Steam Turbines — Asbestos Exposure Crosswalk
What This Equipment Is
Steam turbines convert the pressure and heat of steam into rotating mechanical power. In a utility power plant, a turbine drives an electric generator. In an industrial facility — a brewery, refinery, paper mill, or steel mill — a smaller turbine might drive a compressor, blower, or pump.
Industrial steam turbines run at high temperature and high speed. The casing and steam piping require heavy thermal insulation. The bearings and gland seals require packing. The high-pressure steam admission valves and trip-throttle valves use sheet and spiral-wound gaskets. The structural steel and lube-oil piping around the turbine were often fireproofed.
Asbestos Products Historically Used Around Steam Turbines
| Product Category | Where on the Turbine | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Turbine lagging (block insulation) | Casing, steam chests, governor housings | Calcium silicate or magnesia block, fitted by insulators |
| Pipe covering | Main-steam, extraction, and exhaust piping | Magnesia, calcium silicate |
| Insulating cement | Joints, irregular casing surfaces | Mixed dry, hand-applied |
| Gaskets | Steam admission valves, casing horizontal joints | Sheet and spiral-wound gasket material |
| Packing | Throttle and governor valve stems, gland seals | Braided asbestos rope packing |
| Spray fireproofing | Lube-oil piping, structural steel | Spray-applied or troweled |
| Asbestos cloth | Removable insulation blankets, lagging covers | Sewn asbestos cloth covers |
Manufacturers Named in Litigation Involving These Products
- General Electric — turbine OEM named in installation/maintenance claims
- Westinghouse Electric — turbine OEM named in installation/maintenance claims
- Johns-Manville — pipe covering, block insulation
- Owens-Corning / Fibreboard — pipe covering, block insulation
- Eagle-Picher — block insulation
- Armstrong World Industries — calcium silicate insulation
- Pittsburgh Corning — Unibestos pipe covering
- Garlock Sealing Technologies — sheet gaskets
- A.W. Chesterton — braided asbestos rope packing
- W.R. Grace — fireproofing products
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
- Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust
- Owens-Corning / Fibreboard Asbestos PI Trust
- Eagle-Picher Industries PI Settlement Trust
- Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Asbestos PI Trust
- Armstrong World Industries Asbestos PI Settlement Trust
- Garlock Sealing Technologies LLC Asbestos PI Trust
Trades Most Exposed at Steam Turbines
Insulators (Heat & Frost), pipefitters, millwrights and turbine-overhaul mechanics during outages, boilermakers, electricians, laborers doing tear-out.
Jobsites in the Network Documenting Steam Turbines
- Anheuser-Busch Brewery, St. Louis, Missouri — industrial steam plant
- Missouri power plants on the state-site network
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.