COMPRESSION PACKING

SELECTION GUIDE

Sealing Products for Industry WWW.SEPCO.COM

COMPRESSION PACKING SELECTION GUIDE

Introduction

Compression packing is the oldest and still

most common type of sealing device used
to prevent product leakage and extend the
life of pumps, valves, and other rotating
equipment. For decades, most packing was
just lubricated vegetable fiber inserted
in the stuffing box between the body of a
pump or valve and its rotating member.

The 1990 Clean Air Act (CAA), along with more stringent requirements on plant
water usage and effluent discharge, changed expectations about packings role in
leak prevention and water conservation.

Industrial plants, process mills, and refineries found themselves under intense
regulator pressure to comply with new water usage and CAA standards. Plant
managers began taking a closer look at water usage studies and creating Leak
Detection and Repair (LDAR) programs to combat the sources of pump and valve
leakage.

The packing industry responded by experimenting with exotic fiber materials

such as PTFE yarns, graphite yarns, carbon yarns, and GFO yarns to create
packing that not only complied with more stringent water usage standards, but
was also able to withstand higher temperatures, faster shaft speeds, and wider pH
ranges than ever before.

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COMPRESSION PACKING SELECTION GUIDE

Which Packing is Right for You? Lets look at these selection criteria in more detail:
Modern fluid handling systems now have an impressive range
of fibers that meet their requirements for pH, shaft speed, and PH LEVEL:
temperatures. This guide will briefly explain the high perfor- You want your packing to be chemically inert relative to the
mance packing fibers you should consider for most applica- process fluids in your pump, valve, or rotating equipment.
tions, as well as the selection criteria you should use to make That means you should choose a yarn that is compatible with

the best packing decision. your product, as well as compatible with any acidic or caustic
process fluids you might use to clean your equipment. Specify-
ing packing that can handle 0-14 pH is a good general rule to
Selection Criteria follow.
There are three major criteria to packing selection: pH level of
the fluid being pumped, fluid temperature, and shaft speed. SHAFT SPEED (FT/MIN):
Why these three? Most manufacturers calculate shaft speed using the Feet Per
Minute formula of FPM = (Shaft or Sleeve Diameter x 3.14) x
Packing is designed to expand radially against the shaft and RPM / 12. Frictional heat is created where the packing is forced
stuffing box to create a compression seal that will control prod- against the rotating equipment sleeve outside diameter to
uct leakage and prevent the loss of valuable process fluids. create the seal. Higher performance packing is designed to
reduce friction, thus reducing heat and extending the life of
An additional item to consider is shaft rotation. Shaft rotation your equipment. You should almost always choose packing
generates significant frictional heat and can cause excessive based on the highest published FPM rating. As a general rule,
sleeve wear. Its important to choose a yarn that can withstand any packing with a rating of 3000FPM or above will provide the
your operating conditions and is also chemically compatible most reliable service.
with your product.
TEMPERATURE:
Temperature consideration is critical when the application
exceeds 500F because many materials, including PTFE, tend to
break down and carbonize at elevated temperatures. The key
to proper selection is retention of volume. The most tempera-
ture resistant packing are carbon and graphite based. This issue
is not so critical in most rotating equipment since, in most cas-
es, flush water is utilized. Where this selection becomes critical
is with high temperature valve packing in the petrochemical
and power generation industries.

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COMPRESSION PACKING SELECTION GUIDE

Other variables to consider:

CONDITION OF EQUIPMENT:
Pay attention to any mechanical component deficiencies. The
most common issue is sleeve wear and shaft runout, but you
should also inspect the stuffing box for corrosion or roughness,
inspect the packing gland for follower wear, and make any
necessary alternations to the lantern ring to ensure optimal
packing life and seal performance. If deficiencies exist, properly
seating and loading a set of packing will be difficult.

AVAILABILITY OF RELIABLE
FLUSH WATER:
Flush water cools the packing and sleeve, as well removes
solids from slurries in the stuffing box, to prevent damage
to the packing. Modern packing fibers are able to withstand
much higher temperatures than previous iterations choosing
higher performance packing can significantly reduce your flush
water requirements.

BUDGET:
Compression packing is a wearable component and it can be
tempting to choose a lower cost option since youll just be
replacing it next shutdown. But if your packing doesnt make it
to next shutdown, youll spend exponentially more to correct a
premature failure that causes significant product loss or dam-
age to your pumps or agitators bearings.

