The present invention relates to a braiding yarn made of expanded graphite for a gland packing which is to be used in a shaft seal part of a fluid apparatus or the like. In the braiding yarn made of expanded graphite of the invention, a braiding yarn base material of the inner-reinforce type is used in which a plurality of reinforcing fibers are embedded in the longitudinal direction in an expanded graphite tape of a predetermined width, with forming gaps in the width direction. A twisting process is performed in a state where both the end portions in the width direction of the expanded graphite tape are bent so that both the end portions in the width direction of the expanded graphite tape are directed toward the inner side in the width direction of the base material. Alternatively, while twisting the base material both the end portions in the width direction of the expanded graphite tape are bent so that both end portions in the width direction are directed toward the inner side in the width direction. According to the invention, flaking of expanded graphite particles during a process of twisting the braiding yarn made of expanded graphite is reduced or prevented from occurring.
A gland packing including strip-like expanded graphite is disposed on one face of a sheet-like reinforcing member configured by a fibrous material to form a strip-like base member. The base member is stranded to be formed as a cord-like member. The outside of the cord-like member is covered by a portion of the strip-like expanded graphite, and the whole reinforcing member and the remaining portion of the strip-like expanded graphite are involved in the cord-like member. A large number of openings are formed in the reinforcing member. The strip-like expanded graphite faces the openings. The strip-like expanded graphite is engaged with the openings.
A material for gland packing including a sheet-like reinforcing member configured by a fibrous material disposed at least on one face of a strip-like expanded graphite to form a strip-like base member. The base member is stranded to be formed as a cord-like member. Then, the outer side of the cord-like member is covered by a portion of the reinforcing member, and the remaining portion of the reinforcing member is involved in the cord-like member. A large number of openings are formed in the reinforcing member, and a strip-like expanded graphite faces the openings engages with the openings.
