Abstract: A seal assembly is disclosed for a rotary kiln such as those used in cement manufacture. The seal assembly is interposed between a first part rotating with the rotating cylinder of the kiln and a second, stationary part having a cylindrical surface coaxial with the rotating cylinder. The seal assembly comprises an annular array of graphite elements in rubbing contact with the cylindrical surface and generally radial sides having overlapping rabbets restricting flow of gas between adjacent elements, and a flexible clamping cable or the like bearing against the outer surfaces of the graphite elements for clamping them against the cylindrical surface.