Graphite, the core material for manufacturing graphite seals, is crystalline, overlapping, natural graphite. Thermal decomposition of these bonds results in loose flakes. These flakes are then compressed into a film whereby the graphite particles realign themselves. Through this alignment, properties with large directional dependency result - such as thermal and electrical conductivity.
As graphite has metallic lustre and a significant thermal and electrical conductivity, it may be called a metal-carbon modification.

This is how one may define graphite in general terms. But what advantages does graphite offer over other materials?

Advantages:

• stable in temperatures from -220°C up to +550°C (in pure oxygen up to +300°C)
• high chemical resistance against almost all media (see chemical resistance list)
• non-combustible
• good mechanical properties over the entire temperature range
• very flexible
• resistant to aging, does not become brittle
• safe for human health
• resistant to radiation
• large range between the minimum and maximum pressure
• universal use