Product Description

Reichhold Chemicals manufactured Reichhold 25310 (RCI 25310) as part of its line of asbestos-filled phenolic molding compounds. Phenolic resins — derived from the condensation of phenol and formaldehyde — served as the dominant thermoset matrix for electrical, automotive, appliance, and industrial parts through the 1940s–1970s asbestos era, valued for their dimensional stability, dielectric strength, heat resistance, and mechanical strength under load. Reichhold Chemicals manufactured the 25310 grade of phenolic molding compound, also internally designated ‘RCI 25310’ in Square D Company purchasing records. RCI 25310 is one of multiple Reichhold-supplied asbestos-filled phenolic compounds documented in publicly filed asbestos litigation, alongside related Reichhold grades 25-31 OC, C-F-I, 25158, and 25170. Reichhold supplied these phenolic molding compounds to Square D’s circuit breaker and switchgear manufacturing plants across each year from 1955 through 1990.

Documented Applications and Recipient Facilities

Reichhold RCI 25310 and related Reichhold phenolic compounds (25-31 OC, C-F-I, 25158, 25170) are documented in publicly filed asbestos litigation as supplied to electrical equipment manufacturers — most extensively to the Square D Company plants in the QO circuit breaker network (Cedar Rapids, IA; Columbia, MO; Lincoln, NE) across the 1955–1990 documented sales period. Reichhold compound MSDS sheets were the subject of publicly filed records in litigation, and Reichhold phenolic compounds were used by Square D for compression molding of asbestos-filled phenolic arc chutes, barrier insulators, and breaker interrupter components.

Asbestos Content

Reichhold 25310 (RCI 25310) is identified in publicly filed asbestos litigation records as an asbestos-filled phenolic molding compound, meaning asbestos fiber was an intentional and primary constituent of the product formulation rather than an incidental contaminant. The fiber loading in such compounds could constitute a substantial percentage of the product by weight, as the asbestos served multiple functional roles: reinforcing the resin matrix, improving tensile and flexural strength, extending heat resistance beyond what the unfilled resin could achieve, and providing dimensional stability during thermal cycling.

Once fully cured, phenolic molding compounds encapsulate the fiber within a hardened resin matrix. However, the bonded state of fibers in a finished molded part does not eliminate exposure risk across the full product lifecycle. Asbestos fibers in such materials become releasable during mechanical processing, machining, finishing operations, and whenever the cured part is cut, drilled, ground, or abraded.

How Workers Were Exposed

Litigation records document that industrial workers encountered Reichhold 25310 (RCI 25310) and similar asbestos-filled phenolic compounds at multiple stages — from raw material handling through finished-part fabrication and downstream use:

  • Compound handling and hopper loading — transferring asbestos-filled phenolic compound from drums or bags into press hoppers; one of the highest-exposure tasks documented in phenolic molding operations
  • Compression and transfer press operation — hot molding releases compound dust when molds open between cycles
  • Tumbling, deflashing, and machining — finishing operations on cured phenolic parts release fiber from the matrix
  • Assembly and sub-assembly — fitting phenolic-molded components during switchgear and breaker build-up
  • Quality control and rework — disassembly during calibration and rebuild exposes workers to phenolic-part dust
  • Receiving, stockroom, and shipping — moving phenolic compound (drums, bags) and finished components

Documented Recipient Facilities

  • Square D Company — Cedar Rapids, Iowa (1955–1990 across all documented years per Reichhold answers to interrogatories)
  • Square D Company — Columbia, Missouri (1978+; the Columbia plant opened in 1978)
  • Square D Company — Lincoln, Nebraska (1971+; Square D’s third QO plant)
  • Possibly the Square D Peru, Indiana plant and other plants in Square D’s national network

Workers exposed to Reichhold 25310 (RCI 25310) at any documented recipient facility — or to similar asbestos-filled phenolic compounds at downstream end-user facilities — may have legal rights if they have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease. Asbestos-related diseases can develop silently for 20, 30, or even 40 years after initial exposure.

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