Introduction: What Is Expanded PTFE Joint Sealant?
Expanded PTFE joint sealant – also known as expanded PTFE tape gasket or joint sealant tape – is a modern sealing material made from 100% expanded PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). It comes as a continuous white tape (often on a spool) with an adhesive backing for easy application. Expanded PTFE joint sealant is highly flexible and compressible, allowing it to conform to irregular surfaces and flange faces. Unlike pre-cut gaskets, this form-in-place gasket tape can be cut to any length and shaped on-site, making it ideal for large or non-standard flanges where a one-piece gasket would be impractical. This material exhibits outstanding performance properties: it is chemically inert (compatible with virtually all chemicals, from acids to solvents) and non-reactive, has excellent creep resistance (minimal cold flow under load), and withstands extreme temperatures from approximately -268 °C to +260 °C in continuous service. Expanded PTFE does not age or harden over time and has a low coefficient of friction (self-lubricating), which helps prevent sticking to flange surfaces. In practical terms, these advantages mean expanded PTFE joint sealant can create a reliable, long-lasting seal even on damaged or delicate flanges, all while being easy to install and replace.
Key Advantages: Expanded PTFE tape gaskets offer a unique combination of technical and practical benefits. They require only a low bolt tightening force to achieve a seal, which protects fragile equipment (like glass-lined steel reactors) from excessive stress. The tape easily conforms to surface imperfections – scratches, gaps, or warping – ensuring a tight seal where traditional gaskets might leak. Installation is quick, and cleanup is minimal, which reduces downtime during maintenance. Moreover, because the tape is cut to length on demand, inventory and waste are reduced – no need to stock numerous gasket sizes or discard old gaskets due to custom size issues
These advantages make expanded PTFE joint sealants an increasingly popular choice for engineers and plant maintenance teams that value performance and convenience.
Tools and Materials Needed for Installation
Before installing an expanded PTFE joint sealant tape, gather the necessary tools and materials for a smooth installation:
Expanded PTFE joint sealant tape: Choose the appropriate width and thickness for your flange. Ensure it’s the correct material grade for your service (some recordings are available in different density or multi-directional styles for specific needs).
Cleaning supplies: Solvent or cleaning agent and rags/brushes to clean flange surfaces. A scraper may be needed to remove old gasket residue.
Measuring tape or ruler: Measure the circumference of the flange or equipment so you can cut enough tape.
Scissors or a Utility knife: For cutting the PTFE tape to length. A sharp knife can also be used to trim or skive the tape’s ends for a smoother overlap.
Torque wrench and appropriate sockets: To tighten bolts to the specified torque. A calibrated torque wrench is critical for achieving the proper gasket compression.
Bolts, nuts, washers: (if reassembling a flange) Ensure you have the correct size and grade of bolts. It’s good practice to use new bolts or well-cleaned threads for reliable sealing, per industry guidelines.
Protective equipment: Gloves and safety glasses (as with any maintenance task).
Having these tools ready will make the installation process efficient and ensure a high-quality seal.
Step-by-Step Installation of Expanded PTFE Tape Gasket
Installing an expanded PTFE tape gasket is straightforward. Below is a step-by-step guide using standard industry best practices:
Prepare and Clean the Surfaces: Completely clean the mating flange faces or sealing surfaces
Remove any dirt, corrosion, old gasket remnants, oil, or other contaminants. A clean, dry surface ensures the PTFE tape will adhere well and seal properly. (Any debris left on the flange could create a leak path.)
Measure the Required Tape Length: Use a tape measure to determine the perimeter of the flange or the length needed to surround the opening. Cut a length of expanded PTFE joint sealant tape slightly longer than this measurement. It’s recommended to have a small excess length for creating an overlap joint. For example, you might cut an extra 2–3 cm to ensure a proper overlap of the tape ends
Apply the Tape to the Flange: Remove a small portion of the adhesive backing from one end of the tape to expose the sticky side, Starting next to a bolt hole, press the tape firmly onto the cleaned flange face, placing it as close to the bolt holes as possible around the inner side of the bolt circle. Continue to peel off the backing and work your way around the flange, sticking the tape evenly. Do not stretch the tape during application; just lay it in place with slight tension so it stays flat.
