1998/03/23 Caterpillar

This article replaces the article with the same title in the February 9, 1998 issue.

For many years Caterpillar has sold 7M-7260 Liquid Gasket ("Cat Red"). It can be used for sealing final drive flanges and many other areas. 7M-7260 Liquid Gasket contains 1,1,1-trichloroethane. As a result of the "Montreal Protocol", 1,1,1-trichloroethane (which was suspected of contributing to upper atmosphere ozone depletion) will no longer be manufactured. However, it is still legal to use the existing product in most countries, if the product is labeled properly.

Up to this time, Caterpillar has not found another solvent that has all of the desirable properties of 1,1,1-trichloroethane. Those desirable properties include:

* Non-flammable.

* Excellent solvent properties.

* Rapid evaporation.

* No residual oil film.

* Low toxicity.

Caterpillar continues to provide the non-flammable 7M-7260 Liquid Gasket for those jobs where such a product is necessary.

Unfortunately, the price of 1,1,1-trichloroethane is rapidly increasing and the supply is rapidly dwindling. It is now necessary to provide a less costly alternative product that can be used instead of 7M-7260 Liquid Gasket. This alternative product is now available as 138-8436 (8 ounce brush top can) or 9U-5839 (4 ounce collapsible tube) Liquid Gasket. Both of these new product contain the solvent acetone. ACETONE IS EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. Acetone is a common solvent that is frequently found as the primary ingredient in lacquer thinner, carburetor cleaners, and some brake and component cleaners. Like 1,1,1-trichloroethane, acetone's desirable properties include:

* Excellent solvent properties.

* Rapid evaporation.

* No residual oil film.

But, unlike 1,1,1-trichloroethane, ACETONE IS EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. Acetone must not be used in areas where there are open flames, arching, sparks, or hot surfaces. Adequate precautions for fire and explosion prevention must be made when substituting 138-8436 or 9U-5839 Liquid Gasket for 7M-7260 Liquid Gasket. For any questions about these products, contact the Product Manager at Phone Number (309) 675-6713.