LCP Packing: Development of Steel Reinforced Expanded Graphite Seals

Developed to address one major weakness of expanded graphite – it is extremely sensitive to shear – the packing design of LCP combines layers of expanded graphite with layers of knitted wire mesh. The material is then molded into endless rings, both vee shaped for pressure seals and upper and lower adapters as needed. Other geometries can be molded as needed.

The metal (usually 304/304L or 316/ 316L annealed stainless steel) serves to reinforce the graphite, while the graphite cushions the metal, letting the metal sink in at a fairly low stress level (this lowers the chance of galling against stem movement). Graphite is inert to almost all media except strong oxidizers such as nitric and sulfuric acids. Choosing the proper mesh metal for the media to be sealed is essential.

We can manufacture the seals using any annealed wire alloy which can be knitted. To date, the LCP has been used against steam in both stem sealing and wellhead packoff applications.

For more information on this expanded graphite seal solution, see the table below or contact the Jim Ray Company directly.

Overall Part Dimensions Wire Mesh Diameter: 0.004″ to 0.006″ Advantages/Benefits

• Graphite being easily sheared is minimized
• Steel reinforces the graphite
• Graphite cushions the metal from movement and prevents galling

Stable at Extreme Temperatures (1,200°F In Steam) Graphite is inert to almost all media Material Used:

• 304/304L Annealed Stainless Steel Mesh
• 316/ 316L Annealed Stainless Steel Mesh

SG-630 – A graphite based injection packing made for steam service at 600+ Deg. F.

Jim Ray SG-630 is a pliable, graphitic injection-gun type plastic bulk packing with a high graphite content and a non-asbestos binder blended with synthetic oils and selected fibers. This matrix is formulated to energize split-box type V-packing and wellhead gland designs.The effective temperature range is from -65 to 600°F. SG-630 is a more plastic version of SG-600 packing.It can be injected through a ball check fitting in the field to pack off or rejuvenate leaking stem packing glands and geothermal wellheads.The packing is formulated to greatly reduce the hardening in service often encountered in geothermal injection packings. 

SG-630 is manufactured using low friction ingredients, resulting in a lubricious and easily injected product which will often lower valve torque requirements.Jim Ray SG-630 is formulated for geothermal and steam service. Testing is recommended for any other service.

Properties

TYPE Plastic Bulk, Gray/Black color

SHELF LIFE 10 years

MOISTURE CONTENT Nil

FORMS AVAILABLE

3/8 x 1″ pills (100/jar)

1-1/2 x 7″ sticks (2/Box)

¼ x 1 x 4″ long strips

At Jim Ray Company, we strive to merit our customers’ business by providing quality products with on time deliveries. We believe in service and are dedicated to using our resources to handle customer needs.

(713) 785-5055

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

10645 Richmond Avenue #130
Houston, TX 77042

Frustrated with the poor customer service and lack of solutions for the industry, Jim Ray started the company in 1976.  Beginning as a distributor, the Jim Ray Company evolved into a manufacturer of packing and sealing products innovatively creating the Graphite Sealing application and the Tiger Pak line of plastic injection packing products.  By the 1990s, the Jim Ray Company was serving major Fortune 500 companies and gained recognition as a top rated supplier focused on reliability.  Today, the Jim Ray Company is ready to serve your needs so please call us today.

We look forward to working with you! Please contact us with your unique requirements.

1.0 PURPOSE

To establish a specification for the subject material.

2.0 SCOPE

This standard shall apply to all manufactured items which are ordered referencing the standard or called by the “Tiger Pak A” name.

3.0 DESCRIPTION

3.1 The packing shall be a pliable, injection-gun type plastic bulk.

3.2 The packing is intended for primarily liquid and gaseous ammonia service. It may be injected through ball-check fittings.

3.3 The packing is manufactured in various forms, the most common is pills of nominal 3/8″ diameter and 1″ in length and sticks of nominal 1-1/2″ and 7″ in length.

4.0 MATERIALS

The packing shall consist of a non-asbestos binder blended with modified synthetic and refined hydrocarbon oils and waxes, natural and refined pigments, cellulose fibers and friction reducing minerals and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), multisize flakes.

5.0 CERTIFICATION

Certification of batch number and date of manufacture is to be called out on the purchase order, if required.

6.0 TYPICAL PROPERTIES

Color: Brown

Consistency: Medium Stiff

Corrosion, copper strip method: None

ASTM Penetration, Unworked: 15-30 (5 sec @77 deg.F.)

Temperature Range: -50 to +350 Deg. F

Pressure: 30,000+ P.S.I.

7.0 CHEMICAL COMPATIBILITY

The material is also suitable for water, steam, most dilute acids (except hydrofluoric), alkalies and alcohols, including 100% ethanol.

This material is not suitable for hydrocarbon liquids, LPG, crude oil, kerosene and gasoline.

Tiger Pak “FF” is a pliable, injection-gun type plastic bulk packing with a high TFE content and a non-asbestos binder blended with a chemical and solvent resistant synthetic oil and selected anti-extrusion fibers. This matrix is formulated to energize split-box type V-packing gland designs and forms a positive stem seal at pressures up to 30,000 psi. The effective temperature range is from -20 deg. to 450 deg. F.

