Knife Gate Valves Browse All 
Select a featured product type to jump to that section.
Unidirectional
Bidirectional
Urethane Lined
O-Port
Push-Through, Slurry Valves
Guided Shear Gate
Zero Pocket
Graphite is a carbon-based material widely used in valve seats, packing, gaskets, and seals due to its high-temperature tolerance, chemical inertness, and self-lubricating properties. It is a key material for valves operating in extreme temperatures and aggressive chemical environments, particularly where metallic or polymeric materials may fail.
Properties
- Excellent High-Temperature Resistance – Operates in temperatures up to 450°C to 650°C (842°F to 1200°F) in air, and even higher in inert or reducing atmospheres.
- Superior Chemical Resistance – Inert to most acids, bases, solvents, and aggressive process chemicals, except for strong oxidizers like nitric or sulfuric acid in certain conditions.
- Self-Lubricating & Low Friction – Reduces wear and torque requirements in valve stems, seals, and dynamic components.
- Good Compressibility & Conformability – Ensures effective sealing under high-pressure and high-temperature cycling.
- Stable at Extreme Conditions – Retains sealing integrity in fire-safe and thermal cycling applications.
Graphite vs. Other Valve Materials
• Superior temperature tolerance compared to PTFE, FKM, or silicone seals.
• Better chemical resistance than elastomers in most acid/base services.
• Less flexible but more thermally stable than metallic or polymeric seals.
Limitations
- Oxidation at Very High Temperatures – May degrade in air above 650°C (1200°F) unless protected by inert or reducing environments.
- Brittle Compared to Elastomers or Polymers – Can crack or fracture under mechanical shock or extreme flexing.
- Limited Performance in Strong Oxidizers – Susceptible to attack by concentrated nitric or sulfuric acids in high-temperature service.
Common Applications
High-Temperature Valves – Used in steam valves, power generation, and boiler feedwater systems.
Refinery & Petrochemical Valves – Ideal for high-pressure hydrocarbon, acid gas, and aggressive chemical handling.
API 607/6FA Fire-Safe Valves – Graphite is a common material in fire-safe certified valves due to its non-flammable nature.
Valve Packing Sets – Applied in globe, gate, and control valves for stem sealing in high-pressure services.
Gasketed Valve Seats & Liners – Used for static sealing surfaces in chemical processing and power plants.