Abstract: A flat gasket for flange connections has a leakage rate below the limit value of 1*10?5 kPa*1/(s*m). The gasket assembly has a thick, areal, pressure-resistant core formed from at least one layer of graphite foil with a base weight of at most 1500 g/m2, or a multilayer sandwich of such graphite foils and metal interlayers. The core is embedded between two metal foils, and the surfaces that are remote from the core are covered by covering layers of graphite foil with a base weight of at most 350 g/m2. A ratio of the base weight of the graphite foil of the covering layers to the base weight of the graphite foil of the core lies between 1:3 and 1:7.

Abstract: A flat gasket for flange connections has a leakage rate below the limit value of 1*10−5 kPa*1/(s*m). The gasket assembly has a thick, areal, pressure-resistant core formed from at least one layer of graphite foil with a base weight of at most 1500 g/m2, or a multilayer sandwich of such graphite foils and metal interlayers. The core is embedded between two metal foils, and the surfaces that are remote from the core are covered by covering layers of graphite foil with a base weight of at most 350 g/m2. A ratio of the base weight of the graphite foil of the covering layers to the base weight of the graphite foil of the core lies between 1:3 and 1:7.

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 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 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.