Document NENvwy5MVE6z4mgVbnD6Byq4E

FILE NAME Brakes BRK DATE 1980 May 27 DOC BRK181 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION Abex Memo - Summary on Status of NonAsbestos Program Abex | 1167 anic Industries Company Company . Memorandum Date May 27 1980 Subject ASBESTOS MATERIALS . :y From B. Iwarsson To Steve Conway On Frank Herlihy's request I am hereby submitting a summary on the status of our asbestos program TECHNOLOGY First it should be realized that the technology to produce friction materials with asbestos formulations has existed for many years The problem has been to do so without a major price and weight penalty The most common solution was based on a bonded metallic formula- tion and over the years we have successfully produced blocks strips and disc brake parts on this basis However until recently the only serious commercial application of RBM materials was to be found in high performance passenger car disc brakes This technology was developed by our European operation and later adapted for application in the U.S. Early in 1979 we developed a metallic formulation for strip linings After considerable dynamometer and vehicle tests a revised version was introduced to the marketplace in 1980 In order to produce the same basic formula in blocks we first had to solve some manufacturing process problems This was accomplished in the Spring of 1980. The blocks are currently being dynamometer and vehicle tested by Abex as well as by Rockwell and Eaton We expect to introduce these blocks in commercial quantities later this year ASBESTOS REGULATIONS The current limiotf CMis in jeopardy A new limit of 0.2f has been proposed by NIOSH and OSHA Although implementation might be delayed by court action the end of asbestos as a raw material for friction productiss in sight PLAINTIFF'S KAZ 001847 ASBESTOS MATERIALS To Steve Conway May 27 1980 Page 2 MARKET Strip Lining -- Until so legislated the market would probably not demand asbestos materials for the reason that they are asbestos However the market might demand asbestos materials based on their technical capabilities and performance characteristics And that is pre- cisely the essence of our marketing program new generation of friction materials offers wear rate for both the lining and the drum for these new materials a significant improvement The fact that this first This in commercial application of metallic formulations was made for the school bus market has further improved the reception it has received Block -- We are currently road testing asbestos metallic metallic blocks that have been dynamometer tested and look extremely good As pre- viously stated introductioonf asbestos blocks in commercial quantities will take place later this year and will probably have an immediate application in those areas where drum wear has been a major problem Again it will be for technical reasons that this material finds a niche in the marketplace Disc Brake -- Other than RBM materials we do not have viable asbestos formulation at this time However we do expect to be testing a new asbestos metallic formulation before the end of the year MARKETING During 1979 we had friction material manufacturers announce their intention to have a complete asbestos line by 1981 or 1982. Shortly thereafter some of them introduced the first formulations Abex elected to keep a very low profile since our materials were still being tested and reformu- lated Since new materials always are subject to more rigorous testing by the O.E. manufacturer we elected to do our ducing our new formulations This paid their candidates and we succeeded with homework thoroughly before introoff our competitors failed with ours When we knew that we had a viable product it was introduced under the name of STAR LINE This name was arrived at after thorough evaluation of other possibilities such as XL Ifger and Alpha etc. all of which reason another The name STAR LINE applies the metallic version is called STAR MET were discarded for one to all asbestos formulas KAZ SPNY 003564 KHALL01848 001848 ASBESTOS MATERIALS To Steve Conway May 27 1980 : Page3 A11 STAR LINE high quality formulations materials have at least one thing in common they are high performance materials that thus cost more than other In summary I would like to point out that the new STAR LINE has been exceptionally well received in the marketplace However , I hasten to also point out that requirements from the Aftermarket are extremely small and in the O.E. market our customers interest is primarily based on concern for asbestos legislation programs Please find enclosed also some samples of existing and future advertising ; . ad CC F. Herlihy Enclosures is B. Iwarsson SPNY 003565 KAZ KHALL01849 001849 ne