Expanded Graphite Packing
High-Performance Expanded Graphite Packing for Demanding Industrial Applications
KAF Vulcan India supplies expanded graphite gland packing designed for the most demanding sealing conditions in industrial operations. Manufactured from 100% pure expanded graphite yarns, these packings deliver outstanding performance in high temperature, high pressure and chemically aggressive environments where standard packing materials fall short.
Expanded graphite packing is widely used across power generation, petrochemical, refinery and general industrial applications. Its self-lubricating properties, broad chemical compatibility and ability to maintain sealing integrity under extreme thermal and pressure conditions make it one of the most reliable packing materials available for valves, pumps, mixers and rotating equipment.
All grades are available in standard spool lengths, with custom lengths available on request. Our team can assist with grade selection based on your specific operating conditions and equipment requirements.
VR-3 / VR-31
Vulcan Types VR3 and VR31 are braided packing, constructed from 100% Grafan yarns, to form truly exceptional capabilities and performance, pure Expanded Graphite packing. Type VR31 is additionally reinforced with Inconel wire to create the ideal packing for high temperatures, high-pressure valves.
Under compression in the gland, Types VR3/VR31 die-form into packing rings like VR2, whilst offering the advantage of avoiding the need to laboriously wrap VR1 ribbon tape around valve stems or the cost of an inventory of many sizes of individual VR2 die-formed rings.
Types VR3 / VR31 can be merely cut to length and spiralled into the gland. There is no need for individual cut rings, as is the case with conventional braided packing. Grafan is self-lubricating and will not shrink nor harden nor dry out in use.
Type VR3 / VR31 standard spool length is 8 metres, aside from cross-section sizes 3mm and 5mm where the standard length is 30 metres. Custom lengths can be available - please contact us using the form.
Features
- Reinforced with Inconel wire to create the ideal packing for high temperature, high pressure valves
- Designed for high temperature, high pressure and high speed applications
- Suitable for use in pumps, valves, mixers, agitators, expansion joints, ball valve seats and other static seals
Operating Limits
- Pressure Rating: VR3 200 Bar
- Pressure Rating: VR31 360 Bar
- Rotary Speed: VR3 30 m/s
- Rotary Speed: VR31 1 m/s
- Temperature: -200°C to +3000°C Inert
- Temperature: -200°C to +600°C In Air
Limits are for guidance only. Product performance is dependent on materials and other operating conditions.
100% pure flexible expanded graphite yarns high Carbon content.
Compatible with media in the range pH 0-14, excluding strong oxidizing agents.
Negligible volatile content.
Low in extractable trace impurities such as chloride and sulphur.
Extreme condition, long life and zero leakage packing for all uses, up to high temperature, high-pressure, high-speed applications on pumps, valves, mixers, agitators, expansion joints, ball valve seats and other static seals. Types VR1 and VR31 are designed for use in static applications only. Against all acids, alkalis and solvents (except very strong oxidants), gases, feed water and superheated, or saturated steam.
Expanded graphite packing grades VR3 and VR31 for high-temperature, high-pressure sealing of valves and pumps.
| Product Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Product Codes | VR3 / VR31 |
| Category | Expanded Graphite Packing (Vulcan) |
| Material | Pure flexible expanded graphite yarns |
| Key Properties | High-temperature and pressure capability, chemically inert, self-sealing |
| Typical Applications | High-temperature/pressure valves, pumps, steam service, power generation |
Industries We Serve
We supply reliable gland packing solutions designed to perform in demanding industrial environments across multiple sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Expanded graphite is a highly pure, flexible form of natural graphite processed to expand its structure, giving it exceptional resistance to heat, pressure and chemicals. Unlike standard graphite, it does not harden, shrink or dry out in service, making it one of the most reliable sealing materials for demanding industrial applications. Its self-lubricating properties and broad chemical compatibility make it the preferred material for high performance gland packing in pumps, valves and rotating equipment.
Graphite packing is used to seal pumps, valves, mixers and agitators in high temperature, high pressure and chemically aggressive industrial environments. It is widely specified in power generation, petrochemical plants, refineries, steam systems and general industrial maintenance where conventional rubber or fibre packings would fail under the operating conditions.
Expanded graphite gland packing operates from -200°C to +3000°C in inert environments and up to +600°C in air. This exceptionally wide range makes it one of the few packing materials suitable for both cryogenic and extreme high temperature applications, including superheated steam, boiler feed systems and high temperature process valves.
Graphite packing handles significantly higher temperatures and pressures than PTFE packing, making it the preferred choice for steam valves, boiler feed pumps and high temperature process equipment. PTFE packing offers better performance in chemically aggressive media at moderate temperatures and is commonly specified in chemical processing and pharmaceutical applications where contamination control is critical. The choice between the two depends on operating temperature, pressure and the nature of the media being sealed.
Expanded graphite packing is compatible with virtually all media across the full pH range from 0 to 14, including acids, alkalis, solvents, gases, feed water and superheated or saturated steam. The only exceptions are strong oxidising agents which can degrade the graphite structure. It has negligible volatile content and very low extractable impurities such as chloride and sulphur, making it suitable for sensitive process environments.
Yes, expanded graphite packing is suitable for pumps, valves, mixers, agitators, expansion joints and ball valve seats. The VR3 grade supports both rotary and static applications while VR31, reinforced with Inconel wire, is specifically designed for high temperature, high pressure static valve applications where a higher pressure rating is required.
VR3 and VR31 are both constructed from 100% pure expanded graphite Grafan yarns but differ in pressure rating and application suitability. VR3 has a pressure rating of 200 Bar and supports rotary speeds up to 30 m/s making it suitable for pumps and rotating equipment. VR31 is reinforced with Inconel wire, has a higher pressure rating of 360 Bar and a rotary speed limit of 1 m/s making it specifically suited to high pressure static valve applications.
Expanded graphite packing in VR3 and VR31 grades is simply cut to the required length and spiralled directly into the gland without the need to prepare individual cut rings. Under compression the packing die-forms into rings providing consistent sealing performance. Standard spool lengths are 8 metres, with 30 metre lengths available for 3mm and 5mm cross-section sizes. Custom lengths are available on request.
KAF Vulcan India supplies expanded graphite gland packing in VR3 and VR31 grades to customers across India from our base in Mumbai. We supply to industries including power generation, petrochemical, refinery, water treatment and general industrial maintenance. Contact our team directly for product selection support or to request a quote.
The right gland packing is selected based on four key factors — the type of media being sealed, the operating temperature and pressure, the shaft speed, and whether the application is rotating, reciprocating or static. For high temperature and high pressure applications involving steam or hot process fluids, expanded graphite packing is the preferred choice. For chemically aggressive media at moderate temperatures, PTFE or PTFE graphite packing may be more suitable, while aramid or Kevlar packing is recommended for abrasive slurry applications. Contact our team at KAF Vulcan India for application-specific selection support or refer to our Packing Equivalent Chart for a quick cross-reference guide.
