Document 93JgdRO1rXkaD4M6mr33vLg83

THE UNION CARBIDE "CALIDRIA11 ASBESTOS BUSINESS (J. L. Myers 5/1/79, Rev. 7/11/79) In 1957 a Union Carbide exploration geologist was in central California looking for nickel or other metallic mineral deposits which could be of value to the Corporation. He took note of a peculiar white, leathery mineral which was eventually determined to be chrysotile asbestos in a unique physical form. Exploration activities were centered in the nearly town of Coalinga, and the deposits have become known as Coalinga Asbestos. Asbestos (from a Greek word meaning non-burning) is a commercial term applied to several fibrous metal silicate minerals which are fire-proof and capable of being processed into flexible fibers. There are six varieties of asbestos which are divided into two groups, serpentine and amphibole, based on their crystal structure (Att. 1). Chrysotile is the only member of the serpentine group while the amphiboles include crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite and actinolite. Chrysotile accounts for over 95% of world consumption; and, of the amphiboles, only crocidolite and amosite have any commercial significance. Sources and general uses of the three varieties are shown in Att. 2; and Att. 3 summarizes comparative data for them. Based on epidemiological and other data, many medical and scientific authorities agree that crocidolite and amosite are more harmful to human health than chryso tile. Although U.S. regulations do not reflect this, the UK and other countries have severely restricted the use of crocidolite and amosite. Chrysotile has several characteristics which are responsible for its widespread usage in over 3000 applications: worldwide availability, positive surface charge, flexibility, softness, high tensile strength (see Att. 4). Chrysotile occurs only in serpentine (California's official State Rock), which is a fine-grain rock composed almost entirely of hydrous magnesium silicate minerals similar to chrysotile in composition. Canada is the free world's largest producer of chrysotile asbestos, and supplies about 90% of the U.S. asbestos requirements. The Canadian and most other deposits of serpentine contain chrysotile in cross fiber veins that are rarely more than half an inch thick. A typical ore contains only 6-10% fiber, of random lengths and tightly bonded together in a parallel configuration (see Att. 5). The Coalinga Asbestos deposit bears little resem blance to other serpentine bodies found throughout the world since most of the mass has been highly sheared and pulverized by nature. It consists of soft, friable sheets and clumps of asbestos fibers, and the only other known ore body of this type is the Stragari deposit in Yugoslavia. In contrast to the cross fiber arrangement of conventional ores, the Coalinga deposit occurs as a swirling mesh of disoriented fibers (see Att. 6). Each fiber or fiber bundle is only in point contact with its neighbor, and the fiber content ranges from 50-60%. The Coalinga deposit is located in the southern part of the Diablo Mountain range, in Fresno and San Benito Counties (see Att. 7). It is in what is known UCC 008875 AO 3 55 4 i -2- as the New Idria mining district, which has long been famous as the oldest producing mercury mine (since 1853) in the United States, and is thought to Kucj-i uic ti'aninynchDrf1 i Tic 1ininciui rlftnnrfict Ainn urn. vl rt um; 'j /\l^innnivr/unn C AV'Ki rlo 1 c^ f>r-AHo- name "CALIDRIA" is a combination of ''CAL1' from California and "IDRIA" from New Idria.) Rich asbestos ore has been found over an area of 40-50 square miles, and to depths of over 500 feet. Conservative estimates indicate that over one hundred million tons of Chrysotile asbestos are available, while Canada's ore reserves have been estimated at less than 50 million tons. In addition to having a very low fiber content, Canadian ore deposits contain fibers of various lengths, from a few microns up to several inches. These are defined by Canadian screening tests and designated as Grades 3 through 7 (see Att. 8). Conventional Canadian processing techniques include blasting, crushing, grinding and air classifying. A typical Canadian Grade 7 product will contain about 30-40% serpentine rock dust and 60-70% asbestos fibers. Most of the fibers will still be in bundles as shown in Att. 9. Union Carbide mines the Coalinga ore by conventional open pit methods (see Att. 10). After removing 20 feet or less of overburden, ripper-equipped bull dozers and self-propelled scrapers are used to remove ore from the deposit. Before hauling the ore 55 miles to the plant near King City, it is screened to minus 3/4-inch. Mining operations are carried out every other year during the dry season (May to October), and ore is delivered to the plant every year during this same period. Mining and hauling are sub-contracted, but supervised by plant personnel. Union Carbide evaluated various dry processing methods but the best product looked little different than that depicted in Att. 9, and performed very similar to Canadian asbestos. An investment to produce such a product for conventional asbestos applications was not justified. In order to take full advantage of the unique features of the Coalinga ore deposit (summarized in Att. 11), a hydraulic beneficiation process was developed. Conventional mineral processing techniques were combined with the innovative use of special equipment and a plant was designed with three basic systems: rock fiber separation, refining, and special treatment (see Att. 12). This enables production of three basic product categories: fiber, colloidal, and modified, all with liberated fibers as shown in Att. 13. The semi-works plant (see Att. 14) was started in 1963 and was expanded to its present capacity, except for RG-244, in 1966. The asbestos business was in the Nuclear Division until 1965 when it was transferred to the Metals Division. In an attempt to achieve better market compatibility, and hopefully increased sales, the business was transferred to the Chemicals and Plastics Division (Group I) in 1967. RG-244 was introduced in 1968; and, because of lack of sales growth and no apparent upper management interest, the