Join and Overlap the Ends: When you reach the starting point, create a joint by overlapping the tape ends. Overlap by about 1–2 cm (at least about ½ inch) to ensure a continuous seal. It’s often best to cut the end of the tape at an angle (a skive cut) and overlap the tape in a tapered fashion – this avoids a thick double-layer bump at the overlap. By tapering the ends and overlapping, you achieve a uniform thickness roughly 120% of a single layer, ensuring consistent compression across the joint. Trim off any excess tape beyond the overlap.
Install and Tighten the Bolts: Assemble the flange (or cover) and insert the bolts. Hand-tighten all nuts first. Then, using a torque wrench, tighten the bolts in a cross-star pattern (alternating opposite bolts) in multiple passes. A typical guideline (based on ASME PCC-1) is to tighten in 3–4 gradual increments: e.g. 30% of final torque, then 70%, then 100%, followed by a final pass at 100% in a circular sequence around the flange; This progressive tightening ensures the expanded PTFE gasket tape is compressed evenly and avoids uneven stress on flanges. Do not overtighten beyond the recommended torque – PTFE is soft, and over-compression can cause the tape to extrude or the flange to deform.
Final Torque Check: After the initial tightening passes, perform a circumferential torque check – go around the flange one more time in order, checking that each bolt still meets the target torque. Because PTFE can exhibit minor creep (especially in the first moments of compression), bolts might relax slightly. A final uniform pass helps achieve a consistent seal.
Inspection: Inspect the joint for any visible gaps or misalignment. If possible, pressurize the system slightly and check for leaks at the flange edge. In many cases, expanded PTFE joint sealant will seal right away. If a leak is detected, you may tighten the bolts a bit more (within safe limits) or, if necessary, depressurize and reapply the tape in case of installation error.
Tip: For very large flanges or those with fragile materials (like glass-lined steel), consider a waiting or “dwell” period before the final torque pass. Industry practice (per ASME PCC-1 2019 guidelines) recommends waiting about 4 hours after initial tightening, then re-checking bolt torque. This pause allows the gasket to relax any short-term creep and can improve long-term sealing by restoring any lost bolt tension. By following these installation steps, you ensure that the expanded PTFE tape gasket is seated correctly and will perform optimally under pressure.
Bolt Torque Calculation and Standards Compliance
Determining the proper bolt torque is critical for gasket performance. Too little bolt load can lead to leaks, while too much can damage the gasket or flange. Expanded PTFE gaskets, being softer, typically require relatively lower bolt stress to seal compared to hard gaskets, but proper preload is still essential for a reliable joint.
Torque Calculation Methods: In practice, the required torque is calculated based on the desired gasket stress, the flange size, bolt size, lubrication, and gasket material properties. A simplified approach often uses the formula: T = K × D × F, where T is torque, D is bolt diameter, F is the desired bolt force (related to gasket stress), and K is a nut factor (friction coefficient). However, real-world conditions can complicate this, which is why engineers refer to established standards and guidelines.
Relevant Standards: Two key standards guide bolted flange joints:
ASME PCC-1 – “Guidelines for Pressure Boundary Bolted Flange Joint Assembly.” This American standard provides bolt tightening procedures, target bolt stress levels, and assembly best practices for leak-free joints. It includes both a simplified guidance approach and a detailed calculation method for determining target torque. ASME PCC-1 emphasizes using multiple incremental torque sequences (as described above) and checking that bolt stress is within safe limits for the bolts and flanges.
