Other Piping Gasket Substitution Problems

A petroleum refinery was in the process of phasing out compressed asbestos gaskets to conform to new U.S. laws. Asbestos gaskets had been used for years without any significant problems. During the conversion the company mistakenly assumed the nonasbestos substitute gasket would seal the same fluids as the asbestos products if the gaskets were used within the manufacturers temperature limitations. 

Regrettably, a refinery worker was injured by sulfuric acid because a 4-inch (10 cm) piping substitute gasket failed. The acrylic fibers in the nonasbestos gasket material were attacked by the acid. The asbestos fibers had resisted the chemical attack. 

---