asbestos business was put up for sale in 1969. It should be noted that considerable losses had been experienced since startup and negative net income was shown through 1970. The asbestos business has never had a good "fit" in the Corporation and probably never will have unless other non-metallic minerals can be developed and marketed by the same group as a separate entity or department. The business was not sold but it was transferred back to the Metals Division in 1970; and, in 1971, the first positive net income was realized. During 1970 the marketing philosophy was changed from trying to develop new products and UCC 008876 -3- markets, to selling existing products to conventional asbestos markets and spending a minimum amount of resources on development. Personnel who had been with the business for several years in production and technical capacities were transformed into a sales group which also performed technical and marketing service functions. This group is essentially still intact and the financial performance of the business for the last seven years is shown in Att. 15. A historical summary of the asbestos business is shown in Att. 16. Although, on paper, the asbestos business conforms to the regular organization of the Metals Division, there are some aspects which, in reality, are consider ably different when compared to other Division product lines. There are basically two groups which operate the business: plant production and product marketing. In addition to production, plant personnel also handle order entry, invoicing, shipments (domestic and foreign), inventory control, warehousing and associated responsibilities. In addition to direct sales, marketing personnel handle technical service, orders, health and regulatory matters, product and market development, sales promotion and literature development, international sales and other associated responsibilities which are normally handled by special departments within the Division. There is very close cooperation between plant and marketing personnel with little involvement by New York management. There is obviously some concern over this type of operation but a small business, such as asbestos, can be operated successfully in this manner. (Plant and Marketing organization charts are shown on Att. 17 and 18.) Union Carbide's asbestos business involves the mining, milling and production of short fiber, high quality asbestos fiber products for world-wide marketing into relatively small segments of various industries. Major tonnage sales are to the vinyl-asbestos floor tile industry and similar applications for short fiber asbestos. "Calidria" asbestos does not compete with non-short fiber asbestos in other markets, which comprise the major share of the asbestos indus try. Major dollar sales of our asbestos business are from viscosity control markets where the competition is non-asbestos products. Again, "Calidria" asbestos does not compete with these non-asbestos products in the major share of their markets. As mentioned earlier, asbestos, especially chrysotile, is mined and produced throughout the world. Att. 19 summarizes the major sources of asbestos. Apparent consumption of chrysotile asbestos in the U.S. has dropped from a peak of 876,000 tons in 1973 to an estimated 641,000 tons in 1978. Union Carbide is responsible for about 25% of U.S. production and supplies about 3% of total U.S. consumption (see Att. 20). According to USBM estimates, UCC was responsible for 36% of U.S. production in 1978 and provided 4.1% of total U.S. consumption. Based on preliminary estimate for 1978, chrysotile was used in the U.S. as shown in Att. 21. This was a typical year and shows that the construction industry continues to use about 63% of the total consumption. The markets in which we are able to at least partially compete with Canadian asbestos are marked and total about 282,000 tons. Attachment 22 summarizes the domestic applications for various "Calidria" products. As shown in Att. 23, the asbestos industry consumes 95% of tons and UCC 008877 a 0 3 5 51; *i H -4- 65% of dollars, while the non-asbestos industry consumes only 5% of tons but provides 35% of sales dollars. Attachments 24-32 describe how "Calidria" asbestos fits into the potential domestic asbestos and non-asbestos markets as previously described. UCC 008878 A 0 3557 An. 1 ASBESTOS - HYDRATED METAL SILICATE SERPENTINE Chrysotile AMPHIBOLE Crocidolite Amosite Anthophyllite Tremolite Actinolite A 0 3 5 5 ij UCC 008879 fiFNFRAI- ASBESTOS INFORMATION - U.$, ATT. 2 Chrysotile Crocidolite Amosite Major Sources U.S., Canada So. Africa So. Africa flpplICATI0NS 1978 Estimated U.S, Consumption cement,, tile, FRICTION MATERIALS, TEXTILES, PLASTICS, INSULATION, ASPHALTICS 632,000 T REINFORCING, INSULATION INSULATION, PACKINGS 16,500 T 1,500 T TOTAL 641,000 T UCC 008880 Au 55. ATT. 3 COMPARATIVE DATA FOR ASBESTOS MINERALS FORMULA f: : COMPOSITION,% Si02 MgO FeO Fe203 AT 23 H20 CaO Na20 CaO+NagO CRYSTALS CHRYSOTILE 3Mg0*2Si02'2H20 CROCIDOLITE Na20'Fe203*3FeO* 8Si02* H20 AMOSITE 1, 5MgO> 5.5 8Si 02* H2 37-44 39-44 0-6 0-5 0-2 12-15 0-5 " FINE FIBERS 49-53 0-3 13-20 17-20 -- 2-5 4-8 BRITTLE FIBERS 49-53 1-7 34-44 - 2-9 2-5 0-3 PRISMATIC CRYSTALS COLOR TEXTURE FLEXIBILITY HARDNESS,Mohs FIBER DIA., A TENSILE, Mpsi SURFACE CHG. RES. TO ACID RES. TO ALK. GRAY/GREEN SOFT/SILKY VERY GOOD 2.5-4 180-300 800 POSITIVE POOR GOOD BLUE HARSH GOOD 4 i 600-900 600 NEGATIVE GOOD GOOD GRAY/BROWN HARSH GOOD 5.5-6 600-900 200 NEGATIVE GOOD FAIR SOURCE: MODERN PLASTICS ENCYCLOPEDIA (1972-3), AND ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY, VOLUME 2, P. 136 (1948). UCC 008881 ATT, A ADVANTAGES OF CHRYSOTILE FIBER Worldwide Availability Positive Surface Charge Flexibility High Tensile Strength Softness UCC 008882 UCC 008884 ATT. 7 ^3564 UCC 008885 Canadian Chrysotile Asbestos Classification Standard Designation Of Grade W Mesh Guaranteed Minimum Shipping Test* 4 Mesh 10 Mesh Pan Group Number 3F 10.5 3.9 13 03 3K 77 1.5 0.5 Group 3 3R 3T 47 2a 41 42 (Spinning Fibre) 3Z 19 42 4A 0a 62 40 07 63 4K 04 93 Group 4 4M 04 84 (Shingle Fibre) 4T 02 10 4 4Z 0 1.5 9-5 5 5D 0 0.5 10.5 5 5K 00 12 4 Group 5 5M 00 11 5 (Paper Fibre) 5R 00 10 S 60 00 79 