EN 1591-1 – “Flanges and their joints – Design rules for gasketed circular flange connections (European Standard).” This is an advanced calculation method widely used in Europe for designing bolted joints. EN 1591-1 takes into account a multitude of factors (gasket characteristics, flange rotation, elastic interactions, etc.) to ensure both structural integrity and tightness of the joint. It’s a more detailed analytical approach, often implemented via software, to determine the required bolt preload that will maintain a specified leak-tightness class.
In practical terms, many gasket manufacturers and engineers use torque lookup tables derived from these standards or testing. These tables specify a torque value for a given flange size, bolt size, and gasket material to achieve a reliable seal. When using expanded PTFE joint sealant, consult the product’s technical datasheet or the manufacturer’s recommendations for torque. They may specify a target compressive stress range (e.g., a seating stress of X N/mm²) for the tape gasket and the corresponding bolt torque to achieve it. Important: Always ensure the calculated bolt load does not exceed the flange’s pressure rating or the bolt material limits. ASME PCC-1 guides maximum bolt stress (often using a percentage of bolt yield strength, like 50–70% of yield) to avoid bolt yielding or flange damage
Conversely, a minimum bolt stress is needed to prevent leakage
The standards help identify that as well. By adhering to these standards and using a calibrated torque wrench, maintenance personnel and engineers can achieve a uniform gasket compression that results in a secure, leak-free seal.
Special Applications and Considerations
One of the reasons expanded PTFE tape gaskets are so valued is their versatility in challenging sealing scenarios. Below are some special application cases and how expanded PTFE joint sealant addresses them:
Irregular or Damaged Surfaces: For flanges or equipment with scratches, pitting, or distortion, expanded PTFE tape is a savior. The material’s soft, conformable nature allows it to fill in grooves and imperfections on the flange face. Common gaskets might require a perfectly smooth surface, but PTFE joint sealant can compensate for machining marks or corrosion damage. This is especially useful in the maintenance of older equipment – you can avoid costly flange resurfacing by using the joint sealant tape to achieve a seal on a less-than-perfect face.
Fragile or Low-Strength Flanges: Equipment like glass-lined steel reactors, enamel-coated flanges, plastic flanges, or FRP (fiberglass) flanges cannot tolerate high bolt loads. Expanded PTFE joint sealant provides an effective seal under low assembly pressure. Even with a modest bolt torque, the tape will compress and conform to the surface, protecting fragile linings from cracking. This tape is commonly used in glass-lined and graphite-lined equipment in chemical plants because it seals at low stress and prevents the need for excessive bolt torque that could damage the lining. For extremely fragile flanges, a multi-directional expanded PTFE tape may be preferred, as it has higher strength and stability (expanded in two directions) to distribute the load evenly without significant lateral spread
Large Diameter Flanges: In large tanks, heat exchangers, or pipe flanges of big diameters, cutting a one-piece gasket is difficult, and maintaining a good seal can be challenging due to possible flange rotation and uneven pressure. Expanded PTFE tape gaskets shine here because you can fabricate the gasket on-site to any size needed. They are not dependent on flange dimensions – a single spool can gasket many different diameters. The tape’s flexibility also accommodates any out-of-flatness often found in large flanges. For very large flanges, the use of PTFE joint sealant tape can drastically reduce lead time (no waiting for a custom gasket) and ensure a seal despite any minor flange warping.
Cryogenic and High-Temperature Service: PTFE’s ability to remain functional at extreme temperatures makes expanded PTFE sealant a go-to choice for both cryogenic applications and moderately high temperature applications. expanded PTFE is typically rated from -268 °C (−450°F) up to +260 °C (500°F). At cryogenic temperatures, PTFE does not become brittle like many other materials, ensuring a tight seal in LNG systems, cold gas processing, or liquid nitrogen piping. At the high end, PTFE’s 260 °C limit covers most steam and process heating systems (beyond this, it will creep more and eventually degrade). Always verify the tape’s specified temperature range, and remember that exposure to the upper limit continuously may shorten its life. Within its range, ePTFE tape remains stable and doesn’t harden, which is an advantage in cycling temperatures where gaskets need to expand and contract.
