A spiral-wound gasket includes a plurality of tightly wound metal windings to form a core. The windings each have a Chervon cross-section, wherein V-notched undulations of each winding registers with an adjacent winding at said notches. The edges of the windings are welded to form a pre-assembled integral composite that is installed into a J-shaped outer wrap or cover. Finally, the cover is closed about the core so as to entirely cover and encapsulate the core. In a preferred form, both the core and outer cover are formed of stainless steel materials.