Group 6 (Waste) 7D 7F 7H 7K 7M 7R 7T 7RF (Floats) 7TF (Floats) es 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 No Test No Test No Test 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 22 4 12 3 13 2 14 1 15 0 16 0 18 Group 7 (Shorts) Guaranteed minimum shipping test is that test below which the actuai shipping test shall not fall. The shipping test is the average tor each carload or smaller shipment of tests of representative samples taken at time of shipment. Uses of Asbestos with Corresponding Recommended Carey Grades Canadian Chrysotile Asbestos is an essentia] raw material for a wide variety of products. To meet the requirements of specific industries, sub-grades, or grades within grades, have been developed by research. Grades are divided into sub-grades according to fibre length, degree of "crudiness" and amount or size of fines. Variations of this combination can change such characteristics as density, absorption, wet volume and setting rate- Carey Canadian produces a wide range of sub-grades as shown in the table below. Important Products Containing Asbestos Recommended Carey-Canadian Grades* Important Products Containting Asbestos Recommended Carey-Canadian Grades* Acoustical Plaster Adhesives Asbestos Cement Products Asbestos Millboard Asbestos Paper and Felt Asphalt Compounds Caulking and Sealers Cements Dry Wall Joint Fireproofing Insulation Finishing Refractory Fibrated Greases 6D-1, 7 D-3, 7MS4, 7M-S 7R-3, 7T-5, 7RF-9, 7TF-8 4K-1, 4T-1, 5D-1, SKA, 5R-1, 5R-5, 6D-1, 6D-5 4T-1, 5D-I, 5K-I, 5R-1, 6DA, 7D-3, 7M-5 5D-1, 5K-1, 5R-1, 6D-1, 6D-01, 7D-3, 7M-5 7D-1, 7F, 7K3, 7KS-1, 7MS-1, 7M-5, 7RS-1, 7R-3, 7TS-1, 7T-5, 7RF-9, 7TF-8 7D-3, 7F, 7K-3, 7MS-1, 7M-5, 7RS-1, 7R-3, 7TS4, 7T-5, 7RF-9, 7RF-10, 7TF-B 7RF-9, 7RF-I0, 7TF-8, 7TF-12 5D-1, 5R-1, 6D-1, 7D-3, 7MS-1 CD-I, 7D-3, 7M-5, 7M-90, 7T5, 5R-1, 6D-1, 7M-5, 7M-90, 7MS-1 7F, 7RF-9, 7RF-10 Floor Tiles Asphalt Vinyl Asbestos Rubber Friction Material Magnesite Flooring Oil Well Muds Pipe-fibre Plastics Cold Molded Molding Compounds Pre-mbs Molding Radiator Sealing Compounds Sheet Packing Yextiles Welding Rods 7R-3, 7RS-3 7R-3 7R-3, 7T5 5K-1, 5R-1, 5R-5, 6D-1, 6D-5, 7D-3, 7D-5; 7F,-7K-3, 7MS-1, 7M-5 7T-5, 7RF-9 7R-3, 7RF-9 7M-5, 7R-3 5R-1, 6D-1, 7D-3, 7M-5, 7T-5, 7RF-9 7RF-9, 7TF-8, 7TF-12 7T5, 7TF-8 7M-5, 7T-5, 7RF-9 4K-1, 4T-1, 5D-1, 5K-1, 5R-1, 5R-01, 6D-1 3T-1, 4K-1 7M-5, 7R-3, 7T-5, 7RF-9 Sub-grade designations for all grades except Shorts indicate: (-1) well-opened. (-5)semi-crudy. Sub-grade designations for Short gradesindicate: t-l> high bulk, and oil absorption. (-3) (-5) (-9)(-10{medium bulk and oil absorption.(-8)(-90) low bulk and oil absorption UCC 008886 A358h -:f l ! 4' \ . U;; .* f; ff-. 1 t-f ffi :? H K l ;; .r- U f?j ir K nil, j v : ,v- ; v -. j - *-.*' r ^ T -w. ' ' ................ *- * ?.", v"j ,'-'7v7/:V7:l' '- - v * .. . - ' .. i-;-- - V .. .*. ;' ^ ' " i .V t '' . -: * -1 ~- UCC 008887 - . f- *- r UCC 008888 ATT. 11 UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COALINGA ORE DEPOSIT All Chrysotile All Short Fiber Random-Oriented Fibers Over 50% Fiber 15-20% Moisture Easy to Mine A03563 UCC 008889 ATT. 12 CALIDRIA ASBESTOS PRODUCTION UCC 008890 A03563 UCC 008891 UCC 008892 n I--1 cn Cn 4-> r-- U CO CO t-- ^r CO CO OJ OJ CO o e' o CO CO 00 OJ OJ ^1" O CO CM ,_ r-- O CM fx O r-- CrxO r-- 00 LO cn i-- CM * CO r-- o o CM i-- to CO Li_ *3" LO OJ CO OJ -- CALIDRIA" ASBESTOS SALES & FINANCIAL SUMMARY (JLM 5/1/79) 00 -M Cn OJ r- cn Ch "d r- 3 o o OJ *d- o o ^d~ CM er' o CO CO o 1-- OJ o o o oCCMM rCxO CD o o o 1--` o o Ol o CoD cn o 1C--M o o U3 CO CO CO r'- cn p-- tO VD IT) o cn LO OJ CO LO i-- CO cn i-- LO OJ 1--1 OJ CcMn rL--O O' e^- cn cn rx Tc--n o tcr----n ic--n LODJ* CLOO ro-- CO T'-. e*- cn ID cn OJ CO LO o o OJ o o co LO cn CO ^r OJ LO OJ CO CCMOMO- CrOoO' CCoOO CccMon CCOO r-- CCMO 1oo-- OJ oCO- cn CLOO oCO rhxx cLOn CO LLLOOO OJ oOJ cOnJ CcOn cn cn Tx co ^r e- o LO CcOo cLOo oCO o LO o CCMM r~*" LeO' en COC=OOdJ" ro-- cn OJ CO r-- CO o CoO rCxx cOnJ LO CO CO o CO o CO cn LO o co CM CO* O cn CM CO ji--x* ,^-v. r-x cn CCOO OJ CrrO--xOJ ,-- CCrxOO rx rcxo LOOJ OCOOJ L,--O i-- e^ LO r>CO CO CO CM co r-- > O CO CM CM r*^ 1rO----J r-- r-- CO oCM Oo--J C1C--MO iC--O 1 00 cn Cn -- =d" cn r*--Nj" cn CO r-- o r-- r-- CrxO Egc--n COcOnJ Orii-------J~ OCoCOOJ OOoCO'J- i-- O*=Jr cn CO co cn co LO LO CM *=dCO LO o ^-- ^d- fOxJ. cn rOi--xJ. OJ CO LoO CO oCO rrCCO--xOOJ CCro--OJ CO CM CO cn CM LO LO LO CO C' CM cn eh O o I*--- 1o f CO cn CM r" o co <3- CO sbO: * -2t1o #v i--tanj oroo *-Q4oLorC---OD> bO *' ws: --CCOD rO to U+OSXoJJ-- r<rO"oSJl to 1-- h4or---O> on hoc-: --crConD* to r4--r-O> 1--O o-StrM--ooQ O4cO-n> f---<CMo Cl. # cr *r-- cn LrO 21 LO LO o So -faO +L-O5 to o o cn cr i-- r--* r-- CD C/) s: -09- TO C3 CD m -- o r-- ro O H- s: bO a> o CD c * SCD o. o * CD o CD cr --i 4-> CD z: CD 3^. ro -C to -CD LO cm t= *-- cr s- rO UJ . s: )-- '--^ -to f-bO "O CD CD m. 4-> rs +-> lO -- to u CO o CD > o c CD 4D 4-3 o CD -T CXL to ro a CD ZJ =J -o -o oo S-- s- AA f0\ 3O SP" -7!' UCC 008893 1957 8/63 1965 1/66 1966 1/67 2/68 1969 1/70 1970 1971 1972 1973 5/74 1975 1976 1977 1978 "CALIDRIA" CHRONOLOGY ATT. 16 MINE DISCOVERED (NUCLEAR DIV.) SEMI-WORKS PLANT STARTED TO METALS DIVISION PLANT EXPANDED SALES OVER ONE MILLION DOLLARS BUSINESS TRANSFERRED TO GROUP 1 INTRODUCED RG-244 BUSINESS FOR SALE BUSINESS TRANSFERRED TO METALS SALES ALMOST TWO MILLION DOLLARS FIRST POSITIVE NET INCOME SALES NEAR PLANT CAPACITY, OVER 3 MILLION DOLLARS SALES ALMOST 4 MILLION DOLLARS INTRODUCED RG-600 PLANT ON 21 SH1FTS/WK., SALES OVER 4 MILLION DOLLARS FIRST POSITIVE CASH FLOW SALES ALMOST 5 MILLION DOLLARS SALES OVER 5 MILLION DOLLARS, CASH FLOW OVER 1 MILLION DOLLARS SALES OVER 7 MILLION DOLLARS, RECORD PRODUCTION AND EARNINGS UCC 008894 A 03573 CAUDRIA" ASBESTOS MARKETING ORGANIZATION ~~ 4/1/79 ATT. 17 UCC 008895 4 0 574 Union Carbide C orporation M etals D iv is io n " C a lid r ia 11 Asbestos O perations (5/1 5/7 8). CT--O1 Cd UJ c0 CD __1 UJ 2; co ^--, CO UJ 5: UJ CD > Cd UJ CD 0 UJ 1-- _j CD U, Ll_ CD CD i-- 2T UJ CD 1-- <c to ---- uj cz CD 3: UJ 21 O1--1 z to d LU =c d x. CD 2: d 23 Cu UJ CD --< 2T c Cd CD ^ UJ CD <C co d 0 C3 z d 1---1 UJ - __l 2: 2> "-- 0 1-- to ZD CD 1-- co **--s. 1--1 to UJ 2T --J l-- 0 UJ h1--H --1 --1 1-- 2: cd n_ <3: -- UJ O Cd CD cn UJ * *.