Kammprofile gaskets

A Kammprofile gasket consists of a machined metal core with concentric grooves. Its faces are generally covered with a softer sealing layer.

This construction concentrates load at the groove peaks while allowing the facing to fill microscopic flange irregularities.

Kammprofile gaskets are used on:

• heat exchangers;
• steam generators;
• process equipment;
• chemical and petrochemical plants;
• flanges requiring a robust gasket that remains easy to handle at large diameters.

Different core thicknesses are available depending on diameter and construction. Large sizes and special shapes are assessed on request.

Common materials include:

• 304 / 316 / 321 stainless steel;
• soft iron;
• Duplex;
• nickel alloys such as Inconel;
• other alloys to suit the operating conditions.

The facing is most commonly made from:

• graphite;
• PTFE;
• modified PTFE;
• mica;
• other materials suited to the fluid and temperature.

Graphite is particularly common where excellent sealing performance is required with moderate gasket seating stress.

EST-K7P

Kammprofile gasket without an outer ring, suited in particular to confined and tongue-and-groove assemblies.

EST-K9P

Kammprofile gasket with an outer ring, intended in particular for flat-face or raised-face flanges, depending on the configuration.

EST-K15P

Kammprofile gasket with a floating outer ring, particularly suitable for certain gas applications or where major thermal gradients exist between the inner and outer diameters.

Two principal geometries are available: parallel and convex profiles. On a convex profile, groove depth varies to concentrate more contact pressure towards the central sealing zone.

European Sealing Technology has experience manufacturing very large Kammprofile gaskets and constructions with pass-partition bars, particularly for shell-and-tube heat exchangers.

The Flexitallic® Flexpro brochure also demonstrates the feasibility of oval, obround, rectangular and irregular shapes, depending on design.

Large sizes and special shapes are available subject to application review.

Certain Kammprofile constructions with costly or large-diameter cores can technically be refurbished by replacing the facing, provided the core is inspected and found suitable for reuse.