As Compressed Asbestos Gaskets Are Phased Out, Other Leaks Will Occur

As Compressed Asbestos Gaskets Are Phased Out, Other Leaks Will Occur 

Compressed asbestos gaskets have been available for over 120 years. They are resistant to high temperatures and are inert to many alkalis, acids, oxygen, high temperature steam, petroleum products, and organics solvents. They are strong and relatively inexpensive. In many plants they have been the universal gasket material. 

It is disappointing, but the compressed asbestos gasket has no universal substitute. In many cases, it requires two, three, or more different, limited-application substitutes. Many substitute gaskets will cost between three and ten times higher than the compressed asbestos they replace. 

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