--* Cd CO cd UJ =t Cl t-- UJ CD UJ UJ cd cd tiZ <C cd tz e> -=c 0O 0 CO Q __1 0 d H 2 2: 0 <c CD CD > --* 1-- z >--< zc --J CD UJ X 1-- cr or 1-- 0 2:--' LU 2: --J ' f-- >-3 1--UJ to * 23 CO <c 1--1 CD zz CD UJ I-- CO =c __1 *3* Cd ZZ UJ <C LU :e: 2 lum Cd CD oz Ll_ U! 1-- >- 'C uj __1 Ll_ cu <C to UJ t-- >nr ---y CQ zO O CQ or --d * 'D d ,--^ _J 0-- LO ---------- -d _] cd a >- cd -j 0 z: cc C *-i to cC or CD CQ >--1 *--- ----- --- > cd 2: UJ O Q_ CO 2 Z ZD d *C <c >to UJ CD CD UJ Q00d f-- ^ cd cd co Ll. <003 --4 z * 10 2-HLUJ it* >3) d _> 03 2: < 0 UJ CD 2 CU Q- m to f-- ZZ UJ or 0 UZ UJ UJ 2Z 1-- >--* 2: cd 1--1 zd UJ UJ D_ J-- ZD Z LO =c _J UJ Q_ z >--1 2* 2: UJ 1--' co --dd <c 0 2: -- CD '*--" 0 d z C 2 UJ d 0 U_._ LU 27 --* 2: d ui Q_ Cu --- 0d zu CD O 0d **--' d UCC 008896 CD t--4 2: C2 in 0 CD tO O uj 3= uj c d --J U, <rT--> d-- UJ J-- d to <c 2: A 03 J5? ' X3 ATT, 19 MAJOR-WORLD-SOURCES OF ASBESTOS (Based on 1977 USBM Estimates) COUNTRY USSR Canada So. Africa So. Rhodesia P.R. of China Italy Brazil U.S.A, Australia TOTAL SHORT TONS 2,710,000 1,700,000 419,000 220,000 220,000 170,000 105,000 102,000 61,000 5,879,000 UCC 008897 ATT. 20 ASBESTOS STATISTICS, M Short Tons (JLM, 3/27/79) 1978 Estimates 1973-1978 Average U.S. Consumption U.S, Imports U.S. Exports U.S. Production 640* 588* 35* 100* 728 658 47 113 UCC Production UCC Dom. Shmpts. UCC Export 36 26 9 29 22 7 *From USBM reports and private communication with R. A. Clifton of USBM UCC 008898 ATT. 21 U.S. Chrysotile Consumption - 1978 Asbestos-cement pipe Flooring Products* Friction Products Roofing Products* Asbestos-cement sheet Coatings & compounds* Packings & gaskets Paper Insulation (Thermal & Electric) Textiles Plastics* Other* Tons 153,000 147,000 86,400 61,000 41,400 35,200 25,600 22,400 19,200 9,600 6,400 32,000 % of Total** 24.0 23.0 13.5 9.5 6.5 5.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 1.5 1.0 5.0 TOTAL 640,000 100 ** - "Asbestos", December 1978, pp. 16-18 * - Markets in which UCC partcipates REB 4/30/79 UCC 008899 ATT. 22 "CALIDRIA" ASBESTOS PRODUCT APPLICATIONS PRODUCT SG-lOO SG-130 SG-200 Super Visbestos SG-210 HPP HPO RG-110 RG-1AA RG-2AA &03 57 ) APPLICATIONS VlNYL~ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE Masonry coatings Rubber floor tile Drilling muds Mastics Asphaltic coatings Phenolic molding compounds Rubber sheet goods Mineral board (Japan) Paper (Japan) Asphaltic coatings. Adhesives Asphaltic spray coatings Aluminized coatings Mastics, caulks & sealants Adhesives (Epoxy, casim, phenolics) Coatings Vinyl plastisols (High build, dip coatings) Mastics, caulks & sealants (Vinyl, butyl, polysulfide, bituminous) Polyester resins (Laminating, gel coats, putties) Caulks & sealants (Vinyl, butyl, ACRYLIC, POLYURETHANE) Coatings (Epoxy, urethane, asphaltic) UCC 008900 V , *. % i -t ATT. 23 1978 CALIDRIA ASBESTOS DOMESTIC APPLICATIONS AREAS 0) Floor Tile 0) Phenolic Compounds 0) Roofing Compounds (1) Asphaltic Coatings (1) Rubber-Sheet Goods (2) Adhesives (2) Sealants (2) Polyester Laminates (2) Coatings (1) Drilling Muds 0) Miscellaneous SG-100 SG-200 SG-210 HPO SG-210 HPO SG-130 SG-144 RG-110 HPP RG-100 RG-144 RG-244 RG-144 RG-244 RG-244 CG-135 RG-144 RG-244 Visb. CSV SHUR T 17,500 350 510 940 370 280 430 100 550 3,000 1,920 25,950 $M 1800 80 100 180 130 230 540 200 630 400 280 4570 % of Total T$ 67 39 12 22 44 13 15 2 12 0.5 4 2 14 11 9 76 (1) Asbestos Industry Summary: Asbestos Industry Non-Asbestos Industry (2) Non-Asbestos; Industry 24,590 1,360 2970 1600 95 65 5 35 UCC 008901 Ao35so ATT. 24 "Calidria" Participation in Typical Domestic Asbestos Markets in 1978 Flooring Products Domestic Market, Tons 147,000 Roofi ng 61,000 Coatings & compounds (Asphaltic Coatings) 35,200 Plastics (Phenolic & Rubber) 6,400 Drilling Muds 8,000 Other 24,000 Potential Seqments, Tons 75,000 "Calidria" Share of Seqment Tons % 17,500 23.3 6,000 500 8.3 12,000 1,000 8.3 6,000 8,000 24,000 (?) 700 3,000 2,300 11.7 37.5 9.6 TOTAL 281,600 131,000 .25,000 19.1 REB 4/30/79 UCC 008902 ^035 3 '/ DOMESTIC MARKET DETAIL , Typical Asbestos Markets for "Calidria11 ATT. 25 I. Flooring Products Total market 147,200 tons "Calidria'1 share 17,500 tons (11.9% of total) Total market includes both tile & sheet goods. "Calidria" participation only in tile market which is about 1/2 of total. "Calidria" share of this reduced market is, therefore, about 24%. Major competitors - Carey Canadian - Canada Atlas Mineral - California Floor tile market is split as follows: Carey 50% Atlas 20% "Calidria" 24% Others 6% II. Roofing Compounds Total market 61 ,000 tons "Calidria" share 510 tons (0.8% of total) Market includes primarily asphalt compounds using asbestos as a flow control agent. Much of the market requires slightly longer fibers than "Calidria" has available. Realistically we can probably only compete for perhaps 10% of the total or 6100 tons. A a 3 5 (j 2 UCC 008903 ATT. 26 Major competitors - Johns-Manville - Most Canadian suppliers Carey - ti ir ii Bell -n ii ii Market is split as follows: J-M 60% Carey 20% Bell 19% "Calidria" 1% III. Coatings & Compounds Total market 35,200 tons "Calidria" share 940 tons {2.1% of total) "Calidria" particpates primarily in the asphaltic coatings portion of this market which excludes roof coatings. Products include automotive undercoats, coatings for waterproofing below grade concrete and for driveways and tennis courts. The portion of the market in which "Calidria" might compete is unknown, but is probably at least 1/3 of the total market. Major competitors - Canadian producers Market is split by all manufacturers (primarily Canadian) and represents an outlet for as much short fiber product as can be allocated to this high volume, low cost application.IV. IV. Plastics AU3 58-3 Total market 6,400 tons "Calidria" shares 720 tons (11.3% of total) Market includes primarily plastics used for structures, molded goods, etc. Larger segments include chemical resistant fibers, molded phenolic parts and some rubber goods. UCC 008904 k ATT. 27 "Calidria" participates primarily in the latter two areas. Major competitors - Johns-Manvilie Market is split as follows: J-M 89% "Calidria" 11% V. Other (Oil and gas well drilling) Total market for short fiber asbestos 20,000 tons "Calidria" share 4,000 tons (20% of total) Current market is about 6-8000 tons because of regulatory restraints. Total market could be realized in the absence of regs. Major competitors - Johns-Manvi1le (Flosal) Current market is shared by "Calidria" and Johns-Manvi1le about equally. Production capacity is adequate for full development of market. UCC 008905 DOMESTIC "Calidria" Markets - Not Typical Asbestos (Viscosity Control) ATT. 28 Adhesives Sealants Polyester Laminates Coatings Tons 280 430 100 550 Total Market* 2500 1500 3400 4600 UCC % 11.2 28.7 2.9 12.0 TOTAL 1360 12,000 11.3 *Total Market estimates - - Modern Plastics, January 1979 - C & P sources (Skeist Laboratory Market Analyses - 1978) - Assumed nominal loadings for "Calidria," i.e., 1% in polyesters, etc^ REB 4/30/79 UCC 008906 40358b ATT. 29 Markets for "Calidria" - Not Typical Asbestos I. Adhesives Total market 3MM tons - portion requiring viscosity additives 125,000 tons - assuming 2% addition level - market "available" 2500 tons "Calidria" share - 280 tons (11.2% of total) Major competitors - National Lead (Bentones) Cabot Corporation (Cab-0-Sil) Other (Thixcin, etc.) Market share: Cabot 45% National Lead 39% "Calidria" 11% Others 5% II. Seal ants Total market about 150,000 tons split as follows: Construction Automotive Glass (Insulating) Aircraft Highways & Airfields Appliances 90,000 tons 30,000 11 6,000 It 1,000 tl 15,000 II 7,000 II Assuming a 1% loading of viscosity additive, a market of 1500 tons is available. UCC 008907 A U 3 53 'i V . "Calidria" share 430 tons (28.7% of total) Major competitors - Cabot (Cab-O-Sil) National Lead (Bentones) Market share is split as follows: Cabot 45% NationalLead 26% "Calidria" 29% ATT. 30 III. Polyester Laminates - Total market for thixotropic laminates 340,000 TPY Assuming 1% average addition, 3,400 TPY available "Calidria" share 100 tons (2.9% of total) Major competitors - Cabot Corp. (Cab-O-Sil} DeGussa (Aerosil) Others (Thixcin, Ircogel, etc.) Market share is split as follows: Cabot Corp. 70% DeGussa 24% Others 3% "Calidria" 3% IV. Coatings Total market for thixotropic, viscosity modifying and pigment suspending agents is 4600 TPY (1% of 460,000 TPY) "Calidria" share is 550 TPY (12% of total) UCC 008908 AU3537 *t \* Major competitors - Cabot Corp. (Cab-O-Sil) DeGussa (Aerosil) National Lead (Bentones) Baker Castor Oil (Thixcin, Thixatrol) Others Market is split as follows: Cabot 30" DeGussa 20% National Lead 20% Baker Castor Oil 13% "Calidria" 12% Others 5% ATT. 31 REBrdal 4/30/79 UCC 008909 COWPFTTTORS AMD MARKET SHARE Short Fiber Asbestos. Market U.S.A. UCC 19% J-M 23 Carey 47 Atlas 11 Japan 16% 11 73 0 Total 18% 20 53 9 Viscosity Control I^arket U.S.A, UCC (RG-JM S -2W 11 DeEussa Cabot 25 t 49 National Lead 10 Baker 5 Japan 25 70 2 2 1 Europe 19 70 5 3 3 Total 15 40 40 3 2 AU35O UCC 008910 . UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION METALS DIVISION P.O.BOX 579 NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. 14302 TEL: 71 6-278-3376 August 1, 1980 Charles C. Ivie, Esq. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher 51 5 S . Fl ower Street Los Angeles, CA 90071 Dear Mr. Ivie: At Mr. Sibley's request enclosed is a reprint of the article about "Calidria" Asbestos Pellets which appeared in the 10/71 issue of "ASBESTOS1'. I have also enclosed other articles which we have published in various journals and which may be of value to you. I have also copied pages from a couple of books on asbestos to indicate that "outside" sources also confirm that longer fibers are used for heat insulation. I'm sure that any publication on asbestos applications would confirm this. Very truly yours, Marketing Manager JLM:dal Enelosures C: J. J. Sibley A 03 50C UCC 008911 UCC 008912 1 UNION < CARBIDE Asbestos By Robert E. Byrne, Jr.* "Reprinted by permission of Modern Plastics Encyclopedia, McGraw-Hill, Inc. Asbestos is a commercial term used for' six naturally occurring "asbestiform" minerals that are fibrous, hydrated metal silicates. They include the fi brous form of serpentine, known as chrysotile, and five minerals of the arnphibole group: anthophyllite, crocidoiite, actinolite, tremolite and amosite. Chrysolite is the most plentiful and useful form of asbestos. Of the more than 2 billion lb. of asbestos used each year by the plastics industry, about 93 % is chrysotile. Its positive surface charge, softness and flexibility, and its low re fractive index set it apart from other as bestos. Chrysotile's fiber diameters, less than 0.03 micron, are the smallest among commonly known fibers, and the material has exceptional mechani cal strength. Commercial products based on chrysotile have been introduced which, by chemical modifications of the nor- *Area Manager, "Calidria" Asbestos, Market ing and Technology, Mining and Metals Div., Union Carbide Corp., P.O. Box 579, Niagara Falls, N. Y. M302 mal chrysotile fiber, have novel surface properties. These materials are used mainly for viscosity control in antisag and thixotropic applications. Compared to chrysotile, amphibole fibers are larger in cross-section, harsh, and hard. The amphibole asbestos min erals are anionic in surface charge, and are more resistant to acids than is chrysotile. Anrhophyllile fibers usually occur as fibrous masses containing randomly oriented cubic blocks of fiber up to an inch in length. They are generally used in insulating materials, as filtering me dia, and as fillers in plastics, paints, and asbestos-cement products. Crocidolite, or blue asbestos, is found principally in South Africa. Needle-like in structure and possessed of exceptionally high mechanical strength, it is used in plastics, where its pronounced color is not detrimental. Tremolite and aciinolile are very similar, except for the higher iron con tent of the latter. Both are in relatively short supply, and are used mainly as filter media or fillers. Amosite is a long yellowish-brown fiber that is harsh and brittle, and is used mainiy in thermal insulation. Low cost, exceptional mechanical strength, and heat resistance