As the first indications of the formation of chromium(VI) compounds (particularly Calcium chromate) in connection with the use of calcium-containing assembly pastes and/or calcium-containing insulating materials in the high-temperature range (300°C - 750°C) in technical systems (engines, turbines, apparatus, pipelines etc.) came up, the data situation was still a bit sparse.
Suddenly, products that have been used around the world for decades had a certain flaw.
Chromium (VI) and its compounds have been included in the REACH list and in particular at so-called "hard chrome plating", new paths had to be taken because the load limits for workplaces were not only exceeded because of the knowledge that, particularly during welding, carcinogenic and mutagenic chromium (VI) -containing vapors are released have been significantly reduced.
For example, In Germany, for example, the limit value for Cr6 compounds in the workplace is now one microgram/m³ of working air per 8-hour shift, i.e. just a millionth of a gram.
Molyslip made the start in 2022 in presenting calcium-free assembly pastes, and in 2023 DuPont also brought out a calcium- and magnesium-free version of their assembly paste, which is sold worldwide "Molykote".
Already in 2021 the company Kavarmat s.c. from Poland the first calcium-free insulation for engines and turbines and, in his own words, defines the new state of the art - itch-free, alkali- and alkaline-earth-free insulation materials and high-temperature insulation:
While the replacement of the calcium-containing assembly pastes is relatively quiet, with the machine manufacturers in particular providing their own staff, but also their customers and business partners with sufficient information, there is no reaction from the insulation manufacturers and insulation companies.
The reason should be obvious, as always, it's about... money!
The fight against chromium (VI) in the insulation industry will cost engine and turbine manufacturers and producers of insulation materials hundreds of millions of euros
A tube or even a larger can of assembly paste is quickly exchanged, but what happens to the tens of thousands of meters and thus tons of mineral fibers, insulation pads and other high-temperature insulation systems on technical systems?
The insulation industry is still silent!
A good two years ago, one of the largest German trade associations in the mineral wool industry tried in vain to obtain an injunction against the above-mentioned Polish company Kavarmat against publications by the Polish company.
Convinced of the supposed inviolability of their own products, even if they contain calcium, the target value in dispute of 60(!) million euros alone should deter the small Polish company with German roots, unsettle them and probably quickly silence them.
But things turned out differently than one would have hoped for on the higher floors, and so one reads in the text of the comparison judgment, which the editors have received in full, among other things:
2. The defendant undertakes ... in the context of calcium-containing mineral wool on high-temperature systems, not abstractly from Chrome (Vl)- compounds, but always specifically of the chrome (Vl) compound (Calcium chromate) when referring to calcium chromate . If other Chrome (Vl) compounds are meant from the context, these must be specified in the same way.
In other words: the use of calcium-containing mineral wool in high-temperature systems can lead to the formation of the carcinogenic chromium (VI) compound calcium chromate.
We don't report on anything else here:
The use of calcium-containing high-temperature insulation materials on high-temperature systems, in contact with stainless steel-containing hot parts or connecting or fastening materials tends to the formation of the carcinogenic and chronically environmentally harmful chromium (VI) compound calcium chromate.
To be continued!