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Cork Filled Mastic

Cork filled mastic is a versatile insulating material often used in the construction of residential, commercial, and public buildings, and is especially valued for its ease of application. In its wet, semi-liquid form, cork filled mastic can be applied using a trowel, a brush, or a sprayer, allowing it to effectively cover a wide range of surface shapes and materials. Cork filled mastic also allows a fair degree of latitude in the thickness of the material being applied, which can be varied based on the application. The viscous formula also makes cork filled mastic an ideal solution for smaller applications, such as insulation around pipes and ductwork. The material repels moisture and is frequently used around cooling pipes or near cold surfaces to reduce or prevent sweating.

Cork filled mastic and asbestos

Until legislation in 1977 banned its use in the manufacture of construction materials, asbestos formed the core component of literally thousands of building materials. As an insulator offering high resistance to the damaging effects of both heat and water, the fiber lent itself to a variety of applications where insulation was a high priority. Asbestos also has the added benefits of flexibility and strength, and was widely and cheaply available. There’s no doubt that manufacturers and builders believed the addition of asbestos was a boon to cork filled mastic, as well as the thousands of other materials to which it was added. The tiny fibers of asbestos were ideal as an additive to the paste-like mastic, increasing both the strength and insulation of the end product. Unfortunately, the health risks associated with asbestos were not well known until the mid to late 1970s, by which time cork filled mastic had been applied to millions of pipes and other components. And because legislation did not affect existing supplies of cork filled mastic, the material continued to be used in many buildings constructed prior to the mid 1980s. Certainly, anyone involved in the manufacture of asbestos-based cork filled mastic is at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related health problems. But risks are also present for anyone involved in the renovation of these buildings, or even anyone working or living near the renovation sites, since airborne asbestos fibers are easily inhaled.

Last modified: December 09 2009.