account for much of the increasing usage of as bestos in plastic products. It has re cently been recognized that the unit chrysotile fibril is a naturally occurring reinforcing whisker. Because of its high strength, stiffness, and aspect ratio, it provides excellent whisker reinforce ment. Maximum utilization of these reinforcing potentials, however, re quires a high degree of fibril liberation and the absence of extraneous gangue material. Some caution is necessary in selecting a product providing the opti mum in these characteristics. Asbestos is usually graded on the basis of fiber lengths separated by dry screening. While the different grades cannot be precisely characterized by a specific length, grades 2 and 3 are the A03604 UCC 008913 _ K . `V * Table L Comparative properties of asbestos minerals Properties Chrysotile Anthophyilite Crocidolite Actinolite Composition MgsSi205(0H)< Mg7SiaC>22 (OH) 2 Crystal habit Color Fine, easily separable fibers White, gray, greenish Prismatic crystals and fibers Gray-white T exture Flexibility Hardness, Mohs Fiber dia., A Tensile strength, p.s.j, Modulus of elasticity, p.s.i. Fusion pt., F. Specific heat, Btu/lb,,' F. Surface area BET, mVg. Specific gravity Refractive index (mean) pH Electric charge in aqueous slurry Resistance to acids Resistance to alkalis Soft to harsh, also silky Very good 2.5-4 180-300 300,000800,000 23.2 x 10" 2770 0.266 10-60 2.4-2.6 1.51-1.55 9.5-10.3 Positive Poor Good Harsh Poor 5.5-6 600-900 <4,000 -- ' 2675 0,210 7 2.8-3.1 1.61 9.4 Negative Very good Good NaoFesFe^Sis 02I( OH ;< Long brittle fibers Blue Soft to harsh Good 4 600-900 400,000600,000 27.1 x 10" 2180 0.201 10 3.2--3.3 1.7 9.1 Negative Good Good CasFesSifi O22 (OH) z Prismatic Crystals and fibers Green Harsh Poor 6 600-900 <1,000 -- 2540 0.217 3.0-3.2 1.63 9,5 Negative Fair Good Tremolite Mg5Ca2Sis CM OH) 2 Prismatic crystals and fibers White, gray-white, greenish Harsh Poor 5.5 600-900 1,000-8,000 -- 2400 0.212 2.9-3.2 1.61 9.5 Negative Good Good Amosite (Fe,Mg) jSis CMOH)2 Prismatic crystals and fibers Ash gray or brown Harsh Good 5.5-6 600-900 100,000200,000 23.6 x 10" 2550 0.193 9 3.1-3.3 1.64 9.1 Negative Good Fair UCC 008914 AU360b k Table II. Typical changes in resin properties with asbestos reinforcement* % change Material Flexural modulus Flexural strength Tensile strength Impact notched Izod HDT, T. ABS Nylon 6 Phenolic Polyethylene Polyphenylene sulfide Polypropylene Polystyrene +130 + 170 + 120 c-320 + 60 + 360 + 110 -20 + 100 + 50 + 30 + 100 -- + 50 -5 + 85 -- 4-20 + 10 -4 +20 Optimum reinforcement usually requires 20-40% short fiber asbestos. -60 +20 +5 0 + 100 + 125 -40 + 16 + 200 ------- + 72 + 35 425 + 38 longest fibers and grade 7 is the short est. In genera), the longer fibers are more expensive. One of the few important nonmetallic minerals imported into the U.S. from foreign sources is asbestos. About 10% of our annual usage is pro duced from domestic sources with a value of over $10 million. The remain der comes mainly from Canada. . Asbestos selection Asbestos short fiber is normally used for reinforcement, heat resistance, and flow control of plastics, while the longer grades are used for reinforce"ment and heat resistance in the form of fibers, yarns, or textiles. Chrysotile, as noted previously, is normally chosen for most applications because of its plentiful supply and product uniformity unless the special advantages of an other mineral are required. For ex ample, anthophyllite has been em ployed for reinforcing polypropylene because it allows easier heat stabiliza tion. Recent reports, however, show that this disadvantage of chrysotile can be overcome. One of the amphiboles may be selected also where the poor re sistance of chrysotile to acids presents a problem. The use of short fiber asbestos in plastics products requires adequate dis persion to achieve optimum results. Melt processing is most satisfactorily accomplished in high-intensity mixers such as the Banbury. Dispersion in liq uid resin systems also requires high shear devices and maximum viscosity to allow the resin/asbestos mix to ab sorb maximum energy. The masterbatch technique should be employed wherever practical. Asbestos use The largest uses for asbestos in plas tics are vinyl/asbestos floor tile and in phenolic compounds. It is also used in myriad other areas including poly propylene, polyesters, nylons, mela mines, epoxies, silicones, and vinyls. It is used in product types, including fric tion materials, heat resistant and elec trical components, sealants, and mas tics. The applications for asbestos are a balance of some combination of these effects. For example, short fiber chryso tile is used in vinyl asbestos floor tile to improve heat strength and dimen sional stability, but requires that par ticular attention be given to heat stabi lization of the resultant product mix during processing. Since 1965, the consumption of as bestos-reinforced polypropylene by the automotive industry has increased rapidly. This trend toward the use of short fiber products for reinforcement is dependent on Ibe inherent strength and fibril geometry of asbestos. The volume of short fiber chrysotile used in mastics, sealants, and adhesives of various types is increasing. From 5 to 60 % asbeslos is used in adhesives to reduce crazing, shrinkage, and em- brilllement. Asbestos also reduces cost, increases hulk, and provides controlled penetration and resistance to heat in such adhesives as phenolios, urea, res orcinol. epoxy, nitrile and reclaimed rubber, and silicones. In mastics and sealants, asbestos provides toughness, flow, and penetration control, as well as reduced cost. The colloidal grades of chrysotile are reported to contribute additional performance and handling improvements. Polyester premixes used to fabricate automotive parts, tractor and marine engine housing, and materials-handling bins and containers often contain short fiber chrysotile to provide flow control, improve surface appearances, reduce shrinkage, and lower cost. The new low-profile systems utilize asbestos for controlled shrinkage, improved me chanical strength, and heat resistance. The amount of asbestos needed varies with the