Chemical Resistance and Purity: Because expanded PTFE is pure PTFE with no fillers, it is chemically inert across the full pH 0-14 range. It resists acids, alkalis, solvents, fuels, and corrosive gases. This makes it suitable for highly aggressive chemical services (e.g., strong acids, chlorine, peroxide) where other gasket materials would degrade. Additionally, PTFE is non-contaminating – it won’t leach impurities, which is critical for high-purity applications. Industries like pharmaceuticals, food processing, and ultra-pure water systems often use expanded PTFE gaskets since they will not contaminate the fluids and can meet FDA compliance in their virgin form (Always confirm if the specific product is FDA-approved if using in a sanitary service.)
Irregular Shapes and Equipment with Obstructions: Expanded PTFE joint sealant isn’t limited to standard flange shapes. You can use it to seal practically any shape (within reason) by forming it around the sealing surface. For example, if you have a rectangular manway or an equipment hatch with an irregular perimeter, you can apply the tape accordingly. Moreover, if a flange has a fixed stud or a pipe penetrating through it (like a nozzle or sight glass), the flexible tape can be wrapped around it without needing to cut a special gasket. Dynamic equipment: In some cases, ePTFE tape gasket is even used on pump or valve bodies where a shaft passes through the flange – its flexibility allows sealing around the shaft without complete disassembly. This is not possible with one-piece gaskets and highlights the tape’s advantage in maintenance situations.
Each of these scenarios demonstrates the versatility of expanded PTFE tape gaskets. By selecting the right type (multi-directional expanded PTFE, appropriate size) and installing carefully, engineers can solve sealing challenges that would be difficult for conventional gaskets.
Key Performance Properties of Expanded PTFE
Expanded PTFE joint sealant owes its success to a set of key properties that differentiate it from other gasket materials. Below are the critical performance characteristics:
Compressibility and Resilience: The tape is soft and easily compresses under bolt load to fill surface irregularities, yet it has good elastic recovery (spring-back). This ensures a tight seal that can adjust to minor flange movements or pressure changes without leaking. Even under low bolt force, it forms an effective seal, which is crucial for delicate equipment.
Creep Resistance: Standard PTFE can suffer from “cold flow” (creep under constant load), but the expanded PTFE’s microcellular structure significantly reduces this tendency
The fibrillated structure of ePTFE provides multi-directional strength, meaning it maintains thickness under load better than plain PTFE sheets. This translates to a more stable long-term seal with less bolt torque loss over time.
Chemical Inertness: PTFE is often called a “universal gasket” material for chemical service because it is virtually inert to all chemicals except a few uncommon ones. Expanded PTFE retains this chemical resistance. It can be used with strong acids (sulfuric, hydrochloric), caustics, solvents, fuels, oxidizers, and refrigerants without degrading. This inertness also means it won’t contaminate sensitive fluids – a reason it’s used in food, pharma, and ultra-pure applications.
Wide Temperature Range: As noted, ePTFE performs from cryogenic temperatures up to about 260 °C. It doesn’t become brittle in the cold or excessively soft at moderate heat. Many other gasket materials (like rubber or non-asbestos fiber gaskets) have narrower ranges or degrade in harsh temperatures, whereas PTFE remains reliable within its range.
Non-Aging and Weather Resistance: PTFE does not undergo aging in the way rubbers or fibers do. It doesn’t embrittle with time or exposure to UV, ozone, or weather. An expanded PTFE tape gasket on a flange can be in service for years and, if the process conditions are stable and within its limits, it will remain as effective as when first installed. This long service life is a cost benefit in many industries.