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COMPRESSION PACKING SELECTION GUIDE

Most Common High Performance STYLE ML560

Packing Styles ML560 is a high performance proprietary carbon fiber pack-

Always choose from a family of packing that will cover all of ing with high thermal conductivity that makes it possible to

the processes in your plant while providing peace of mind operate without flush water, making it ideal for use in pumping

performance from shutdown to shutdown. There are a handful slurries that are prone to premature packing failure. Its high

of packing styles that cover the majority of rotating equipment strength structure allows for high performance in equipment

applications theres rarely a need to maintain an inventory of with severe mechanical issues and can handle a full range of

20 different packing styles. Below are the five most common pH levels, high shaft speed, and elevated temperatures..

packing used in process industries:

STYLE ML4461
This proven industry performer is a high performance carbon
STYLE ML2240
filament packing treated with PTFE to help prevent color con-
This state-of-the-art, Ultra High Speed PTFE non-contami-
tamination and carbon migration. Each strand of the carbon
nating white packing is a high temperature, heat dissipating
yarn is treated and impregnated with a PTFE suspensoid, totally
style specifically formulated for packing mixers, agitators,
encapsulating the packing to prevent carbon filaments migrat-
and pumps with high shaft speed that require white braided
ing into the system. ML 4461 is constructed to work best with
packing. ML2240 will not glaze or harden and benefits from
high temperature and high shaft speed applications. Critical sit-
very low thermal expansion, making it ideal for any service that
uations, such as digester applications are a good fit for ML4461.
requires a white packing or food grade packing that is running
up to 3300ft/min shaft speed and up to 550 F.
STYLE ML4500
ML4500 is another pure graphite yarn that has been impreg-
STYLE ML4002
nated with a fine submicron powder of inorganic graphite,
ML4002 is a global award-winning style made from 100%
but is rated for even higher temperature. This style works best
GFO Yarn and impregnated with finely ground particles of the
with high temperature, high shaft speed applications services,
highest quality inorganic graphite in a PTFE matrix to control
including nuclear industry and applications that require temps
graphite migration. ML4002 is an excellent all around packing
up to 850F.
for applications up to 4000ft/min shaft speed and up to 550 F.

STYLE ML2001
This braided flexible graphite packing style is constructed with
pure homogenous graphite bonded to a carrier for strength
and thermal stability. It has no added lubricants or binders to
cook out or become brittle. Recommended for rotating shafts
where high speeds and thermal conductivity are required,
including applications with 4000ft/min shaft speeds and tem-
peratures up to 850F.

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COMPRESSION PACKING SELECTION GUIDE

Materials of Construction FLAX YARN

Many plant customers simply ask us to supply them with a Flax is an economical solution used to construct packing for
PTFE packing or graphite packing. What seems like a straight- brine, cold water, and cold oils. Flax packing can be impregnat-
forward request often translates into us probing them for more ed with PTFE that acts as a surface leveler that fills in voids in
information about their application. Were not trying to be the packing. The PTFE prevents wicking and forms a protective
difficult were trying to save you money! shield around the flax fibers.
There are likely multiple fibers that are compatible with your
application lets take a look at what fibers work best for which Specifications
applications. Temperature: 220 F
pH range: 5-9
Shaft Speed: 1885 Feet per minute (fpm)
Cost: $

Applications
Serves the shipping industry in stern tubes and some power
generation in hydroelectric turbines.

Examples of Flax Yarn

#2 (tallow wax lubed)
219 (TFE Lubrication)
2GR (Grease/Graphite Lubed)

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COMPRESSION PACKING SELECTION GUIDE

ACRYLIC YARN NOVOLOID YARN

Acrylic yarn is good general service packing that is commonly One of the most popular fibers, Novoloid (or Kynol) is an excel-
referred to as Teflon or Graphite by many end-users. This lent all around packing that exhibits good thermal conductivity
yarn is used for constructing packing for mild acids/alkaline, characteristics and results in higher speed shaft FRM ratings.
brine and oil. Optional TFE coatings protect the yarns from Novoloid contains no silicon, sulfur, or wax, making it an excel-
chemical attack and assure good break-in characteristics. lent alternative to graphite packing.

Specifications Specifications
Temperature: 450 F Temperature: 500 F
pH range: 4-10 pH range: 1-13 (except concentrated or hot sulfuric or nitric
Shaft Speed: 1885 Feet per minute (fpm) acid)
Cost: $ Shaft Speed: 1800 Feet per minute (fpm)
Cost: $
Applications
Used as a low cost general service packing for rotary and recip- Applications
rocating pumps and agitators in utilities and industry. Primarily used within the chemical and pulp and paper indus-
try for applications where graphite is unacceptable.
Examples of Acrylic Yarn
ML2225 (TFE Coated) Examples of Novoloid Yarn
ML402 (Grease/Graphite Coated) ML2400

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COMPRESSION PACKING SELECTION GUIDE

ARAMID YARN PTFE YARN

Aramid is a great performer in extreme abrasive environments. PTFE yarn has a high resistance to chemicals and low levels
Aramid fiber strands can be individually treated with a PTFE of friction and adhesion. PTFE yarns can be pre-lubricated
coating and a light, inert oil to improve resistance to caustics, to create a softer, more flexible packing with improved
mild acids, chemicals, air, oil gases, and solvents. peripheral speed characteristics and exothermic properties.
PTFE has excellent performance in corrosive environments and
Specifications can be coated with graphite lubricants to improve thermal
Temperature: 500 F conductivity.
pH range: 3-11
Shaft Speed: 1800 Feet per minute (fpm) Specifications
Cost: $$ Temperature: 500 F
pH range: 0-14
Applications Shaft Speed: 1200fpm (no graphite) 4900fpm (with graphite
Used in abrasive services and as a bull ring (anti-extrusion). Cost: $$

