Abstract: A flat semi-finished product includes a filled fluoroplastics substrate in the form of a sheet, which is coated at least partially on at least one surface with a soft, thin coating of fluoroplastics. The substrate material of the sheet has a Shore-D hardness of at least 65 and the average layer thickness of the thin sheet coating is at most 20 &mgr;m. A component, in particular a flat gasket, is made from the semi-finished product. A process for the production thereof is also provided.

Abstract: A metal-reinforced layered composite includes at least one intermediate metal layer. The intermediate metal layer includes at least two at least partially overlapping metal foils which are joined to one another in an overlap region by at least one weld seam. There are no leakage channels and/or no continuous leakage channels at the weld seam of the metal foils in the longitudinal extent of the overlap region. At least one of the weld seams may have a course which at least at one point has a direction component at right angles to the longitudinal extent of the overlap region of the metal foils. The intermediate metal layer may be provided with at least one passage in the overlap region of the metal foils. A gasket, a gasket sheet, a metal layer and a method of manufacturing a layered composite are also provided.

Abstract: A flat gasket includes a gasket body and at least one eyelet enclosing the gasket body. The gasket body is formed of a pressure-resistant core which is resistant to temperatures of at least 150° C. and a covering that completely covers flat outer sides of the core and is made of a gas-tight foil of an organic polymer having a long-term temperature resistance of at least 150° C. The eyelet or eyelets enclose the gasket body with a gas-tight joining. The core is formed of a plastic or elastomer reinforced with fibers and/or fillers, or it is formed of mica or graphite. If mica or graphite are used, the core is preferably formed of layers disposed alternately on top of one another and formed of graphite foils and metal foils or layers of mica and metal foils.

Abstract: A packing yarn and a method of manufacturing a packing yarn composed of at least two bands which are at most 5 mm wide and are joined together by a yarn manufacturing method, include forming the bands of a laminate having at least one layer of flexible graphite and at least one layer of a metal foil with a tensile strength of at least 250 MPa. The layers of graphite foil and metal foil are joined by adhesion or through the use of a non-adhesive-like coupling agent. The bands are produced from the laminates by cutting, which is preferably effected continuously. Advantages thereof are that strips or bands of flexible graphite, which have a tensile strength that is totally inadequate for the manufacture of packing yarns, are altered in terms of their mechanical properties.

Abstract: A packing yarn and a method of manufacturing a packing yarn utilize at least two bands that are at most 5 mm wide and are joined together by a yarn manufacturing method. The bands are formed of a laminate having at least one layer of flexible graphite foil and at least one layer of a plastic foil with a tensile strength of at least 25 MPa and an elastic modulus of at least 0.4 GPa. The layers of graphite foil and plastic foil are joined by adhesive bonding, by a non-adhesive-like coupling agent or by welding. The bands are produced from the laminates by cutting, which is preferably effected continuously.

Abstract: A multilayer sheet having high compressive strength, high heat resistance and low permeability relative to fluids, includes layers of graphite foils and metal foils disposed alternating one upon another and parallel, with the graphite foils joined to the metal foils. Each of two layers forming an upper and a lower boundary of the multilayer sheet is a metal foil having a flat outwardly-directed surface completely covered with and joined to a gas-tight foil made of an organic polymer having a long-term temperature stability of at least 150° C. Preferably, no adhesives are used for joining the foils. The multilayer sheet is preferably used for producing flat gaskets.