particular resin system and the fiber length, and degree of openness of the asbestos. Each system has an optimum level for maximum mechanical strength. For example, in phenolics about 25% is typical for as bestos floats, or as low as 5% colloidal chrysotile. Asbestos content may vary up to 60%, however, depending on the levels of chemical, thermal and impact resistance, and the electrical properties desired. Asbestos-filled phenolic and urea formaldehyde resins find use in many electrical applications where heat resistance is required. Asbestos-filled polyester and diallyl phthalate com pounds arc also used in electrical appli cations. The asbestos-containing com pounds enable molding with excep tional accuracy, molding-in metal in serts easily, and mass producing in tricate shapes difficult to fabricate from other dielectric materials. Phenolic/asbestos laminates used for rocket flame tubes' are one example of the increased demand for asbestos-rein forced systems brought about by space age requirements for heat, chemical, and shock resistance, - 3 6 06 UCC 008915 ASBESTOS products for % Economical ^ High Purity plastics % High Brightness ^ Low Moisture ^ Less Dust CALIDRIA Asbestos RG-244 a chemically modified, high-purity fiber with a mineral coating CALIDRIA Asbestos RG-144 a high-purity asbestos fiber without coaling for maxmum thickening efficiency and thixotropy in polyester spray-up and hand lay-up laminating resins and gel coats. effective thickener for plastisol and organosol adhe sives, coatings, mastics, and sealants as well as epoxy and phenolic adhesives. Advantages: Permits high viscosity at low loadings, reducing costs, Wets out quickly and disperses easily. Improves shelf life, reduces settling. Does not add color or opacity at normal loadings. Reduces dusting from material-handling operations. efficient, low-cost thickener and thixotrope for epoxy, vinyl, and phenolic resins; butyl, polysulfide, and other sealants; and casein adhesives. excellent reinforcer for rigid vinyl, nylon, polysulfone, and similar compounds. Advantages: Thickens both epoxy resins and amine hardeners at 1/6 the cost of pyrogenic silica. Wets out quickly and disperses easily. Has no shear sensitivity. Improves shelf life, reduces settling. Reduces dusting from material-handling operations. Eliminates need for viscosity build-up or thixotropic stabilization additives (except for low viscosity, cyclo aliphatic epoxides). For further information on this "new approach" to thickening and thixotropy, contact your nearest Union Carbide sales office, listed on the back cover. THE DISCOVERY COMPANY UCC 008916 AU3607 S Asbestos beefs up plastics adhesives to extend their use Highway markers are bonded with inexpensive, asbestos-modified adhesives. Two components are mixed and dispensed from cart before applying reflectant. The first single-crystal whiskers fo be used by man were asbestos. Since the whiskers' high strength was first measured in a laboratory, scientists have been trying to find ways to harness the potential of asbestos in structural materials. The tensile strength of single crystals of asbestos has been meas ured at more than 800,000 psi-- as strong as the strongest glass filaments. But so far, strengths achieved in composites do not go beyond those achieved with glassmar reinforcements. The thorn fo date. One of the chief drawbacks of asbestos has been the inability of researchers to incorporate homogeneously more than 10% to 20% asbestos with structural resins. With only 4% or 5 %, resin mixtures become unman ageably viscous. But this very deficiency is being turned to advantage by Union Car bide chemists, who have developed a number of thixotropic uses for their new resin-grade of chrysotile asbestos. The Union Carbide mate rial, because of its high purity and fine particle size, is easier to in corporate in resinous compounds. Union Carbide's filler is cheaper than other thixotropic agents. Opening new fields. Union Car bide mines an area in California. Asbestos was discovered there just a few years ago, and it is believed to be the largest source of highpurity asbestos ore in the world. The extra-high purity of this grade has opened up a whole new range of uses for asbestos. An important difference in the California grade of asbestos is its random orientation, which permits the wet-processing system. Wet processing breaks up individual fibers into easy-to-handle dust-free pellets. The separation of fibers yields a more efficient reinforcing effect in resin-based products. Another application for asbestos is as a reinforcement for thermo plastics. Adding 20% asbestos to Nylon 6 doubles both the flexural and tensile strength of the unrein forced material. The increase matches the strength improvement obtained with chopped-glass fibers. Saving money. Most other appli cations for the new grade of as bestos have been in viscosity-con trol uses such as with epoxy and polyester compounds. Of course, some reinforcing effect also results. For example, traffic-marker ad hesives based on epoxy resins have been made 60ft to 70 (-/Td. cheaper by using the asbestos thickener. About 30 grn of adhesive are used by the State of California's Highway Dept, in putting down round-button pavement markers. About 3 million of these markers will be applied by the end of this year: The use of asbestos has added up to some important savings for the California tax payer. (2.127) from PRODUCT ENGINEERING/October 21, 1968 Copyright 1968 McGraw-Hill, Inc. Use by permission of Product Engineering ** d 3 6 o 6 UCC 008917 P.spdoted from PAINT and VARNISH PRODUCTION FEBRUARY 1971 UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION MINING & METALS DIVISION P.0. 30X 573 NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. 