Transite
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Transite is a completely fireproof composite material made of 12-50% asbestos and cement, which was once frequently used for such purposes as furnace flues, and shingles, siding, and wallboard for areas where fire retardancy is particularly important. Because cutting, breaking, and machining transite releases carcinogenic asbestos fibers into the air, its use has fallen out of favor.
Demolition of older buildings containing transite materials, particularly siding made from transite requires special precautions and disposal techniques to protect workers and the public.
Transite was available as early as 1929, as it was used for the skin of the 1929 Hollywood Bowl shell, which stood until the fall of 2003. As an acoustic material, however, transite has the additional problem that its cement binder continues to harden over an indefinite period of time, which can introduce harsh echoes.
Transite HT, and Transite 1000, are currently available fiber cement boards that contain no asbestos.
