PTFE Gland Packing for Pumps and Valves: How to Choose and Install

30 October, 2026 | Admin

Short answer: Gland packing is a compressible rope
or braid pressed into the stuffing box around a pump shaft or valve stem
to stop leakage. PTFE packing resists chemicals and runs with low
friction. Choose the packing material by the fluid, temperature,
pressure and shaft speed, then fit it carefully so the shaft is not
scored.

Pumps and valves have a rotating or moving shaft that must pass
through the casing. Gland packing fills the gap, and the gland follower
compresses it so it seals against the shaft. A small controlled leak is
normal on a pump, since it lubricates and cools the packing.

Free engineering tools

Gasket size chart — Find the ASME B16.21 gasket ID and OD for your flange size and class
Plastic weight calculator — Work out the weight of PTFE Gland Packing for Pumps and Valves sheets, rods and tubes in kg
Engineering plastics comparison — Compare UHMWPE, HDPE, nylon, POM, PTFE and more side by side

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Table of Contents

Types of gland packing

PTFE braided packing: chemically inert and low in
friction, suited to many chemicals, solvents and food or pharmaceutical
use. Often impregnated with lubricant.
Graphite-filled PTFE: better heat transfer and wear
resistance, commonly used on pumps.
Other packing types: synthetic fibre, graphite and
mixed materials suit different fluids, temperatures and pressures. The
right type depends on your service conditions.
PTFE tapes and seals: tapes and profiles used where
a sealing strip or wrap is needed.

What decides the choice

Fluid: chemical, concentration and
cleanliness.
Temperature and pressure: each packing has
limits.
Shaft speed and type: high speed generates heat;
rotary and reciprocating shafts differ.
Shaft condition: a rough or worn shaft cuts packing
and leaks.
Contamination: in food or pharmaceutical lines,
choose clean, approved packing.

Installation steps

Remove all the old packing and clean the stuffing box.
Check the shaft or stem for scoring and wear.
Cut rings to the correct length with a clean, square or angled
cut.
Install one ring at a time, staggering the joints around the
box.
Seat each ring firmly before adding the next.
Fit the gland follower and tighten lightly, then adjust after
start-up while watching for leakage.

Do not over-tighten: too much pressure heats the packing, scores the
shaft and shortens life.

Common mistakes to avoid

adding rings on top of old, hard packing
over-tightening the gland so the shaft overheats
choosing the packing by price instead of by service
placing joints in line with each other
using a packing with a worn or scored shaft

Questions to ask your
supplier

Which packing suits my fluid and temperature? What cross-section is
needed for my stuffing box? Is the packing lubricated? Is it suitable
for food or potable water if that applies? Can packing be supplied in
rolls or pre-cut rings?

Diode Trading EST supplies sealing materials across Saudi Arabia, and
every order ships with a Material Test Certificate. request a quote

Signs that packing needs
replacing

Look for increasing leakage that cannot be stopped by adjusting the
gland, hard or glazed packing rings, scoring on the shaft, or a gland
follower that has run out of adjustment. Replace packing during planned
shutdowns rather than waiting for failure, and keep records of how long
each set lasted. If life is short, check the shaft surface, alignment
and whether the fluid has changed.

Storage

Keep packing in its box or coil, away from sunlight and dust. Do not
store heavy items on top, since this can deform the cross-section. Use
clean tools to cut and fit.

FAQ

What is gland packing? Compressible packing placed
around a shaft to prevent leakage.

Is some leakage normal? On many pumps a small drip
lubricates the packing. Valves should leak very little.

How often should packing be replaced? When leakage
cannot be controlled by adjusting the gland, or at planned
maintenance.

PTFE packing or graphite packing? PTFE for chemicals
and purity; graphite for heat and wear. Choose by service.

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Diode Trading EST supplies these PTFE (Teflon) Products from stock in Dammam, with delivery across Saudi Arabia and the GCC.

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