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.