Low Friction / Non-Stick: PTFE’s low-friction surface means that it won’t stick strongly to flange faces. When disassembling the joint later, cleanup is easier – the old tape typically peels off without gouging the flange. It also implies self-lubrication: as the joint expands or contracts (thermally or mechanically), the gasket can accommodate some movement without tearing.
Adhesive Backing: Most expanded PTFE joint sealant tapes come with a one-sided adhesive strip. While the adhesive doesn’t contribute to sealing performance at operating conditions, it greatly aids installation by holding the tape in place on the vertical or downward-facing flanges before bolting. This makes it effectively a one-person job in many cases. The adhesive is usually pressure-sensitive and sticks well to clean metal surfaces, yet it’s easy to remove later without leaving significant residue.
Long Shelf Life: As an inert polymer, PTFE joint sealant doesn’t dry out or expire. You can keep spools of the tape on the shelf for long periods, and they will remain ready to use, unlike some elastomeric gaskets that harden over time. This makes inventory management simpler – you can stock various sizes of tape and know they’ll be usable whenever needed.
These properties combine to deliver excellent sealing performance. In essence, expanded PTFE tape gasket behaves like a highly engineered gasket that is form-fitted to each flange during installation, with the material’s unique characteristics ensuring reliability across a broad range of conditions.
Applications Across Industries
Thanks to the above properties, expanded PTFE tape gaskets have broad applicability across numerous industries. Below are some key industries and how they benefit from using expanded PTFE joint sealant:
Chemical Processing: Perhaps the heaviest users of expanded PTFE joint sealants, chemical plants value its resistance to aggressive chemicals and its ability to seal old flanges. Whether it’s an acid line, a caustic soda tank flange, or a chlorine service, ePTFE gaskets provide leak-tight performance without being eaten away by the media. Its conformability also allows sealing on equipment that has faced corrosion or has glass/lining, common in chemical reactors and storage vessels
Oil & Gas: From upstream installations to refineries and petrochemical plants, the oil and gas industry handles a range of fluids and gases at varying pressures and temperatures. Expanded PTFE tape gaskets are used on piping flanges, heat exchangers, and large diameter manways. They are especially handy during maintenance turnarounds – a spool of ePTFE can replace many different gasket sizes on the fly. The material’s tolerance to hydrocarbons, H₂S, and solvents, along with its fire-resistant nature (PTFE is self-extinguishing), makes it suitable for many O&G applications. However, note that for very high-pressure or fire-critical joints, specialized gaskets may be preferred (see Best Practices below).
Pharmaceutical & Biotech: Pharma plants require high purity and often have many glass-lined or stainless steel vessels. Expanded PTFE tape gaskets are clean (non-contaminating) and can be made FDA-compliant, so they are used in process equipment, hygienic pipe systems (in non-critical connections), and even some filter housings or reactor manways. They allow quick gasket fabrication during equipment changeovers or maintenance, reducing downtime. The ability to seal well under low bolt loads is advantageous for glass-lined reactor lids and centrifuge equipment in pharma facilities.
Energy & Power: Power plants (including nuclear, fossil, and geothermal) use expanded PTFE tape gaskets in various systems – from sealing instrument access covers to pump casings and heat exchanger flanges. In steam and condensate lines within the temperature range, ePTFE handles the heat and provides a reliable seal that can deal with thermal cycling. In the renewable energy sector (like biodiesel or ethanol plants), chemical compatibility and quick maintenance are benefits. Even in nuclear facilities, the inertness and predictable behavior of PTFE make it a candidate for certain gasket duties (though usually with rigorous verification).
Water Treatment and Utilities: Water and wastewater treatment plants often involve corrosive chemicals (chlorine, ozone, acids for pH control) and large piping systems. Expanded PTFE tape gaskets are ideal for sealing storage tank manholes, pump flanges, and pipe connectors in these facilities. They prevent leaks of corrosive media and can be applied easily during routine maintenance. Additionally, their long-term durability is a plus in water systems that must run continuously for years.
