Abstract
Asbestos-filled furan and phenolic plastics have been in use for many years to solve the corrosion problems of the chemical process industry. Specifically, Haveg 41 and Haveg 61 materials have proven service applications in the dye industry, manufacture of alum, digestion of ores, by-product HCl process, and numerous others. However, stricter government regulations regarding the handling of asbestos, as well as problems with reliable sources of the fiber, prompted a search for substitute fillers. Many fillers were evaluated, but no single filler possessed the unique properties of asbestos. Finally, a blend of silicate-type fillers was developed, employing the same basic phenolic and furan resins used in the former Haveg 41 and 61 materials. These new grades of Haveg, called 41-NA and 61-NA, actually possess improved physical properties and, in most cases, equivalent corrosion resistance. Haveg NA equipment is now in service in our own plant as well as in customers' plants. The longest exposure for Haveg NA equipment to date has been two years and no problems have been experienced.