“FF” is the same formulation as Tiger Pak “F”, but with smaller anti-extrusion particles for ease of injection through ball check fittings primarily in wellhead applications.

Additional benefits are:

1. It can be injected through a ball check fitting in the field to pack off or rejuvenate leaking stem packing glands.
2. It can be furnished in selected strip sizes with a semi-solid TFE mixture applied on one side to impart and maintain low operating torques for gate valve stems.
3. It contains anti-extrusion fibers that effectively bridge damaged seal leak paths.

Tiger Pak “FF” is a special formulation for fuels. It is suitable for application on regular and premium no lead gasoline, regular leaded gasoline, diesel fuel (all grades), Jet A fuel, distillate petroleum solvents, cyclohexane, oils, LPG. natural gas, dry hydrogen and MTBE.

Properties

• Type: Plastic Bulk
• Corrosion: None
• Moisture Content: Nil
• Metal Adhesion: Non-Coating
• Grades Available: Stick, Strips
• Color: Dark Green

Tiger Pak “F” is a pliable, injection-gun type plastic bulk packing with a high TFE content and a non-asbestos binder blended with a chemical and solvent resistant synthetic oil and selected anti-extrusion fibers. This matrix is formulated to energize split-box type V-packing gland designs and forms a positive stem seal at pressures up to 30,000 psi. The effective temperature range is from -20 deg. to 450 deg. F.

Additional benefits are:

1. It can be injected through a ball check fitting in the field to pack off or rejuvenate leaking stem packing glands.
2. It can be furnished in selected strip sizes with a semi-solid PTFE mixture applied on one side to impart and maintain low operating torques for gate valve stems.
3. It contains anti-extrusion fibers that effectively bridge damaged seal leak paths.

Tiger Pak “F” is a special formulation for fuels. It is suitable for application on regular and premium no lead gasoline, regular leaded gasoline, diesel fuel (all grades), Jet A fuel, distillate petroleum solvents, oils, LPG. natural gas and MTBE.

Properties

• Type: Plastic Bulk
• Corrosion: None
• Moisture Content: Nil
• Metal Adhesion: Non-Coating
• Grades Available: Stick, Strips
• Color: Dark Green

Tiger Pak Wellhead is a pliable, injection-gun type plastic bulk packing with a high TFE content and a non-asbestos binder blended with a chemical and solvent resistant synthetic oil and selected anti-extrusion fibers. This matrix is formulated to energize wellhead gland designs and forms a positive seal. The effective temperature range is from -65 to 450 deg. F.

Additional benefits are:

1. It can be injected through a ball check fitting in the field to pack off or rejuvenate leaking wellhead packing gland seals.
2. It has a unique characteristic of “lubricity with tack”. This feature allows high metal adhesion under extreme pressures while imparting low operating torques. It contains anti-extrusion fibers that bridge damaged leak paths.
3. Tiger Pak Wellhead is suitable for application on distillate petroleum solvents, crude oil, some fuels, natural gas, steam and aqueous solutions, glycols, water, vegetable oils, dilute acids, alkalies, Carbon Dioxide, Hydrogen Sulfide, and hydro-lubes.

For unleaded gasoline, MTBE, LPG and natural gas condensate service TigerPAK “F” or “FF” is recommended.

Properties

• Color: Light Green
• Type: Plastic Bulk
• Corrosion: None
• Moisture Content: Nil
• Metal Adhesion Non-Coating
• Grades Available: Stick, Strips

Tiger Pak (The original, now usually called Tiger Pak Blue) is a pliable, injection-gun type plastic bulk packing with a highTFE content and a non-asbestos binder blended with a chemical and solvent resistant synthetic oil and selected anti-extrusion fibers. This matrix is formulated to energize split-box type V-packing gland designs and forms a positive stem seal at pressures up to 30,000 psi. The effective temperature range is from -85 deg. to 450 deg. F. (600 deg. F. with several days of additional “top off” injections.)

Additional benefits are:

1. It can be injected through a ball check fitting in the field to pack off or rejuvenate leaking stem packing glands.
2. It can be furnished in selected strip sizes with a semi-solid TFE mixture applied on one side to impart and maintain low operating torques for gate valve stems.
3. It has a unique characteristic of “lubricity with tack”. This feature allows high metal adhesion under extreme pressure while imparting low operating torques. Many other types of packing will tack to a valve stem so positively that they are removed from the gland during actuation, resulting in higher operating torques.
4. It contains anti-extrusion fibers that effectively bridge damaged seal leak paths.

TIGER PAK is suitable for application on distillate petroleum solvents, crude oil, LPG, natural gas, steam and aqueous solutions, glycols, water, vegetable oils, dilute acids, alkalies, Carbon Dioxide, Hydrogen Sulfide, and hydro-lubes

For unleaded gasoline, MTBE and natural gas condensate service Tiger-PAK “F” is recommended.

Properties

• Color Blue
• Type Plastic Bulk
• Corrosion None
• Moisture Content Nil
• Metal Adhesion Non-Coating
• Grades Available Stick, Strips