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Asbestos in WW2 Firefighter helmets ?
I got this question via e-mail , something I never even though about myself. Anyone any idea if asbestos was used in components of German WW2 firefighter helmets ?
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Quote from schwerpunkt73 on December 18, 2019, 8:53 pmI got this question via e-mail , something I never even though about myself. Anyone any idea if asbestos was used in components of German WW2 firefighter helmets ?
never thought myself Frank and i think no one author in german helmets never raised this issue.
not sure however. wondering.. would it have made sense ? ...unless a quantity of asbestos powder was mixed into the alloy created for the shell (the main part)
a) whether only the combo was made mixing asbestos (and aluminium), would it have alone protected the fireman?
b) being asbestos a fiber i have never heard of a tanning process which would have allowed the powder/fiber to be absorbed by the leather ( hence why synthetic fabrics were made for that purpose ) and as far as i know the rear flap was only made with a thicker leather.
I don't think so.
I don't think it's possible to mix asbestos with any kind of metal?
If it is not in the steel or the neck flap I guess asbestos does not make sense in any other components.
I was thinking of the head pads but that also does not make sense I guess.
Quote from schwerpunkt73 on December 19, 2019, 9:14 pmIf it is not in the steel or the neck flap I guess asbestos does not make sense in any other components.
I was thinking of the head pads but that also does not make sense I guess.
exactly. i concur
I have heard it discussed the British "Tommy" helmet used asbestos in the dome pad. Whether or not a threat/issue to one's health I don't know. Asbestos, if left intact & undisturbed poses no problems.
D.
In Australia a lot of trains used brake pads that were composed of steel and asbestos. Trains known as Red Hens used a combination 50/50 % case iron and steel. So I guess theoretically it could have been used and would make sense especially in a fire fighting helmet. It has also been said that some Imperial German gas masks used asbestos in part of the filter however from the drawings I have seen and from what I have read this was not the case at least where the M17 is concerned. Andy
Sorry, that should read 50/50 cast iron and asbestos!
A
Ok so we have conflicting information it seems.
Quote from andym35 on December 21, 2019, 2:26 amIn Australia a lot of trains used brake pads that were composed of steel and asbestos. Trains known as Red Hens used a combination 50/50 % case iron and steel. So I guess theoretically it could have been used and would make sense especially in a fire fighting helmet. It has also been said that some Imperial German gas masks used asbestos in part of the filter however from the drawings I have seen and from what I have read this was not the case at least where the M17 is concerned. Andy
Are you DownUnder mate?
wheresabouts? I’m in Sydney about 5km from Bushfires 🔥
Michael