PTFE Gland Packing & Braided PTFE Packing
International Seal supplies PTFE gland packing, also known as braided PTFE packing or Teflon-style gland packing, for industrial sealing applications requiring excellent chemical resistance, low friction and reliable sealing performance. PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) is a high-performance fluoropolymer offering exceptional resistance to many chemicals, solvents, acids and alkalis. When manufactured into braided gland packing, it provides a flexible sealing material suitable for pumps, valves, agitators and other rotating, reciprocating or static equipment.
Our PTFE gland packing range can accommodate different braided constructions, including pure PTFE, expanded PTFE and selected PTFE-based packing materials, depending on application requirements.
International Seal supplies gland packing to distributors, OEMs and industrial customers throughout the UK and internationally, supporting maintenance, replacement, repeat orders and volume requirements.
PTFE Gland Packing Specifications
PTFE gland packing combines broad chemical resistance with low-friction characteristics, making it a practical sealing solution for chemical processing and general industrial equipment.
- Excellent Resistance to Many Acids, Alkalis & Solvents
- Low Coefficient of Friction
- Good Resistance to Chemical Degradation
- Suitable for Pumps, Valves & Industrial Equipment
- Braided Packing Constructions
- Pure PTFE & Expanded PTFE Options
- Square Section Packing Options
Operating temperature, pressure, shaft speed and chemical compatibility depend on the packing construction, lubricant and specific material grade.
PTFE Gland Packing Sizes
PTFE gland packing is available in a range of square cross-sectional sizes for industrial pumps, valves and general process equipment. Our range includes packing supplied in 8 metre coils and 25 metre reels, providing flexible options for maintenance, servicing and industrial sealing requirements.
The appropriate packing size depends on the equipment’s stuffing box dimensions, shaft or stem diameter and operating conditions.
| Cross-Section (mm) | Coil Length | Reel Length |
|---|---|---|
| 3 × 3 | 8 m | 25 m |
| 4 × 4 | 8 m | 25 m |
| 5 × 5 | 8 m | 25 m |
| 6 × 6 | 8 m | 25 m |
| 8 × 8 | 8 m | 25 m |
| 9.5 × 9.5 | 8 m | 25 m |
| 10 × 10 | 8 m | 25 m |
| 12 × 12 | 8 m | 25 m |
| 12.5 × 12.5 | 8 m | 25 m |
| 14 × 14 | 8 m | 25 m |
| 16 × 16 | 8 m | 25 m |
| 18 × 18 | 8 m | 25 m |
| 19 × 19 | 8 m | 25 m |
| 20 × 20 | 8 m | 25 m |
| 22 × 22 | 8 m | 25 m |
| 25 × 25 | 8 m | 25 m |
PTFE gland packing requirements may vary depending on operating temperature, pressure, shaft speed and chemical compatibility. Selecting the correct cross-section and packing construction is important for achieving reliable sealing performance.
International Seal can review standard and customer-specific PTFE gland packing requirements for industrial maintenance, equipment manufacturers and distributors throughout the UK and Europe.
For pricing and availability, please provide your required cross-section, packing length, quantity and application details.
What is PTFE Gland Packing?
PTFE gland packing is a braided sealing material manufactured using polytetrafluoroethylene fibres, yarns or expanded PTFE materials. It is installed into the stuffing box of pumps, valves and other industrial equipment, where compression from the gland follower creates a seal around a shaft or spindle. Unlike flat gaskets, which are generally used between stationary mating surfaces, gland packing is designed to form a sealing interface around moving or stationary shafts.
PTFE is particularly useful in applications involving aggressive chemicals because of its resistance to a wide variety of industrial process fluids. Its low-friction characteristics can also help reduce resistance between the packing and the shaft surface when correctly selected and installed. However, PTFE has relatively low thermal conductivity and can be susceptible to creep under sustained compression. These characteristics must be considered when selecting packing for high-speed or high-pressure equipment.
PTFE Gland Packing Properties
Chemical Resistance
PTFE offers exceptional resistance to a wide range of chemicals, including many strong acids, alkalis, solvents and aggressive process fluids. This makes PTFE gland packing particularly suitable for chemical processing equipment, pumps and valves handling compatible corrosive media. Chemical compatibility should always be checked against the complete packing construction, including any lubricants or additional fibres.
Low Friction
PTFE has a naturally low coefficient of friction, helping reduce resistance between the packing and the shaft or spindle. When correctly installed and adjusted, suitable PTFE packing can provide effective sealing while helping minimise unnecessary friction and associated shaft wear.
Temperature Resistance
PTFE provides excellent thermal and chemical stability across a broad temperature range. The allowable operating temperature for gland packing depends on the braided construction, lubricant, shaft speed and sealing environment. Heat generated through friction must also be considered in rotating equipment.
