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

equivalent basis, they are favored by manufacturers of aluminum roof coatings.
Unlike cellulose fibers,
polyethylene fibers do not contain water which can
react with aluminum, forming a dangerous hydrogen gas, eventually resulting in
the lids of containers blowing after only six months of storage (Missouri
Paint & Varnish 1986). To guarantee a long shelf life many manufacturers of
aluminum roof coatings
such as Missouri Paint & Varnish and Columbia Paint
Corporation use polyethylene fiber formulations (ICF 1986). Table 3
identifies some of the numerous manufacturers of polyethylene fibered roof
coatings and cements.
Missouri Paint & Varnish has discontinued asbestos processing completely
in 1986 and substituted it with polyethylene fibers in combination with clay
and talc fillers. They estimate that aluminum roof coatings with polyethylene
fibers cost one-third more to produce than asbestos bearing counterparts
(Missouri Paint & Varnish 1986). Columbia Paint Corporation estimates that
the prices of the roof coatings and cements have increased over 25 percent as
a
result of their decision to reformulate their asbestos containing products
with polyethylene fibers (Columbia Paint 1986).
Manufacturers of non-asbestos roof coatings and cements whose
formulations
include polyethylene fibers have indicated some problems producing the
formulations.
a The polyethylene fiber formulations are difficult to mix
requiring other ingredients such as clay and talc;
a The formulations are not as strong due to the reduced
tensile strength of the fibers;
a The formulations cost more to produce; and,
a Their long term performance is still unknown since their
life on the market has been relatively short - - 5 yrs.
Many current and former asbestos processors have encountered difficulties in
replacing asbestos formulations with polyethylene formulations in some roofing
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