Examples of Aramid Yarn Applications

ML4800 (TFE lubed) Chemical processing, pumps, rotatory equipment
ML6225 (TFE lubed spun yarn)
ML6402 (Graphite lubed spun yarn) Examples of Teflon Yarn
ML4700 (Nomex Yarn) ML2235
ML2236FDA
ML2254 (valve)
ML2254OX (approved for Oxygen)
ML8002 (graphite coated)

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COMPRESSION PACKING SELECTION GUIDE

ENCAPSULATED PTFE YARN CARBON/GRAPHITE YARNS

This family of PTFE is constructed from an expanded TFE that This proven industry performer is manufactured through a
encapsulates graphite or a proprietary lubricant. The expansion heat treatment process of a synthetic yarn. These yarns are
process creates a micro-structure that has a higher strength processed through multiple heat treatments to achieve the de-
than TFE filament yarns. Encapsulated TFE yarn can be treated sired carbon or graphite content. Carbon/Graphite packing can
with special lubricants that contain no sulfur, silicone, or wax. also be treated with PTFE to help prevent color contamination
and carbon migration.
Specifications
Temperature: 500 F Specifications
pH range: 0-14 Temperature: 650 F
Shaft Speed: 1200fpm (no graphite) 4900fpm (with graphite pH range: 0-14
Cost: $$ Shaft Speed: 4000fpm
Cost: $$
Applications
Uses include mixers, pumps, agitators, reactors, blenders Applications
High pressure, high temperature, high shaft speed applications
Examples of TFE Yarns
ML4002 (100% WL Gore GFO) Examples of Carbon/Graphite Yarns
ML2240 (Proprietary high speed white expanded TFE) ML560
ML4461
ML4460
ML4500

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COMPRESSION PACKING SELECTION GUIDE

FLEXIBLE GRAPHITE YARNS AND TAPES

Flexible graphite tape is manufactured by exfoliating expand-
ing and then compressing the graphite flakes into a specific
density. Flexible graphite has excellent thermal properties and
can be mixed with reinforcing fibers and formed into yarn.

Specifications
Temperature: 850 F
pH range: 0-14
Shaft Speed: 4000fpm
Cost: $$$

Applications
High pressure, high temperature, high shaft speed applications

Examples of Graphite Yarns/Tapes

ML2001 (Braided)
BP or NP (Ribbon Rings)

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COMPRESSION PACKING SELECTION GUIDE

Which Packing is Right for You?

Modern fluid handling systems now have an impressive range
of fibers that meet their requirements for pH, shaft speed, and
temperatures. The sheer amount of packing options can be
overwhelming to those looking to reduce the cost of their fluid
sealing program.
This table will briefly explain the high performance packing
fibers you should consider for most applications, as well as the
selection criteria you should use to make the best
packing decision.

Vegetable 1220 fpm 5-9 pH 220 F

Acrylic 1885 fpm 3-11 pH 500 F

Aramid 1885 fpm 3-11 pH 500 F

Novoloid 1885 fpm 2-13 pH 550 F

PTFE 1500 fpm 0-14 pH 500 F

Carbon 4000 fpm 0-14 pH 650 F

GFO 4900 fpm 0-14 pH 550 F

Graphite unlimited 0-14 pH 850 F

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COMPRESSION PACKING SELECTION GUIDE

Packing It All Together

What is the secret to reliable packing life in rotating equip-
ment? How do end users economically seal their stuffing boxes
without breaking their budgets? No shortcuts are available to
reliable packing performance. However, reliability and longer
life can be expected if you follow these basic guidelines:

The correct specifications for the braided packing must be cho-

sen with an emphasis on the chemical and thermal properties
of the yarns.

You must establish some basic installation and equipment

maintenance/ inspection guidelines with operational care
practices.

You should partner with a pump manufacturer and a local fluid

sealing representative that understands your equipment ser-
vice requirements and is able to aid in simplifying the selection
process and training employees on installation and basic care
procedures.

What results can the user expect for a properly managed pack-
ing program? As a general rule, history has shown that achiev-
ing an average packing life of up to three years is possible!
If you need more help with packing selection, installation, or
just want guidelines on how to properly inspect your equip-
ment when replacing packing, contact SEPCO.

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COMPRESSION PACKING SELECTION GUIDE

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ABOUT SEPCO
Located in Alabaster, AL, SEPCO (Sealing Equipment Products Co., Inc.)
helps industrial plants and mills reduce the total cost of their fluid sealing
programs. SEPCO manufactures a high quality line of mechanical seals,
compression packing, and gasketing materials that deliver shutdown-to-
shutdown performance for industrial pumps, valves, and other rotating
equipment. With customers in over 30 countries, SEPCO partners with plant
maintenance and reliability managers to improve operational efficiency,
reduce inventory, and increase equipment reliability. For more information
or to schedule an equipment survey, visit WWW.SEPCO.COM.

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