Carbon Fiber and Graphite (Buy Now)
Carbon compression packing is made from interwoven strands of carbon fiber or carbon fiber-coated yarn. The higher the carbon purity, the greater the temperature and chemical resistance of the resultant packing. All our carbon fiber compression packing options provide reliable leakage control, along with exceptional durability, versatility, and long service life, even in the most challenging applications.
We offer carbon fiber compression packing in a range of standard sizes to fit most any application. However, if our standard carbon fiber packing doesn’t fit the needs of your application, we can, in many cases, work with manufacturers to produce custom carbon packing that meets your requirements.
PTFE Packing
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) compression packing is ideal for pumps and valves used in a variety of applications. PTFE packing is a good general-purpose option and is the material of choice for FDA-approved applications and those involving harsh chemicals. Sterling Seal & Supply offers PTFE compression packing from leading manufacturers, and we will work with you to find the best option for your needs.
PTFE compression packing may be made from braided strands of PTFE material, or from standard packing yarn that is dipped or coated with PTFE. Some forms of PTFE packing are better for higher pump shaft rotation speeds, while others are better suited for slower speed applications or valves. All our PTFE compression packing options provide reliable leakage control, reduced friction, high chemical resistance, and long working life. FDA-approved PTFE packing is available for food/beverage or pharmaceutical processing applications.
Aramid, and Other Fibers
High temperature insulating fire bricks offers a unique combination of insulating properties along with load bearing ability. The temperature ranges are from 2000º F to 3000º F, is where IFBs really shine. Its low thermal conductivity is as low as ceramic fiber-based products, but with the rigidity capable of dealing with harsh and abrasive applications.
Applications: Centrifugal pumps, agitators, mixers, valves, reciprocating high-pressure plunger pumps, compressors and high-pressure hydraulic cylinders, among others. All dynamic equipment processing aggressive abrasive slurries and/or extremely high-pressure fluids.
Injectable Packing
Injectable packing fills the stuffing box to create a seal. These packings are not braided but more like a hybrid between a solid and a liquid: This allows for a 360° sealing pressure and virtually leak-free packing!
Injectable packing is perfect for equipment that has high up-time demands since it can be re-energized while the pump is still rotating. This ability is also helpful when accessing the gland for adjustments is not feasible.
Flax/Ramie Yarn
Flax / Ramie packing is manufactured from the finest quality ramie yarns with PTFE suspensoid in a square plait construction. An additional break-in lubricant is added to minimize shaft wear and to allow for expansion during the break-in period. This packing is a well lubricated, medium-hard packing with very low frictional characteristics, which assures minimal shaft wear. The ramie yarn is rot and mildew resistant, making the packing ideal for marine use, handling cold water, salt water and cold oils. In the marine industry, it is recommended for sealing stern tube and rudder post stuffing boxes.
This style is also used for certain pump and valve applications in the pulp and paper, water/wastewater, and mining industries but is most commonly used on boat propeller shafts. Flax is a plant fiber and should only be used in water applications where replacement is not a major task. Generally used in low cost pump packing applications.
To ensure that you receive the best and most effective PTFE packing for your pump or valve application, we use a series of questions that we call STAMPS. Please keep the following questions in mind when specifying the PTFE compression packing you need:
- S: Size of the pump or valve opening to be sealed
- T: Temperature range in which the compression packing will be used
- A: Application—is it a valve? a rotary pump? a centrifugal pump? etc.
- M: Media—what must the compression packing prevent from leaking?
- P: Pressure range in which the packing will be used
- S: Speed the compression packing must withstand—high RPMs, centrifugal motion, etc.