available in all grades suited to purity specifications for the chemical, petrochemical, refining, and nuclear
or aeronautics industries. Mersen checks the purity of its materials in its analysis and measuring laboratories on a
daily basis in order to guarantee its customers compliance with chemical specifications for materials.

anti-sticking
coating for
facilitating
gasket removal
mersen has developed a surface impregnation that forms an anti-adhesion
coating effective up to 350C in application. This AS Anti-Stick coating
meets the technical specifications
of leading chemical firms in Germany.
It is an option that is particularly recommended for tanged reinforced products.

Hot steam:
60 Bar, 280C
DN80PN100
ange gasket
Assembly stress:
90 MPa

a uniQue service for Promoting your branD

mersen - sealing specialists - offers its customers the option of promoting or customizing their own brand, by means of a service marking the
sheets by screen printing. We can print your sheets in
the colour and model of your choice.
The largest format is up to 1.500 x 2.000 mm.

10

Technical data of Papyex sheets

PAPYEX SR

PAPYEX RI

PAPYEX RN

PAPYEX PI

Flexible graphite sheet

without reinforcement.

Flexible graphite sheet reinforced

with a 50 m glued
at stainless steel insert.
It is used in ange connections
for chemical, petrochemical
industries.

Flexible graphite sheet reinforced

with a 13 m glued at nickel insert.
Easy cutting and resistant
to very corrosive uids,
in particular chlorine.

Flexible graphite sheet

reinforced with a tanged
100 m stainless steel insert,
without adhesive. Suitable
for manufacturing pipe
gaskets & reactors seals in
chemical and petrochemical
industries.

technical data

technical data

technical data

technical data

Unit / standard
Sheet size
Insert material

1 x 1 / 1.5 x 1.5

1 x 1 / 1.5 x 1.5

0.5 x 1 / 1 x 1 / 1.5 x 1.5

1 x 1 / 1.5 x 1.5

DIN / ASTM

without insert

1.4401 / SS316 (at)

Nickel

1.4401 / SS316 (perforated)

Insert thickness

50

13

100

Nomenclature

DIN 28 091-4

m
GR-10

GR-10-O-1 K-Cr

GR-10-I K-Ni

GR-10-O-1 M-Cr

Flexible graphite density

g / cm3 + / -10%

0.7 to 1.3

0.7 or 1

Standard thicknesses

mm + / -10%

Amount of inserts

1.5

0.75

1.0

1.5

2.0

3.0

1 or 2

0.4

0.8

1.0

1.5

2.0

3.0

1.0

1.5

1 or 2

2.0

3.0

nb

1 or 2

Gas permeability (helium)

cm3 / min

< 0.30 < 0.60 < 0.80 < 0.85

< 0.60

< 0.85

< 0.60 < 0.60 < 0.80 < 1.0

Specic leakage rate L

mg / s / m

< 0.05 < 0.08 < 0.1 < 0.15

< 0.06

< 0.1

< 0.06 < 0.06 < 0.08 < 0.1

vo

N / mm

160

140

120

100

100

110

180

160

140

120

Bo at 300C

N / mm2

140

120

100

80

70

90

160

140

120

100

Gasket coefcient (bD = 20 mm) :

vu DIN E 2505

N / mm2

20

10

10

m DIN E 2505

DIN coefcient

1.3

1.3

1.3

2.5

m coefcient ASTM

1.3
3

2.5

y coefcient ASTM

psi

1.500

900

1.000

9.000

4.000

Compressibility ASTM F36A-66

40-50

40-50

40-50

30-35

30-40

Elastic recovery ASTM F6A-66

10-15

10-15

10-15

N / mm2

> 47

> 45

> 45

< 2.0

< 2.0

< 2.0

< 2.0

ppm

< 50

< 50

< 50

< 50

Yes, upon request

No

No

Yes, upon request

Residual stress DIN 52913,

16h / 300C
Ash content DIN 51903
Sulfur content
Anti-sticking treatment

Papyex RI / Papyex RN - Pressure / temperature

130

Fluid pressure (Bar)

Not suitable
Suitable in some cases

60
40
20
0

Suitable with compatible fluids

100

200

300
Temperature C

> 48

> 48

> 45

Suitable in some cases

80
60
40

Suitable with compatible fluids

20
0

100

> 48

Not suitable

120

100
80

15-20

Papyex PI - Pressure / temperature

120

Fluid pressure (Bar)

20

400

500

600

100

200

300

400

500

600

Temperature C

11

the structure patented

by Mersen pushes back the
boundaries of flexible graphite
in the field of sealing:
Very high pressure.
No adhesive, simple
mechanical assembly for very
high temperatures.
Easy cutting by conventional
means by virtue of fine
reinforcements.
Easy dismantling because
of the anti-sticking treatment.

