Mechanical Seals — Asbestos Exposure Crosswalk

What This Equipment Is

A mechanical seal is a precision shaft-sealing device that replaces traditional gland packing on pumps, compressors, mixers, and agitators. A rotating face slides against a stationary face under spring or hydraulic load, with a thin liquid film keeping the faces separated and preventing leakage. Mechanical seals are now the dominant industrial shaft-sealing technology — but for decades, several mechanical-seal components and the secondary sealing elements around them used asbestos-bearing materials:

  • Gland gaskets — flat asbestos sheet gasket between the seal gland plate and the pump casing
  • Secondary seals (O-rings, V-rings, chevrons) — asbestos-reinforced elastomer or pure asbestos in some chemical-service formulations
  • Seal-face composites — carbon-graphite seal faces with asbestos-bonded composites in specific high-temperature applications
  • Surrounding installed packing — many mechanical-seal installations were retrofits over existing packing setups; packing remained adjacent

When a mechanical seal failed and a pump was put back into service on emergency packing, asbestos rope packing was the standard interim seal.

Why Mechanical-Seal Work Was an Asbestos Exposure Pathway

Even though mechanical seals are not primarily an asbestos product family, the surrounding repair work was. Replacing a mechanical seal on a hot pump involves:

  1. Stripping insulation off the casing
  2. Breaking the casing gasket free with a scraper
  3. Removing the gland plate (asbestos gasket below)
  4. Removing the old seal (asbestos secondary seals come out)
  5. If converting to emergency packing, cutting and installing asbestos rope
  6. Reassembling with fresh gaskets and seals
  7. Re-insulating

Each step exposed the mechanic to one or more asbestos product family.

Manufacturers Named in Mechanical-Seal Litigation

  • John Crane — mechanical seals (the dominant brand) named in installation/maintenance claims
  • A.W. Chesterton — mechanical seals and packing
  • Durametallic — mechanical seals
  • Borg-Warner Industrial Products — mechanical seals
  • Garlock Sealing Technologies — gland gaskets and packing
  • Crane Co. — pumps and ancillary equipment
  • Goulds Pumps — pump OEM with original equipment seals

Documented Product References

Images sourced from publicly available product-identification reference materials. Inclusion does not constitute a finding of liability against any company.

Trust Funds That May Apply

  • Garlock Sealing Technologies LLC Asbestos PI Trust
  • Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust
  • (John Crane has historically defended claims through direct civil litigation rather than a Chapter 11 trust mechanism, with extensive case history.)

Trades Most Exposed at Mechanical-Seal Work

Pipefitters, maintenance mechanics, pump-rebuild specialists, millwrights, plant operators handling emergency repacks, refinery turnaround crews.

Jobsites in the Network Documenting Mechanical-Seal Work

Compiled from publicly filed asbestos litigation, EPA / state-DNR records, and industry-publication histories. Product and company references reflect what has been alleged or documented in publicly filed litigation. This page does not constitute a finding of liability against any company. Not legal advice; consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation.