Graphite Sheet Reinforced with Metal Foil

What Is Graphite Sheet Reinforced with Metal Foil?

Graphite Sheet Reinforced with Metal Foil (also called metal-inserted graphite sheet, reinforced expanded graphite sheet or metal-reinforced graphite gasket sheet; Kaxite model KXT B202) is a three-layer composite sealing material. Two outer layers of flexible expanded graphite are laminated to a central metal insert by a special pressing or bonding process. The metal insert provides mechanical reinforcement, prevents blow-out and suppresses cold flow, allowing the sheet to be used in high-temperature and high-pressure flange sealing.

Graphite Sheet Reinforced with Metal Foil is supplied in standard sheet sizes of 1000 × 1000 mm and 1500 × 1500 mm, with thickness from 0.5 mm to 6.0 mm. Insert materials include tanged carbon steel, tanged SS304/SS316, flat SS304/SS316 foil and SS304/SS316 wire mesh. Die-cut gaskets, ring gaskets and custom shapes are available.

Graphite Sheet Reinforced with Metal Foil — Quick Specifications

Three-Layer Structure: Graphite + Metal Insert + Graphite

Graphite Sheet Reinforced with Metal Foil is built as a sandwich: expanded graphite outer layer — metal insert — expanded graphite outer layer. The metal insert is mechanically locked or bonded to the graphite, so the reinforcement does not delaminate under thermal cycling or bolt load.

Graphite Sheet Reinforced with Metal Foil is produced in a controlled multi-stage process:

1. Graphite expansion — natural flake graphite is chemically treated and thermally expanded into worm-like flexible graphite.
2. Calendering — expanded graphite is calendered into continuous flexible graphite sheet of controlled density and thickness.
3. Insert preparation — the metal insert (tanged carbon steel, tanged SS304/SS316, flat SS foil or SS wire mesh) is prepared and, where required, tanged to create a mechanical anchoring surface.
4. Lamination — two graphite sheets are pressed onto the top and bottom faces of the metal insert, forming a three-layer composite.
5. Finishing & inspection — the sheet is calendered to final thickness, trimmed, inspected for density, thickness, bond strength, compressibility, recovery and sealability, then packed.

Because the insert type and thickness can be selected, Graphite Sheet Reinforced with Metal Foil can be tuned for higher tensile strength (tanged SS inserts), higher compressibility (flat SS foil) or higher thermal stability (SS316 inserts). Tell us your medium, temperature, pressure and flange standard and we will recommend the appropriate insert.

Available Metal Insert Types — How to Choose

Graphite Sheet Reinforced with Metal Foil is available with four standard insert types. Each insert type provides a different balance of compressive strength, temperature stability and sealability.

Compressive stress stability is the maximum compressive load the sheet can sustain without damage. For very high-pressure or high-blow-out-risk applications, choose a tanged SS304/SS316 insert. For maximum compressibility at moderate pressure, choose a flat SS foil insert.

Technical Specifications of KXT B202

Values above are typical ranges for the KXT B202 family. Please request the current data sheet for the exact grade and insert combination you require.

Service Temperature Range — Oxidizing vs Non-Oxidizing Media

The service temperature range of Graphite Sheet Reinforced with Metal Foil depends on the metal insert material. Carbon steel inserts are suitable for less demanding service; SS304/SS316 inserts extend the range significantly, especially in non-oxidizing media.

"Oxidizing media" includes air, oxygen and oxidizing chemicals. "Non-oxidizing media" includes steam, nitrogen, hydrocarbons and inert gases. In oxidizing media, graphite oxidizes above approximately +450 °C, so the sheet is limited by the graphite, not by the metal insert.

Performance Comparison by Insert Type

All values are measured on 1.5 mm sheet thickness. Tanged SS inserts provide the best balance of compressive strength and sealability for high-pressure service. Wire mesh inserts are best for applications where high compressibility is required and N₂ leakage is not critical.

Metal-Reinforced Graphite Sheet vs Plain Graphite Sheet

Buyers often ask whether a plain flexible graphite sheet can replace a metal-reinforced graphite sheet. The table below summarises the main differences to help select the right material.

For low-pressure water, air and general industrial service, plain flexible graphite sheet is often more economical. For steam, hydrocarbon and high-pressure service, metal-reinforced graphite sheet is the safer choice.

Key Performance Advantages

Typical Applications of Metal-Reinforced Graphite Sheet

Graphite Sheet Reinforced with Metal Foil is specified wherever high temperature, high pressure and blow-out resistance are required. Common applications include:

• High-pressure flange gaskets — SS304/SS316 tanged inserts for steam, hydrocarbon and high-pressure piping.
• Engine heat gaskets — exhaust manifolds, turbocharger flanges and high-temperature engine components.
• Boiler manholes and handholes — where high compressive stress and thermal stability are required.
• Heat exchanger gaskets — shell-and-tube and plate heat exchangers in petrochemical service.
• Petrochemical piping — high-temperature flanges in refineries and chemical plants.
• Power generation — steam turbine casings, boiler feed lines and high-temperature steam systems.
• General industry — high-temperature die-cut gaskets and custom sealing shapes.

Supply Options & Custom Fabrication

We supply Graphite Sheet Reinforced with Metal Foil in the form that best fits your production line:

Send us a drawing, a sample or simply the flange standard and we will quote the most economical cutting layout.

Why Buy Graphite Sheet Reinforced with Metal Foil from Kaxite?

Ningbo Kaxite Sealing Materials Co., Ltd. is a China-based manufacturer and exporter of sealing materials, serving industrial distributors, OEMs and MRO buyers for more than a decade.

• Manufacturer, not just a trader — we control graphite expansion, calendering, insert preparation, lamination and die-cutting in-house, which keeps quality consistent and lead times short.
• Application engineering support — our technical sales team reviews your medium, temperature, pressure and flange standard before recommending an insert type.
• Batch traceability — incoming graphite and metal insert materials are recorded, and finished sheets are checked for density, thickness, bond strength, compressibility, recovery and sealability before packing.
• Third-party inspection welcome — SGS, BV, TÜV or your own nominated inspector can be arranged before shipment.
• Export experience — regular shipments to Europe, North America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and South America, with export packing and documentation handled in-house.
• One-stop sourcing — as a full-range sealing supplier we also produce flexible graphite sheet, graphite packing, PTFE sheet, non-asbestos sheet, spiral wound gaskets and compression gaskets, so you can consolidate orders.

Quality Control & Inspection

• Incoming raw material check on graphite purity, metal insert grade and insert thickness.
• In-process control of calendering thickness, insert tanging quality and lamination bond strength.
• Finished goods inspection: density, thickness, compressive stress stability, compressibility, recovery, N₂ sealability, oil sealability and visual defect screening.
• Bond strength and delamination testing under thermal cycling.
• Pre-shipment sampling and retained counter-samples for traceability.
• Third-party test reports available on request against your specification.

Have a specific standard or acceptance criterion? Send it to us before ordering and we will confirm in writing whether KXT B202 can meet it.

Ordering, Packing & Delivery

Lead times are indicative and confirmed per order.

Frequently Asked Questions