Pump and Valve Packing
Send shaft size, stuffing box bore, fluid, and photos. We help quote compression packing for pump and valve applications.
About Packing
Packing is braided sealing material compressed around a shaft or stem to control leakage. It is widely used in pumps, valves, agitators, and other rotating or reciprocating equipment. Packing choice depends heavily on the fluid, pressure, temperature, shaft speed, and whether it is a pump or valve application.
Measurement Key
Choosing the Right Material
Different packing materials are suited to different service conditions. Choosing based on only one factor such as the fluid may not be enough.
- Graphite: Often chosen for higher temperature or tougher industrial pump and valve service.
- PTFE: Often chosen for chemical resistance, lower friction, and cleaner service environments.
- Aramid Fiber: Often chosen where abrasion resistance and tensile strength are important, such as with abrasive fluids.
- Carbon: Can be used in higher temperature or more demanding service conditions.
- Flax or Synthetic Fiber: May be used in some water or general service pump applications at lower pressures and temperatures.
- Leakage Note: Some leakage can be normal in certain packing applications, especially pumps. This is worth discussing before final selection.
What Changes the Selection
- •Fluid: water, chemical, oil, steam, abrasive slurry
- •Pressure in the stuffing box
- •Temperature
- •Shaft speed and surface condition
- •Abrasion from solids in the fluid
- •Whether some leakage is acceptable (common in pumps) or not (valves)
- •Pump versus valve application
What Helps Us Quote It
Shaft diameter, stuffing box bore, cross-section size, number of rings currently in the box, fluid, pressure, temperature, RPM, photos, and any information from the old packing or equipment nameplate all help.
Related Categories
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