Asbestos Wick

Wicking materials are primarily used to transfer or absorb various fluids such as water or oil. Wicking material typically consists of fibrous materials such as cellulose, wood fibers, cotton, wool, fiberglass, rayon, polyester, nylon or asbestos, which work to naturally absorb and transport fluids through capillary action.

Asbestos in Wick Material

Asbestos was often used as a wicking material from the 1920s until the 1950s in various applications, such as in wickless oil stoves, automobiles, appliances, power tools and military equipment. When sheets of asbestos felt were pressed together under extreme pressure, the fibers would interlock, creating an extremely strong, absorbent and flame-retardant pressed sheet. The pressed felt could then be wound and twisted into rope to create asbestos wicks.

Asbestos wicks were prized for their superior resistance to chemicals, heat and flame, as well as their ability to absorb large quantities of liquid. Since asbestos wick material naturally would not catch fire itself, the material was often added to regular cotton lamp wicks to provide added strength, as well as to reduce the need for trimming or replacing wick material. Some asbestos wicks utilized in oil lamps in the 1920s and 1930s could last for up to 12 months before they required trimming.

Uses for Asbestos Wick Material

Asbestos wick could be found in a variety of applications requiring the lubrication or absorption of oils or other fluids. Wick material was also present in situations involving sound or vibration absorption.

Uses for asbestos wick material include:

• Fluid absorption
• Fluid transfer
• Seals
• Gaskets
• Vibration control
• Cushioning
• Oil/grease removal from surfaces
• Lubrication

Wick material containing asbestos could be found in the following brand name products, in addition to others:

• Atomic Asbestos Woven Wicking
• Victory Asbestos Wick (from Atlas Asbestos Company)
• Flamemaster Asbestos Wicking (from Atlas Asbestos Company)

Hazards of Asbestos Wick

Asbestos fibers can be dangerous if inhaled or ingested, and asbestos wick material can pose a significant health hazard if the material becomes frayed, damaged or otherwise disturbed during or after use. Microscopic asbestos fibers can easily become airborne if the wicking material is aged or worn, and the fibers can lodge in body tissues and cause significant damage over time. Asbestos exposure has been linked to serious health conditions such as lung cancer, lung scarring, asbestosis, mesothelioma and other types of cancers.

While asbestos was banned to some extent in the late 1980s by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the material may still be found in materials manufactured prior to the ban.