Pre-cut gaskets are often difficult to match for irregular flanges, damaged sealing surfaces, or custom equipment. Expanded PTFE sealing cord provides a flexible alternative by allowing users to cut the required length on-site and form a gasket directly according to the sealing area. Its soft expanded structure adapts to rough, pitted, and uneven surfaces while maintaining reliable sealing with low bolt torque.
Made from ePTFE, the cord delivers excellent chemical resistance across pH 0–14 media, with a temperature range of -196°C to +200°C and pressure capability up to 100 bar. Contact Taifno today to get a fast sealing solution for maintenance and non-standard applications.
Expanded PTFE Sealing Cord is a continuous sealing material manufactured from 100% pure PTFE resin through an expansion process. Its soft micro-porous structure provides excellent compressibility and flexibility, allowing the cord to adapt to irregular sealing areas, gaps, and complex flange geometries while maintaining reliable sealing performance.
Designed for easy field installation, the cord can be cut to the required length, placed directly into the sealing groove or flange area, and compressed during assembly to form a durable gasket.
The self-adhesive option helps keep the cord in position, especially for vertical surfaces or difficult installation conditions.
The compressible structure fills uneven surfaces and sealing gaps that are difficult to cover with standard pre-cut gaskets.
Free from fillers and graphite, providing excellent chemical resistance and preventing contamination risks.
Remains flexible at cryogenic temperatures down to -196°C while maintaining sealing performance.
Resists creep and cold flow better than conventional PTFE, helping maintain sealing force during extended service.
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Problem |
How ePTFE Cord Solves It |
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Hundreds of gasket sizes to stock |
One roll replaces thousands of pre-cut gaskets — 4-6 cord sizes cover most applications |
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Custom shapes take too long |
Cut to length on-site — no waiting |
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Damaged or warped flanges leak |
Soft, conformable material fills scratches, pits, and irregularities |
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Cut gaskets waste material |
Cut exactly what you need — zero waste |
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Fragile flanges crack under high torque |
Seals with low bolt pressure — ideal for glass-lined and plastic flanges |
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Costly downtime waiting for gaskets |
Immediate availability — no waiting for custom cutting |
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Feature |
ePTFE Cord |
Pre-Cut Gaskets |
Conventional PTFE Sheet |
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Inventory |
One roll — replaces hundreds of sizes |
Every size must be stocked |
Multiple thicknesses and sizes |
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Custom Shapes |
Cut on-site — fits any shape |
Requires custom tooling or waiting |
Must be cut from sheet |
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Conformability |
★★★★★ fills scratches and pits |
★☆☆☆☆ rigid |
★☆☆☆☆ rigid |
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Cold Flow |
✅ No creep |
N/A |
❌ Creeps under load |
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Temperature |
-196°C to +200°C |
Depends on material |
-180°C to +200°C |
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Chemical Resistance |
pH 0-14 |
Depends on material |
pH 0-14 |
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Waste |
Zero |
Significant |
Significant |
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Total Cost |
Lowest |
Highest |
Moderate |
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If Your Application Is... |
Choose... |
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Damaged, scratched, or warped flanges |
ePTFE Cord |
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Glass-lined, ceramic, or plastic flanges |
ePTFE Cord — low bolt pressure |
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Large diameter flanges (over 24") |
ePTFE Cord — no custom gasket waiting |
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Odd-shaped or non-standard flanges |
ePTFE Cord — cut to fit any shape |
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Clean, smooth flanges, standard sizes |
Pre-cut gaskets |
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Flange Surface Condition |
Recommended Cord Size |
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Smooth, flat flanges |
1/3 of gasket contact area (W) |
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Rough, pitted, or scored flanges |
1/2 of gasket contact area (W) |
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Narrow flanges (≤7mm contact area) |
Full width gasket can be used |
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Industry |
Application |
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Chemical Processing |
Pipe flanges, reactor covers, heat exchangers — acids, solvents |
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Pharmaceutical |
Sterile equipment, bioreactors — FDA compliance |
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Food & Beverage |
Sanitary connections, filling equipment — FDA compliance |
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Pulp & Paper |
Large diameter flanges, digesters — thermal cycling |
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Power Generation |
Steam systems, condenser flanges — high temperature |
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Glass-lined Equipment |
Reactors, vessels — fragile surfaces, low torque |
Challenge: A chemical plant stocked 100+ gasket sizes for 20+ flange sizes. Inventory was expensive and space-consuming. Non-standard flanges caused days of downtime waiting for custom gaskets.
