What Is Graphite Paper
Graphite paper is not ordinary paper. It is a flexible, layered carbon material made from high-purity natural flake graphite.
The process is simple but powerful:
(1)Purify-high-carbon flake graphite
(2)Intercalate-it with acid to open the crystal layers
(3)Expand-it at high temperature to create "worm-like" expanded graphite
(4)Calender-roll-it without binders or resins into thin, flexible sheets
That gives it a rare combination: soft like foil, stable like ceramic, conductive like carbon, and sealable like a gasket.
Typical forms:
(1)Ultra-thin graphite paper: 0.02–0.2 mm → electronics, heat spreading, thin gaskets.
(2)Flexible graphite foil: 0.1–0.5 mm → precision seals, valve/pump interfaces.
(3)Graphite sheet: 0.5–3 mm → flanges, reinforced gaskets, industrial sealing.
(4)Reinforced graphite board: graphite + 316L/304 mesh/foil → high-pressure gaskets.
Two main applications: sealing and thermal diffusion
Many buyers confuse these. They are different products with different priorities.
| Application | Thickness | Density | Key metric | Typical use |
| Sealing graphite paper | 0.1–3 mm | 1.0–1.4 g/cm³ | Compression, recovery, purity | Flange gaskets, valve packing, pump seals |
| Ultra-thin thermal graphite paper | 0.02–0.2 mm | 1.5–1.8 g/cm³ | In-plane thermal conductivity | Phone/LED/power module heat spreaders |
| Reinforced graphite sheet | 0.5–3 mm | 1.0–1.4 + metal core | Blowout resistance | Spiral-wound gaskets, high-pressure flanges |
| Graphite foil tape | 0.1–0.5 mm
|
1.0–1.3 g/cm³ | Conformability | Pipe threads, small joints, heater assemblies |
Rule of thumb:
Thicker + lower density = better sealing conformability.
Thinner + higher density = better in-plane heat spreading.
Where Graphite Paper Is Used
(1)Industrial sealing：Pipeline flanges,Heat exchangers,Pressure vessels,Valve bonnets,Pump housings,Boiler manholes,RTO / incinerator / desulfurization equipment.
(2)Electronics & heat management：Smartphones, tablets, notebooks,LED modules,5G base stations,Server/AI chips,IGBT / power modules,Battery pack inter-layer heat spreading.
Here, ultra-thin graphite paper turns a hot point into a cool surface.
(3)Heated furniture / electric heating beds：This is a fast-growing niche-Electric bed,Electric kang,Tatami heating panel,Sauna / wellness furniture.
(4)New energy & hydrogen：Fuel cell bipolar plates,Battery thermal interface pads,Electrolyzer conductive seals,Solar inverter thermal pads.
(5)Specialty uses：EMI shielding,Conductive gaskets,Vacuum furnace liners,Nuclear/radiation environments,Aerospace thermal pads.
How to view the core parameters
(1)Thickness: thin=heat dissipation/irregular die-cutting; Thickness=joint filling/pressure bearing/sealing
(2)Density: Low density soft, good adhesion; High density, strong thermal conductivity, but poor rebound
(3)Fixed carbon/ash content: chemical/nuclear power/food/medicine → high-purity low ash; Ordinary pipeline → industrial grade is sufficient
(4)Sulfur/chlorine content: Stainless steel flanges, nuclear power plants, and steam turbines must be controlled to prevent bolt corrosion