Sealing Flexibility
Braided PTFE packing can conform to the available gland space when compressed, helping create a controlled sealing interface.Packing performance depends on correct section sizing, installation, gland adjustment and the operating conditions of the equipment.
PTFE Gland Packing Constructions
Different PTFE packing constructions can be selected to accommodate chemical exposure, mechanical requirements and operating conditions.
Pure PTFE Gland Packing
Pure PTFE packing is manufactured using PTFE fibres or yarns and is commonly selected for applications requiring excellent chemical resistance and low friction. It is particularly suited to compatible chemical processing equipment and valve applications where the purity of the packing material may be important.
Expanded PTFE Gland Packing
Expanded PTFE packing is manufactured from flexible expanded PTFE yarns, providing a conformable sealing material for pumps, valves and industrial equipment. Its construction can help the packing adapt to gland surfaces and shaft irregularities, making it useful for certain maintenance and replacement applications.
PTFE-Based Composite Packing
PTFE can also be combined with additional fibres or lubricating materials to improve particular mechanical or operational characteristics. Graphite-containing PTFE packing, for example, may provide improved heat dissipation and performance in suitable rotating equipment. The correct construction should be selected according to the operating media, temperature, pressure and shaft speed.
Typical PTFE Gland Packing Applications
PTFE gland packing is widely used across industrial applications where chemical resistance and low-friction sealing properties are required.
Typical applications include:
- Chemical Processing Pumps
- Industrial Valves & Valve Stems
- Centrifugal Pumps
- Reciprocating Equipment
- Agitators & Mixers
- Water Treatment Equipment
- Pharmaceutical Processing Equipment
- Food & Beverage Processing Equipment
- Chemical Transfer Systems
- General Process Equipment
- Maintenance & Replacement Packing
- Industrial Fluid Handling Systems
For food, beverage and pharmaceutical applications, the specific packing grade and supporting material compliance documentation must be verified before use.
PTFE Packing for Pumps & Valves
PTFE gland packing is commonly used to seal shafts and spindles in industrial pumps and valves.In rotating equipment, packing selection must account for shaft speed, lubrication, frictional heat and the possibility of controlled leakage being necessary to cool and lubricate the sealing interface. In valve applications, the packing is compressed around the valve stem to reduce leakage while allowing the required stem movement.
Correct installation is essential to achieve suitable sealing performance without excessive gland loading or unnecessary wear. For pumps operating at higher speeds or under demanding mechanical conditions, alternative packing constructions may be more suitable.
PTFE Gland Packing Material Selection
PTFE gland packing is primarily selected where chemical resistance and low friction are important. Compared with graphite gland packing, pure PTFE generally offers broader resistance to many aggressive chemicals but has lower thermal conductivity.
Aramid gland packing may provide improved abrasion resistance for certain demanding applications, while carbon fibre packing can offer alternative mechanical and thermal characteristics. The correct material depends on the process media, operating temperature, pressure, shaft speed and equipment design.
For specialist applications, International Seal can assist with reviewing suitable packing options against the operating requirements.
PTFE Gland Packing FAQs
What is PTFE gland packing?
PTFE gland packing is a braided sealing material manufactured from polytetrafluoroethylene fibres or yarns. It is installed into stuffing boxes to provide sealing around pump shafts, valve stems and other industrial equipment.
What is PTFE gland packing used for?
PTFE gland packing is used in pumps, valves, agitators, mixers and process equipment where resistance to chemicals and low-friction sealing are required.
Is PTFE gland packing chemically resistant?
Yes. PTFE provides excellent resistance to many acids, alkalis, solvents and industrial chemicals. However, suitability depends on the complete packing construction and operating conditions.
What is the difference between pure PTFE and expanded PTFE gland packing?
Pure PTFE packing is generally manufactured from PTFE fibres or filament yarns, while expanded PTFE packing uses a more conformable expanded PTFE structure. The two constructions can offer different compression, handling and sealing characteristics.
Can PTFE gland packing be used in pumps?
Yes. Suitable PTFE packing grades can be used in industrial pumps. However, shaft speed, pressure, operating temperature and frictional heat must be considered to avoid excessive wear or packing damage.
Is PTFE gland packing suitable for food processing?
Certain PTFE gland packing grades may be suitable for food-processing applications where the appropriate material compliance requirements are met. Food-contact suitability must be confirmed against the specific packing grade and its supporting documentation.
What is the difference between PTFE and graphite gland packing?
PTFE is particularly useful for applications requiring resistance to aggressive chemicals and low friction. Graphite packing generally offers improved thermal conductivity and can be more suitable for certain high-temperature applications.
Need PTFE Gland Packing?
International Seal supplies PTFE gland packing for pumps, valves and industrial process equipment across the UK and internationally. Send us your required cross-section, quantity and application details, and our team will provide a competitive quotation.
For specialist applications, include the operating temperature, pressure, shaft speed and process media so that the suitability of the packing material can be reviewed.