Document 6wZj06kgQaoG2z71wveOj8O26

Organic libers also have potential. Aramids such as Kevlar and polyamides such as Nomex are examples of current organic li bers. These libers have tremendous tensile strength and modulus, and yet some grades are relatively flexible. Allhough these mater ials begin degrading at 500 F, they do not dis integrate or gasify and at 2000 F have higher strength than asbestos and are being used in compounds in small quantities. High strength or engineering ceramics have possibilities, too, although there are technics) problems on how the ceramic libers are bond ed together. Ceramics are typically metat ox ides, nitrides, or carbides and have a temper ature range of up to 3000 F. and compressive strength which is mote than twice that of as bestos. At these temperatures the binder sys tems disintegrate and it is necessary to still keep the ceramic together, in addition, cera mic fibers ate 30 times the diameter of asbes tos, so homogeneity is a problem: but tor high temperature exhaust gas applications this Is an acceptable'altemative when blended with other libers. Coated metals will also find a niche. They have the physical strength of the substrate metals coated with a well bonded yet embossabte sealing coating ol nitrile or silicone. There Is no wicking because of the solid steel barrier as well as good relaxation properties and good extrusion properties. As a result of current programs, we can pre dict that In exhaust and turbocharger applica tions, graphite, ceramic libers and tillers, and mica, combined with stainless steel sub strates, will be popular materials. For cylinder head and intake manifold applications, we see the use of organic libers and binders and inorganic fillers formed by a paper making process and also combined to metal sub strates. Embossed steel or aluminum with high temperature coatings will continue to be used where engine structure permits. In high load and high extrusion gasket appli cations, the most prevalent materials will be rubber coaled steel, cellulose fibers with elas tomeric binders, glass fiber with Tillers and elastomeric binders, densified organic libers and tillers with elastomeric binders, and liquid systems such as RTVs and anaerobics. The tinal cost ol non-asbestos materials is still not resolved. Material suppliers have been given a large! of less than two times what we are paying for material today and most feel comfortable with this. Since the asbestos-free material makBs up only a portion of the gas ket's cost, the total selling price should be sig nificantly less than twice current pricing, in the long term, II is expected that asbestosfree products with improved properties will sell lor no more than current products -- cer tainly on a total engine package basis. The trick to replacing asbestos is to biend the libers and fillers and polymers to reduce the cost and optimize the physical and chemical properties using multivariable analysis. And the Initial results look excellent. Currently, as bestos tree versions ol Victor's popular Victocor, Sollcor, Victopac, Cortestos. and Cera mic materials are being sampled and tested by O.E. diesel and gasoline manufacturers in the U.S. and abroadand compare favorably in performance to existing materials. The cur rent price structure is considered attractive. j VPD-142-000263 5 ! J i i In U.S.A.