Document NN87QoNVNzx70Z2b45w2NM4aR

m 1969- H. K. Portci' Comoany The rirtoid. Divis5 on 1250 Poi'ter Building Pittsburg, Fa. 15219 0000 29 U Gentlemen: Re Proposed Insulating tutorials for Naval Vessels The serious hazards of asbestos have recently received vide spread publicity and' have conerated a high level qf interest concerning its use by the U, S. Navy as an insulating material. There are, irony varied uses of asbestos in the Navy but the most disturbing, fron a health hazard viewpoint, is that for piping mid boiler insulation and lagging. The chief hazard exists *,.'herover there is a possibility of dust evolution during operations such as fabrication, installation and especially during rip-out. In order to minimise the hazards associated v/ith the use of asbestos and therefore reduce the possibility of deleterious effects to the workers, a comprehensive study lias been initiated by the Naval Chip Engineering Center, Kyattsville, J.'d., to investigate the feasibility of substituting alternate materials for asbestos used ns lagging, piping and boiler insula tion. E.igli tern era.tore insulation, as used by the Navy, must be composed re.inly of inorganic raterials in order to endure temperatures above 200 F for extended periods. In addition, an acceptable insulation oust exhibit the following characteristics: '. ' v 1. Low heat conductivity. 2, Non-combustibil ity. 3/ Lightweight. 4. .Capability of easy molding and application. 5. Poisturc repellency. ' ' 6. Non-corrosive, insoluble and chemically inert. 7. Composition, structure and characteristics must remain unchanged by temperature at which it 'is to be used. gir If Ife fc 6764:1'A: dmt 9390(FA-2o7) Ser 754 B, Hust be vermin proof, ' " 9, The material and application costs should be economical, 10, The ideal insulation should ba nontoxic and non-injuricus to personnel during fabrication, installation, use, or rip-out, 11, Once installed, it should not cluster, become lumpy, disintegrate or build up in masses from vibration. . The Philadelphia Division of the Naval Ship Engineering Center has been assigned tasks to conduct a survey.of suppliers of insulation to the Navy, to' secure technical data literature, and to investigate radical research findings, safety manuals, and data on research being pursued by private industry intended to develop new or improved^ materials which may ba suitable for replacements for asbestos for piping, felts and lagging.- The cooperation and support of industry for this study i3 earnestly solicited by this activity since the health of the worker is the concern of management, labor and the government. Accordingly, the Navy is decii'ous of obtaining information on the following: a a. Arc alternate non-asbestos containing materials available which may be used as thermal insulation pipe covering? The insulation must offer protection up to 750 F and be manufactured in cylindrical section: up to 3 feet long, and split in half lcngthvd.se, b. Are there any single layer or combination layered non-asbestos molded materials available which may ba used as thermal insulation pipe covering for protection from 750 to 1200 F? c-. Y/hat materials may be substituted for asbestos insulation felt (plain.or water repellent) for use on valves or other irregular ' surfaces and which arc suitable for a range from cold water temperature to 900 F? * ` d. What non-asbestos containing cloth materials may be used as a lagging jacket over thermal insulation, or as a vm*upping on engine exhaust pines, or for piping or tubing, or on the inner and outer surfaces of removable covers and on flanges and valves from -5 F to 1050 F? e. What heat-resistant bonding materials may be substituted for asbestos insulation finishing cement over block insulation and irregular surfaces where powdering during rip-out has been a problem? 2 6764 dirt 9390(FA-287)' Ser 754 f . Y/hat safety precautions to prevent inhalation of dust are observed, during the manufacturing and processing of insulation materials? g. V/hat safety precautions are recommended during the installation and replacement of insulating materials to prevent the inhalation of asbestos fibers and dust? '- h. To v/hat extent or degree \7ill material and installation costs be affected by the elimination or curtailment of the use of asbestos containing insulation? ' Due to the urgency of this undertaking, it is requested that the above information be foivurded at your earliest convenience to Dr. !i. Anmuth, the project engineer of this task, at the Naval fehip Engineering Center, Philadelphia Division, 6764, Philadelphia, Pa. 19112 (telephone number (215) 755-3922). Information submitted to the Philadelphia - Division of the Naval Ship Engineering Center v/ill be utilised by the Naval Ship Systems Cozvmnd in promulgating a directive which will eliminate the - use of materials and practices which arc potentially hazardous to the -- health of insulation workers. This'activity lias been directed to complete the survey of insulation suppliers try 15 June 1989 >0 afford time for collation and personal contacts, if deemed necessary, - Please be assured that any product composition omd formulae submitted in response to this survey will be hold in strict confidence and will be viewed as a voluntary contribution to this perplexing problem to the insulation industry. It is understood that submission of information solicited by this activity will not obligate the government or its agencies in any manner whatsoever. . Very truly yours. Copy to: N/iVSEC 6101CHAVSECSDIEGODIV 6873 NAVSECNORDIV 6603 NAVSECPHILADIV 6700B01, 6712,' 6760, 6764(4) J. V?. J5JRD0CK . . Head, Applied Physics Department