Asbestos caulking, sealants and putty compounds
Description
Chemically produced compounds which included asbestos fibre (often chrysotile asbestos) to enhance bonding of the material when cured.
Maybe grey to dark coloured. Used for multiple joint applications associated with AC product such as roofing components.
Brands/products
Vulcatex (WR Grace USA)
Orion’s Plug Easy
Years of production/use
Prior to 2003
Residential uses
- Structural sealing in expansion joints, AC sheet joints (such as between mitre-cut joints flashing and guttering), window seals in structures and caravans, water tanks
- Maintenance applications are limited to imagination of householder
- Boat maintenance
Industrial uses
- Structural sealing including windows
- Seal joints between metal sheeting to prevent water ingress or where thermal protection was required, such as air conditioning ducts, furnaces, flues or industrial sized exhausts.
- AC sheet jointing and waterproofing
- Older caravan construction
Be aware
Likely to harden, become brittle and deteriorate over time, particularly if exposed to weathering or continual changes in temperature.
Incorrect use of compounds that exposed them to higher temperatures such as fireplaces etc, where insulating cements should have been used, may have resulted in severe deterioration.
