Gaskets are materials used to seal one compartment of a device ...

• heat resistance to prevent thermal decomposition of the
packing due to elevated shaft speeds and high temperature
fluids;
a chemical resistance to prevent deterioration of the packing
due to contact with caustic and potentially explosive
fluids;
• durability to provide long lasting control of fluid flow;
and,
• low cost (ICF l986a).
B. Producers and Importers of Asbestos Packing
Table 3 lists the fiber consumption and quantity of packings produced in
1985. (Raymark Corporation refused to provide production and fiber
consumption data for 1985, but was a producer in 1981 and so was assumed to
have continued production of asbestos packing.)
The values for domestic
asbestos fiber consumption in the production of asbestos packings and the
total amount of asbestos packings produced have been changed to
account for
the output of Raymark Corporation using the methodology described in
Appendix A to this RIA. The adjusted values are 2.1 tons and 3 tons for fiber
consumption and packings production, respectively (ICF 1986a).
The secondary processors of asbestos packings in 1983 include: FMC
Corporation in Houston, Texas and WKM Division of ACF Industries, Inc. in
Missouri City, Texas. While WKM Division imported its asbestos mixture, FMC
Corporation used domestic supplies in 1985. These companies received packings
and further processed them in order to meet specifications
of their customers
(ICF l986a).
C. Trends
Three manufacturers, Johns-Manville Corporation (now Manville Sales
Corporation) in Manville, New Jersey, Rockwell International in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, and John-Crane Houdaille (now Crane Packing) in Morton Grove,
Illionois, ceased production of asbestos packings between 1981 and 1985.
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