Document 85q5azmMvNmqoNyEGjv88NgjZ

f- r: , J L' |*&i>UmUNmTIf0c I WRG-857b I)" INTER-OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE )/7/- Mr. J.F. Murphy Jr. To: Lexington Polyfibron Division. Subject: Asbestos Replacements. 7 From: R.S. Potter Copies To: DLH, / i- Date: October 30, 1980 ':/ /1 (, ! Ur J;' ] L. Paul Stibbe has asked me to answer your October 17, 1980, note to 'him ' ' ' ' . 7 regarding our program for asbestos replacement. As Lead Project Engineer, Dave Klein had given me this project when I first started with the company eight months ago. Our progress to date has been to change material of seven different standard^ seals of the racetrack gasket, tadpole tape, rope, and gasket types, from ^ ' asbestos to kevlar. However, kevlar is not the complete answer to asbestos T substitution. It has limitations of a maximum temperature limit of 600 F, J ^ V low abrasion resistance and high price. We are using fiberglass for some ; special applications now, and we expect to standardize on fiberglass for J many of our 32 total standard seals. The lack of availability of asbestos r .7 replacement materials in the form and properties we need for our seals has \ forced us to continue use of asbestos seals in some areas. However, we are ; making progress, and even though we may not be free and clear of asbestos ~ usage in 1980, I feel that all 32 seals will be changed by mid 1981. I am attaching two interesting magazine articles on this subject - one on V 7: the general problems in industry with asbestos substitutes, and another on v. a promising new material, PBI, which may be the "asbestos" of the future. rv -) N* J n. ` \. i .A \ (Z l v. v .v vT7 U- L. -A / L-- -< y 10000095) j