TECHNICAL GUIDE

PAPYEX HP

High-performance Papyex HP
multi-reinforcement sheet
PAPYEX HP
Multi-reinforced exible graphite sheet designed to resist
very high pressures and mechanical stresses even the highest temperatures.
Suitable for high pressure steam in generator, pump seals and high pressure vessels.
Unit / standard
Sheet size
Insert material
Insert thickness

technical data

1 x 1 / 1.5 x 1.5

DIN / ASTM

1.4401 / SS316 (L) (tanged)

50

Nomenclature

DIN 28 091-4

GR-11-I-3-Cr

Flexible graphite density

g / cm3 + / -10 %

1.1

Standard thicknesses

mm + / -10 %

1.5

nb

Amount of inserts
Anti-sticking treatment

yes

Tightness

Ta-Luft certication, optional

Mechanical tests:
EN 13555 - Gasket width 20 mm
Qsmax

TC

20C

300C

400C

N / mm2

> 220

> 220

200

0.94

0.92

PQr (50 Mpa)

0.99

Compressibility ASTM F36A-66

Elastic recovery ASTM F36A-66

Residual stress DIN 52913, 16h / 300C

30-40

4-5

N / mm2

> 48

Gasket coefcient (bD = 20 mm):

vu DIN E 2505

N / mm2

20

m DIN E 2505

DIN coefcient

1.3

psi

3.000

m coefcient ASTM

2.5

y coefcient ASTM
Papyex grades available:
Ash content DIN 51903

I600

N9985

NS200

<1

< 0.15

< 0.5

Sulfur content

ppm

< 700

< 500

< 200

Chlorine content

ppm

< 25

< 20

< 20

Maximal seat pressure on the gasket

Pressure / temperature
300

250

Not suitable
250

Fluid pressure (Bar)

200

MPa

150

Qsmax at 300 C

100

50

Suitable in some cases

200
150
100

Suitable with compatible chemical fluids

50
0

0
2

Gasket ratio : width / thickness

10

11

12

100

200

300

400

500

600

Temperature C

Data herein contained are provided for general information purpose only and are not binding. Mersen shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to information contained herein. Duplication, reproduction or translation of any information contained herein, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without prior written consent of Mersen. Our materials are in conformity with
the RoHS-Directive (Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment). Besides Mersen guarantees the application of the European Community
REACH-Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical substances) to all its plants located in Europe. We are constantly involved in engineering and development. Accordingly, Mersen reserves the rignt to modify, at any time, the technology and product specifications contained herein.

Main production sites

Industrial or commercial branch

A WORLD EXPERT
in materials and solutions
for high temperature processes

a gLOBaL PLaYeR

Contact in North America

MERSEN USA BN Corp.
Bay City Branch,
900 Harrison Street
BAY CITY, MI 48708, USA
Tel.: +1 989 894 29 11
Fax: +1 989 895 77 40

needs to enable them to optimize their manufacturing

process in sectors such as energy, transportation,
electronics, chemical, pharmaceutical and process
industries.

Contact in Europe
MERSEN France Gennevilliers S.A.S.
41, rue Jean Jaurs - BP 148
F-92231 GENNEVILLIERS CEDEX
FRANCE
Tl : +33 (0) 1 41 85 43 66/43 93
Fax : +33 (0) 1 41 85 45 88

Papyex@mersen.com
www.mersen.com

Contact in Asia
MERSEN Kunshan Co. Ltd.
#29 South Taihu Road,
Kunshan Development Zone,
Kunshan, Jiangsu Province,
215334, PR CHINA
Tel.: +86 512 5763 9808
Fax: +86 512 5763 9811

Bulles de couleurs - Mai 2012

Global expert in materials and solutions for extreme

environments as well as in the safety and reliability
of electrical equipment Mersen designs innovative
solutions to address its clients specific