Document 10zVqMXJxMZNgbvORox4V3d2X

Products Friction materials produced by Abex - O.S. generally follow a molding process utilizing thermosetting resins and will be 100% asbestos-free starting in 1988. At this time we expect to be the only "full line" asbestos-free supplier. Abex FPD was first to introduce non-asbestos materials to the Original Equipment market and also first to introduce a quality rivetted drum lining to the Aftermarket. Market reaction to asbestos-free products is generally favorable, recognizing a great deal of time and effort by Abex and our customers has been required to adapt and qualify the new asbestos formulations replacing asbestos formulations that have been in use for many years. These activities of application and qualification will continue and expand in the future as asbestos-free products are demanded by other segments of the market. From a technological viewpoint, product change has been significant- and accelerating in the past few years with considerable change expected for the near future. Several factors have been combined to change product technology. They include the following: O Change to asbestos-free which was dictated by SPNY 002842