Last updated: April 2026
A kammprofile gasket is a semi-metallic sealing element built around a serrated (grooved) metal core faced on each side with a soft sealing layer — typically flexible graphite or expanded PTFE. The concentric grooves concentrate bolt load onto narrow bands, giving the gasket far better blow-out resistance and tightness than a spiral wound, with lower required seating stress.
GritGasket manufactures kammprofile gaskets to DIN 2697 and EN 12560-6 with 316SS, 321SS, Monel, or Inconel cores and graphite or PTFE facings. Standard ASME B16.5 Class 150–2500 sizes stocked; custom profiles cut to order in our Sydney workshop.
What Is a Kammprofile Gasket?
Kammprofile (from the German Kammprofil, "comb profile") is a grooved-metal gasket introduced in the 1970s to address two weaknesses of spiral wound gaskets: radial filler erosion on high-velocity service, and over-compression on uneven flanges. The construction is deceptively simple:
- A solid metal core — typically 316 stainless, 3 mm thick — with concentric grooves machined into both faces.
- A soft facing — 0.5 mm of flexible graphite or expanded PTFE — bonded to each side.
When bolted up, the serrations bite through the facing into opposing sealing bands. The metal core provides recovery and blow-out resistance; the soft facing conforms to flange micro-imperfections. The result is a gasket that tolerates under-torque, over-torque, flange rotation, and severe thermal cycling better than almost any other construction.
Kammprofile vs Spiral Wound — When Do I Upgrade?
| Requirement | Kammprofile | Spiral Wound |
|---|---|---|
| General Class 150/300 flange | Overspec | ✓ default |
| Heat exchangers (thermal cycling) | ✓ preferred | OK |
| High-velocity erosion service | ✓ filler is bonded | — filler can wash out |
| Uneven / damaged flange | ✓ conforms better | — needs inner ring |
| Low-torque assembly (Class 150) | ✓ lower seating stress | Needs full assembly stress |
| Reusable core (some duties) | ✓ re-face only | — single use |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
The short version: on standard Class 150/300 service, a spiral wound gasket is the cost-effective default. Step up to kammprofile for heat exchangers, thermal-cycling service, high-velocity media, or flanges with known surface defects.
Core and Facing Options
| Core material | Max temp | Typical service |
|---|---|---|
| 316 stainless steel | 550 °C | General refinery, chemical, steam |
| 321 stainless steel | 650 °C | HP steam, high temp |
| Monel 400 | 500 °C | Hydrofluoric acid, seawater |
| Inconel 625 | 800 °C | Sour gas, very high temp |
| Titanium | 350 °C | Chlorine service |
Facing options are either flexible graphite (general service up to 450 °C in air) or expanded PTFE (aggressive chemicals, up to 260 °C). Graphite is the default; PTFE is specified for acids, alkalis, and anywhere graphite contamination is unacceptable. For fire-safe service, use graphite — PTFE degrades above ~400 °C.
Where Are Kammprofile Gaskets Used?
- Heat exchangers — shell & tube channel covers and tube-sheet gaskets (the classic application).
- Thermal-cycling service — start/stop plants, process swings, turbine bypass.
- High-velocity duties — compressor discharge, throttling valve bodies.
- Severe-service chemical lines — PTFE-faced kammprofile on acid flanges.
- Damaged or re-faced flanges — the soft facing tolerates groove width variation better than a spiral wound gasket.
Installation Notes
Kammprofile gaskets require about 60 MPa seating stress — lower than a spiral wound's 175 MPa — so they are well-suited to lower bolt-load flange joints where full spiral-wound torque would overload the bolting. Follow ASME PCC-1 four-pass cross-pattern bolt-up; use our bolt torque calculator to size bolt torque. On some duties the metal core can be re-faced and reused — ask us before discarding.
Stocked Kammprofile Gaskets
KAMM-316-GR
KAMM-316-PTFE
Frequently Asked Questions
A kammprofile gasket is a semi-metallic gasket built around a serrated (grooved) metal core faced on each side with a soft sealing layer — typically flexible graphite or expanded PTFE. The serrations concentrate bolt load into narrow contact bands, giving excellent blow-out resistance, tolerance to thermal cycling, and low required seating stress compared with a spiral wound gasket.
Neither is universally better — they suit different duties. Spiral wound gaskets are cheaper and the default for standard Class 150–300 flange service. Kammprofile gaskets cost more but outperform spiral wound on heat exchangers, thermal-cycling plant, high-velocity media (where spiral wound filler can wash out), and damaged or uneven flange faces. If you are replacing a leaking spiral wound, kammprofile is often the upgrade.
The soft facings (graphite or PTFE) are single-use, but on some duties the metal core can be re-faced and reused — the supplier strips the spent facing, inspects the core serrations, and bonds a new facing layer. This works well on heat-exchanger gaskets where the expensive item is the large-diameter alloy core. Ask us before discarding used kammprofiles.
Typical assembly stress is around 60 MPa for a graphite-faced kammprofile — lower than the 175 MPa required by a spiral wound gasket. This makes kammprofile suitable for flange joints with limited bolting capacity, and for lower-class service where spiral-wound assembly torque would risk damaging the flange or bolts.
Both spellings are used — "kammprofile" is the original German (Kamm = comb, Profil = profile), and "camprofile" is a common English phonetic variant (often a trademarked brand name). They refer to the same product: a serrated-metal gasket with soft facings. Piping specs may use either term.
Related Products
- Spiral wound gaskets — cost-effective alternative for standard service
- Graphite gaskets — soft-faced alternative for low-pressure flanges
- PTFE gaskets — soft-faced alternative for chemical service
- RTJ gaskets — for ring-joint flanges above Class 900
Learn More
Sources
- DIN 2697 — Kammprofile gaskets for flange connections
- EN 12560-6 — Flanges and their joints — Gaskets for Class-designated flanges — Covered serrated metal gaskets
- ASME PCC-1 — Guidelines for Pressure Boundary Bolted Flange Joint Assembly