Food & Beverage Processing: In the food and beverage industries, PTFE is valued for being odorless, tasteless, and chemically inert. Expanded PTFE gaskets are found in equipment like mixers, spray dryers, distillation columns, and utility pipe flanges in these plants. They can seal in steam lines or flavoring chemical lines without risk of tainting the product. (Note: The tape must be an FDA-compliant grade for direct food contact use; see cautions below.)
Electronics and Semiconductor Manufacturing: These industries require ultra-pure water and chemicals (for example, semiconductor fabs use high-purity acids and solvents in process equipment). ePTFE joint sealant, being free of extractables and very clean, is used to seal ultra-pure water systems, chemical delivery systems, and vacuum pump lines. Its non-outgassing nature is important to maintain clean environments.
Metal Processing & Mining: In metallurgical plants and mining operations, there are often large flanges (on vats, ducts, or furnaces) and exposure to acids or abrasive slurries. Expanded PTFE tape gaskets can handle the acidic leach solutions or the solvents in extraction processes while conforming to pitted flanges on older equipment. The ease of creating custom large gaskets on-site is particularly useful when standard gasket sizes aren’t available in remote mining locations
Marine and Shipbuilding: Ships have many piping systems (fuel, ballast, cooling water, etc.) and often require quick repairs at sea or dock. A versatile gasket tape that can adapt to many flange sizes is a valuable part of a marine engineer’s toolkit. PTFE’s saltwater resistance and longevity in marine environments make it suitable for sealing hatch covers, pumps, and piping on vessels. It’s also used in offshore platforms for similar reasons.
In summary, expanded PTFE joint sealant is a multi-industry solution. Its ability to perform in chemically harsh and mechanically forgiving ways makes it an “all-rounder” for plant maintenance. From high-end pharmaceutical reactors to basic water pump flanges, the same roll of expanded PTFE tape gasket can serve them all
Best Operations and Cautionary Notes
To get the most out of expanded PTFE tape gaskets, consider the following best operations and be aware of a few limitations:
Best Operations:
Surface Prep & Alignment: Always thoroughly clean flanges and ensure they are properly aligned before bolting. While ePTFE will seal rough surfaces, proper flange alignment and flatness will optimize the seal and extend gasket life.
Choose the Right Tape Size: Use a tape width that matches the flange sealing surface width. Keep in mind that mono-directional ePTFE tape can expand laterally by 200–300% under compression
If the tape is too narrow, it might thin out and extrude; if too wide, it may overlap bolt holes. For wide flange faces or higher compression stability, consider a multidirectional tape that maintains its width under load
Overlap Smartly: Implement a proper overlap joint by skiving (angling) the tape ends and overlapping ~1–2 cm. This ensures a leak-free joint at the tape ends. Do not butt the ends without overlap, as that may create a leak path. The overlap area will be slightly thicker, so position it away from critical leak-prone sections (ideally not right at the bottom in vertical flanges where fluid could pool).
Torque in Steps: Always tighten bolts gradually in a cross pattern. Skipping this can lead to one side of the flange compressing the tape more than the opposite side, causing uneven sealing. After the final torque pass, a best practice is to allow a dwell time (e.g., a few hours, if possible) and then re-tighten each bolt to account for any relaxation. This is especially useful in high-pressure or high-temperature service where gasket creep can occur.
Retighten After Temperature Cycle: If the sealed joint will undergo a significant temperature change on startup (for instance, going from ambient to steam service), consider re-checking the bolt torques after the system has heated and then cooled once. PTFE’s thermal expansion is higher than metals; a controlled re-tightening (if the system can be taken out of service briefly) can sometimes be beneficial to catch any relaxation after the first thermal cycle. (Ensure the system is depressurized and at safe temperature before doing this.)
