Document dYkjYZv888wkB3mROYjOEXeQ9

PITTSBURGH PURCHASING XMDUSTRIAI. " 19 August 7, 1972 r' MR. . J. MTERS UARRICX OPERATIONS 7W /CfC Mi KLMIHATIOS OP ASBESTOS T*OH INSULATION PROPPCTS This will summarise the remits ef our efforts to eliminate materials coots log asbestos from cmr various gait operations associated with smelting, melting and easting of aluminum. The BK>st efficient high temperature iosalation boards available for back-up iosalation applications contain approximately 8 per cent asbestos) the sore popular brands for this type insolation are, Johns-Maxrrilie'a Superex; Carey's Hi-Tempj Internationa1 Vermieulite's IV-18 aad XV-20. We are working with the board manufacturers to eliminate asbestos from these products and as early as January, 1973 an asbestos-free insulation board for back-ap insulation may be available for oer use. although the asbestos-free board may not hava the insulation, strength aad low shrinkage characteristics as the beard presently used, its use ehould be ecoeptsble for beck-up insulation and shows promise in meeting the rigid standards set by 0U1, Xn transfer operations, e.g. trough linings, the most oesnmnnly used materials are asbeatoa-lumnita aad Molten Metal Marinite (hum) . Xa our search for new materials to upgrade the service life of trough liners along with meeting OSBA requirements, acme of our plants are switching to asbestos-free materials such as Glasrook, Alumina-Silica fiber materials (Fiberfrax Vari-Porm or Kaowool or Garafelt) and Sllfrax. Zn addition, we have an active program in progress to develop Alcoa's 340 material (asbestos-free) for trough . lining. The most difficult and frustrating phase of our objective to rid ourselves ef materials ef construction which contain asbestos has been associated with the MUM headers used in ingot easting. For the pest 12 years we have been actively engaged with all manu facturers of board products, and in particular Johns-Manvllla, to upgrade and/or develop a satisfactory substitute for JH for the critical header applications in BDC and FDC ingot eaating operationa. ^Odate, tba refractory suppliers and Alooa have bean unable to develop a mew formulation for an insulating type .hoard having good Yooistanoe to natal attaak along with acceptable, moohlmlag and smhriakaga characteristics. All of the major board manufacturers except Johns-Manvllla have abandoned their efforts Along this lino, and today, wo ara laft with only one supplier and ooo acceptable board, namely MKM. Many attampts have been made to ellminato asbestos from Marinita but in all eases, the result was a totally unacceptable board with respect to strength, machinaability, end resistance to metal attaak. MMM is mot ths ideal material for header APC 004315 Br. G. J. Myers Wsi i 1 nT~ Optratloni Pt^a 2 Applications, but it it tb only material that has performed satisfactorily. Without MKK tha MDC Proeass would cone to a 'screeching halt. We have doubled our efforts in tha searoh for other oaterials to replace Mm and, todate, the only faint ray of hope lies with Alcoa's 240 material. We are faced with the task of meeting both OSHA requirements and the rigid physical and chemical properties demanded for critical refractory applications. Presently, both standards appear unrealistic; however, we take courage in knowing that Other *lmpossible challenges" have been met by Alcoa, and it is only a matter of time before our present dilemma will be resolved. M. J. CAPRI0 MJCipat oe: Hr. J. D. Kagan - Warrick Operations Mr. R. P. Carter - Pgh. 7 Mr. J. S. Kelson - Pgh. OP El ALCOA APC 004316 C&04> B^Jus ? pj'W6 . ,, -- B^r -- /yj i^tL ~ (/z^ ^ 3 a^u( ^ ^ a, --' /(% 6UJ?J^7?Z'332s APC 004317