Standard die forming of flexible graphite squeezes the life out of the ring - that's why we pre-form. We put compressibility and resilience into each ring and that's what makes the difference. When you receive a pre-formed ring from EPM, it still has 15% to 20% compressibility left in it. As you install the ring, it's only necessary to tighten the packing until a seal is effected, which leaves considerable life in the ring for future adjustments. The extra care we take makes the difference.

A partially compressed ring. Fold, which appears in pre-forming, is not significant and will disappear when ring is compressed in stuffing box.

Pattern of folds (opened for illustration) assures uniform distribution of thermal expansion and thermal conductivity, as well as maximum resilience.

THE EFFICIENT METHOD FOR VALVE STEM PACKING

THE BENEFITS OF DIE-FORMED
FLEXIBLE GRAPHITE

• Individually formed to meet your specific dimensions.

• Slight interference fit to bore and stem to insure a tight seal.

• Less waste than conventional coils of packing.

• No need to pull old packing out. Simply add ring when needed.

• Each ring molded to 85 lb. per cu. foot.

• Even distribution of work load to each ring.

Note: For clearances greater than .020 between stem and stuffing box, EPM suggests a single ring of EPM-7777 braided graphite packing in bottom of stuffing box as an anti-extrusion ring.

LAMINATED FLEXIBLE GRAPHITE RINGS

EPM can also furnish packing rings fabricated from layers of flexible graphite sheet. Because these ring sets do not have the compressibility and resilience of our pre-formed rings, equipment dimensions and equipment conditions are critical. An EPM representative should be consulted. Unlike pre-formed rings, heat conductivity and expansion characteristics are very directional with these packing rings.