Storage and Handling: Store the tape in a cool, dry place in its original spool. Avoid crushing or creasing the tape. While PTFE isn’t harmed by UV or ozone, keeping it clean (dust-free) will make installation easier (adhesive sticks better to a clean tape).
Cautionary Notes (Limitations):
Not for Certain Applications: expanded PTFE joint sealants are not intended for medical implants or food packaging uses without proper certification. While PTFE itself is inert and even used in medical devices, the industrial-grade joint sealant tapes may be made in facilities or with adhesives not approved for direct medical or food contact. Unless a product is explicitly FDA-compliant or USP Class VI certified, do not use it to seal food or pharmaceutical products where it directly contacts the consumable goods. Always check the product datasheet – for food/beverage processing equipment, use only tapes that are labeled as FDA compliant, and for pharmaceutical/biotech, ensure it meets the necessary purity standards.
Temperature Limits: Do not exceed the temperature range of the gasket. Above roughly 260 °C (500 °F), PTFE will begin to decompose and lose its sealing properties. Likewise, at extremely cryogenic temperatures, while PTFE remains intact, the thermal contraction of metal parts can be significant – special consideration on bolt materials (like using low-temperature steel grades) is required. In short, stay within the recommended temperature limits for continuous service to ensure safety and performance.
Pressure and Mechanical Stress: Expanded PTFE tape gaskets are best suited for low to medium pressure applications. They are commonly used in systems up to about 40 bar (600 psi) or even higher, but for very high-pressure systems (e.g. high-pressure steam, >150 bar gas, etc.), metallic or composite gaskets (spiral wounds, ring-type joints) are usually preferred for safety. PTFE is a soft material; at very high internal pressures or very tight bolt spacing, it can extrude out of the flange faces if overstressed. If you must use it for higher pressure, ensure a proper flange design (grooved flanges or a wide tape) to contain the material.
Flange Gap & Blowout Risk: If a flange has a considerable gap or only a few bolts, the uneven force can risk a gasket “blowout”. This is where part of the tape gets forced out from between the flanges under pressure. To mitigate this, do not under-size the tape cross-section. Also, for critical joints consider using a gasket tape with a retention guide or a different gasket style if appropriate. Always evaluate the consequence of failure – for extremely hazardous media, you may want a belt-and-suspenders approach (for example, an expanded PTFE tape plus a compression stop or guard).
Dynamic Movements: While expanded PTFE tape can handle minor movements and vibration (and even wrap around shafts in some cases), it is not meant for joints with constant dynamic movement or large cyclic separation. For example, it’s not suitable as a valve stem packing (there are other PTFE packings for that) or in expansion joints that move significantly. Use it in primarily static joints. Excess motion could wear the PTFE or cause it to cold-flow, resulting in leaks over time.
Reuse: Do not reuse an expanded PTFE tape gasket once the joint has been opened. The material will have been compressed and may not spring back sufficiently, or could be damaged upon opening. Always install a fresh tape if a sealed flange is disassembled. The good news is that installation is quick, and the cost per joint is relatively low, so there’s little incentive to try reusing it.
By following these best practices and being mindful of the limitations, you can ensure safe, efficient, and effective use of expanded PTFE joint sealant in your facility. When used appropriately, this material provides a combination of ease-of-use and reliable performance that is highly valued in industrial maintenance and sealing applications
In conclusion, expanded PTFE joint sealant represents a hybrid of technical innovation and practical problem-solving in the sealing world. It delivers the chemical resistance and toughness that engineers demand, while offering the flexibility and convenience that maintenance teams appreciate. By leveraging its strengths – and applying it with the same care and standards as any critical gasket – plant engineers, procurement professionals, and managers can significantly improve the reliability of their sealed connections, reduce inventory complexity, and minimize downtime across a wide range of applications. This blend of performance and practicality is why expanded PTFE tape gaskets have become a go-to solution in industries from chemical processing to water treatment, and a key tool in the arsenal for achieving leak-free operations.