Solution: Replaced all cut gaskets with expanded PTFE cord. Stocked 4 cord sizes instead.
Result: Inventory cost reduced by 80%. Downtime reduced from days to hours. One cord covered multiple flange sizes.
Challenge: A pharmaceutical plant was cracking glass-lined reactor covers due to high torque required to seal rigid PTFE gaskets.
Solution: Switched to Expanded PTFE Sealing Cordwith self-adhesive backing. Low bolt pressure required.
Result: Zero glass lining damage. Perfect seal with lower torque. 18 months and counting — no replacements.
Note: Actual case results vary by application conditions. Contact us for application-specific recommendations.
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Parameter |
Value |
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Temperature Range |
-196°C to +200°C |
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Pressure — Liquid |
Up to 100 bar |
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Pressure — Gas |
Up to 16 bar |
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pH Range |
0-14 — universal chemical resistance |
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Density |
0.7 - 1.0 g/cm³ |
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Tensile Strength |
≥7 MPa |
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Elongation at Break |
≥120% |
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Material |
100% Virgin PTFE (expanded) |
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Self-Adhesive Backing |
Available (standard on many grades) |
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FDA Grade Available |
Yes — for food and pharmaceutical applications |
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Cross-Section Shape |
Size Range |
Common Applications |
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Round Cord |
Ø 2.4mm to Ø 25mm |
Standard flange sealing, valve packing |
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Square/Rectangular |
3mm×1.5mm to 50mm×50mm |
Wide flange applications |
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Tape/Strip |
1.5mm to 7mm thick × 2mm to 1500mm wide |
Large area sealing, manways |
100% Virgin PTFE Resin — no regrind, no recycled material. Consistent quality.
Full Traceability — Every batch traceable. Material certificates on request.
FDA-Compliant Grades Available — Meets FDA 21 CFR 177.1550 and BfR requirements.
Precision Manufacturing — Continuous process ensures consistent density and compressibility.
Long Shelf Life — Unlimited shelf life — no degradation over time.
Quality Tested — Tensile strength, density, and compressibility tested per batch.
A: When to use it: Irregular surfaces, damaged flanges, nonstandard sizes, large-diameter flanges, glass-lined/plastic flanges requiring low torque.
When NOT to use it: High-pressure dynamic sealing (moving parts), static seal only.
A: Cost depends on diameter/cross-section, length per roll, and quantity. A single roll typically costs less than stocking 10 different gasket sizes.
Total cost view: The cord costs more per meter than standard gasket sheet. But you cut exactly what you need, zero waste, zero waiting, zero custom tooling. Over a year, inventory, downtime, and waste savings exceed the material cost.
Lead time:
In stock: ships within 24-48 hours.
Shipping: air 5-10 days, sea 15-30 days.
A: Temperature: -196°C to +200°C (short-term +315°C).
Pressure: up to 100 bar (liquid), 16 bar (gas).
Chemical: pH 0-14, universal resistance, except molten alkali metals and fluorine.
Three common mistakes:
(1) Wrong size: cord should be 1/3 to 1/2 of gasket contact area.
(2) Over-tightening: ePTFE seals with low torque; over-tightening damages the cord.
(3) Improper end joining: ends should cross at a bolt hole location. For damaged surfaces, overlap at the scored area or double-up.
Address
No.1028, Qiersan Street, Andong Town, Cixi City, Zhejiang Province, China
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