14302 TEL: 716-235-3311 Rasin-Grade Asbestos Boosts hixotropic Qualities of Epoxies Based on the results of a year-long series of laboratory and in-the-field tests, Sta-Crete, Inc,, San Francisco, Calif., is now using a resin-grade asbestos instead of pyrogenic silica as the standard thLxotrope in most of its epoxy coatings. Jane A. Black, president of StaCrete, reports that the company has found that the asbestos, manu factured by Union Carbide Corp., New York, N.Y., offers many im portant processing advantages.' "It is simpler to handle," she said, "and dispersion is easier, using either high or low speed mixing equipment. In addition, a dusting problem that prevailed with silica was eliminated. We are no longer concerned with particles floating in the immediate area when the thixotrope is dumped into the mix ing tank. "Another benefit gained," Miss Black continued, "is improved eco nomy. The asbestos costs about 75 per cent less than the silica." In actual use, coatings with the asbestos additive reportedly have better consistency and improved thixotropic properties. As a result, the coatings can have lower viscos ity but still offer good sag resis tance for vertical surface applica tions. The effectiveness of Sta-Crete's coatings in this type of application was shown in the use of a new epoxy coating as an exterior facing on a new high school building in Summerville, S.C. The coating was specifically formulated around a particular form of resin-grads asbestos. Union Carbide's Caiidria Asbestos, Resin-Grade 144. The contractor, Ed Scarpa, of Charleston Tile &. Marble Co., Charleston, S.C., pointed out that the coating was not gritty or sandy and did not contain any lumps or other undesirable aggregates that could hinder mixing or application of the two-part material. Installa tion involved troweling the coating onto the masonry surface. Because of its high thixotropy, the facing had sufficient flow to permit easy, uniform application with no run off. Sta-Crete found that the coating offered a number of other advan tages. The material is applied in place rather than being installed as a prefabricated panel. As a result, the contractor did not have to be concerned with joint alignment or masonry plumb errors, two condi tions that would have required costly, time-consuming corrections or adjustments. Use of the coat ing, Mr. Scarpa estimated, lowered material and installation costs for the 12,000-square-foot epoxy fac ing to about 50 per cent less than, what would have been in curred with other facings. . A workman trowels the epoxy coating onto the masonry sur face cf the new Sum merville High School in Summerville, S.C. Because of its high thixotropic qualities, the material had suf ficient flow to permit easy, uniform appli cation. A03 609 UCC 008918 Resin-Grade Asbestos Improves Thixotropic Properties of Highway Marker Adhesive Reprinted from ADHESIVES AGE, March 1969 Ft y specifying resin-grade asbestos as the viscosity control agent for epoxy-based adhesives used to affix button lane markers on California highways, the state's Division of Highways eliminated an adhesive storage stability problem that had prevailed with previous thixotropes. In California, pavement markers are installed on most state highways in accordance with a state law enacLed a number of years ago. De signed to replace striping, the raised markers are used to delineate traffic lanes, especially at night and during wet weather. Since every ninth mark er is reflectorized, lane differentiation is accomplished primarily by visual means. The raised markers also give an audible sound as a vehicle rides over them. An average of 30 grams of adhe sive is used per button, but the amount varies depending upon mark er shape -- round or square -- and on the type and condition of the pave ment. Although about three million button markers were applied in 1968, the program will continue for several more years before all California roads will be equipped as prescribed. All adhesives used are pre tested by the highway division's test lab oratory, placed in specific inventory, anti released to contractors by state inspectors at the time of application. In many instances, storage time is quite extensive, sometimes under tem peratures that reach 115 F. or higher. Under these circumstances, the viscosity and thixotropy achieved by the use of colloidal silica in the "A" or epoxy resin component is unstable and loss is excessive and quite rapid. When this instability oc curred it resulted in adhesive rejects or in critical runoff during applica tion that left insufficient resin to as sure a proper bond. To improve these characteristics, the state highway1 division sought a thixotrope that would extend shelf life without any effect on adhesive performance or structural strength. After testing several different ma terials, the laboratory found that a resin-grade asbestos, such as Union Carbide Corporation's Calidria As bestos, Type R-G 144, best met the storage stability requirements stipu lated in state specifications covering pavement markers and their adhe sives. Under these regulations, the adhesive could not change in vis cosity and shear index by more than plus or minus 15 per cent when stored for two weeks in closed con tainers at 115 F., 3 F. Resin-grade asbestos proved ac ceptable in all oven-aged stability tests and in all viscosity and thixotropy measurement tests. The results showed little or no drop in viscosity, resulting in a highly stable adhesive that had an excellent shelf life. Significant processing advantages also are offered. For example, the asbestos is less costly than other thixotropes, with an average reduc tion of about 60 to 70 cents per pound. Processing costs also are lower because comparatively smaller amounts of asbestos are required. In addition, resin-grade asbestos is easier to store, handle and disperse. Its ex cellent shear strength, eliminated the need for polar additives. Because of these improvements, processors are now assured of producing adhesives with consistent viscosities that do not drop even after prolonged storage under high heat. On the left a predetermined amount of adhesive is applied to specific locations on road surface with truck-mounted rneter-mix and dispense equipment. On the right a button marker is hand applied on the prepared spot. The thixotropic properties of resingrade asbestos keep adhesive viscosity constant, assuring no runoff during application. F42502 046-9 UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION CHEMICALS AND PLASTICS 270 PARK AVENUE, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10017 UCC 008919 A J J fcj ! C