Graphite tape, also known as carbon fiber tape, flexible graphite tape or China graphite tape, is made from carbon graphite fibers woven into a flexible fabric and slit to standard or custom tape widths. Use graphite tape, adhesive backed or plain, in a multitude of sealing, packing, heat transfer and reinforcement situations in applications ranging from pump sealing and valve packing to automotive, aerospace and marine manufacturing.

You can't buy graphite tape from just any distributor of adhesive tape. This industrial product, manufactured chiefly in China, is available online from specialty producers, distributors and exporters of graphite tape products. Find graphite tape online from distributors that offer:

1. A choice of plain or adhesive backed graphite tapes; some companies will apply adhesive to plain tapes or allow you to do it yourself.

2. Graphite tape products designed to meet your specific standards and applications, or custom services if you need them.

3. Competitive graphite tape price and delivery terms.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose graphite tapes for a variety of industrial uses

Graphite tapes provide excellent sealing, packing and tensile reinforcement in a multitude of industrial applications. Contact online graphite tape manufacturers and distributors to find what you need.

I recommend: M. Brashen is a Seattle-based importer of graphite tapes from their own Chinese graphite tape manufacturer, MBI Graflex. They carry a full line of graphite tape, adhesive backed or plain, with or without zinc dusting. Mutual Industries' bidirectional carbon graphite tapes provide structural reinforcement that's stronger than steel in a flexible, thin-profile form. Minseal manufactures crinkled graphite tapes, with or without adhesive. Order a sample pack of carbon graphite products, including graphite tape, from Fibre Glast that includes a discount coupon toward a future order.

Choose thermally conductive graphite tapes

For high temperature sealing, packing and reinforcement, contact a graphite tape manufacturer that features thermally conductive products.

I recommend: Graphite tape from CS Hyde has a thermally conductive adhesive already applied to one side, and provides maximum heat sink properties. Hyde will custom-slit the graphite tape to widths up to 24 inches. Go to the Sealpro website and scroll down to find crinkled graphite tapes that can withstand temperatures of up to 5000 degrees F, depending on the environment and application.

Find specialty graphite tape products from online graphite tape distributors

In addition to everyday industrial uses for packing, sealing and reinforcement, look for graphite tape designed specifically for aeronautics and marine use.

I recommend: Aerospace Composite Products offers graphite tape without adhesive backing in 1-inch and 3-inch rolls, suitable for reinforcing fuselage, landing gear and other heat-sensitive airplane parts. Find West System unidirectional carbon fiber graphite tape, designed for marine use, at Jamestown Distributors.

Buy graphite tape directly from Chinese manufacturers

Most of the world's graphite tape is produced in China, which is why this product is sometimes referred to as China graphite tape. Though buying graphite tape online from a Chinese graphite tape manufacturer is a little riskier than buying from a US distributor, the price breaks can be significant.

I recommend: Yichang Xincheng Graphite is China's leading exporter of graphite tape, graphite sheets and other flexible graphite products, including nuclear grade. Contact the factory by phone, fax, email or online inquiry to get a graphite tape price. Dianjin Sealing offers standard and custom sizing on spiral or crinkle graphite tape, with or without adhesive. Fuzing.com, a Chinese industrial products directory, can put you in touch with a Chinese graphite tape manufacturer that sells graphite tape online.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Crinkled graphite tape, which has a roughened surface, provides better packing utility than plain spiral wound graphite tape. Use non-crinkled tape when you need a smooth seal in a tight space.