Asbestos cement (AC) roofing materials are common in many parts of the world, and particularly in the developing world. In the UK, these products were banned from use in 1999, but many homes still have AC roofs on them.

Asbestos cement products were extensively used for a number of different applications, including:

-Corrugated roofing sheets

-Flat roofing sheets

-Soffit boards

-Cladding panels – internal and external

-Water tanks – both above ground and underground

-Cement pipes, drainage channels, hoppers etc.

Asbestos cement products are made of cement with asbestos added to it. They were used extensively in the construction industry. Asbestos is added to the cement to reinforce it and to increase its resistance to fire and chemicals.

Asbestos cement was used in a wide range of applications including:

● water tanks

● pipes

● roofing sheets

● guttering

● soffits

● flue pipes

It should be noted that most asbestos cement products were produced as flat sheets of varying lengths and widths. This means that, unlike ‘asbestos insulation board’ (AIB), which is rigid and can be cut very easily with a sharp knife, asbestos cement sheets need to be cut by specialised machines or saws.

ACM’s were a popular building material between the 1930s and 1980s. It was used in the construction of roofing, wall cladding, flooring, pipes, gutters and downpipes. Asbestos cement is a mixture of asbestos fibres with cement.

The amount of asbestos in ACM’s varies from product to product. Although some ACM’s contain more than 20% asbestos by weight (or up to 30% asbestos by weight), most contain only 5-15%.

Asbestos cement has been used extensively in Australia since the late 1930s and early 1940s. Its popularity was due to its relatively low cost and its durability under a wide range of climatic conditions.

Although it is not possible to give an exact figure for the number of buildings containing asbestos cement products in Australia, it is likely that the majority of houses built between 1950 and 1980 contain some form of asbestos cement product, with approximately 10 per cent of all existing housing stock containing significant amounts of bonded asbestos cement sheeting. It is also likely that 50-60 percent of non-residential buildings built during this period contain some form of ACM sheeting; usually walls or roofs, but often storage sheds or garages as well.

Asbestos cement otherwise known as Fibro or AC, is one of the most common forms of asbestos used in buildings and homes. It has been widely used since the 1950s as a cheap building material because of its fire resistance, sound absorption, strength and low maintenance.

Asbestos cement products have been used extensively in roofing, wall cladding, guttering and downpipes, internal walls and ceiling linings. Asbestos cement is found in both flat and corrugated sheets and may be mixed with other materials such as concrete to form reinforcing rods in flooring.

Asbestos cement is a mixture of Portland cement and chrysotile asbestos. The asbestos is used as the reinforcing fibres, while the Portland cement makes up the bulk of the product. It was widely used in Australia for roofing, wall cladding and water pipe manufacture between the 1940s and 1980s. This type of asbestos cement can be easily identified by its grey or brown colour, and its translucency when held up to the light.

In addition to Australia, this material was produced in a wide range of countries around the world. In Europe it was known as eternit (or sometimes eternite) after its main manufacturer.

Asbestos cement has been banned from use in Australia since 31 December 2003.

Asbestos cement, also known as transite, is a mixture of asbestos fibres and Portland cement. It has been used in a number of applications from siding, roofing, floor tiles and pipes. Asbestos cement is common in homes built before the mid-1980’s. It is not friable, which means it does not break down easily and release fibres into the air. It is generally considered safe to remain in place as long as it is in good condition. If you are thinking about removing asbestos cement products on your property, always consult a professional first.

Removing Asbestos Cement

Asbestos cement can be removed by professionals without releasing airborne fibres if done properly. If you have asbestos cement products on your property that need to be removed, contact a licensed asbestos contractor to discuss your options. Do not try to remove them yourself – it will be difficult for you to do so safely and legally.

If you are removing other types of materials that contain asbestos (e.g., insulation or drywall) and asbestos cement becomes exposed during the removal process, consult a professional before deciding how to proceed. Do not attempt to repair or remove the exposed asbestos cement yourself unless it is clearly damaged or broken down.

YES, asbestos cement. I never said that.

Asbestos cement is a material that contains asbestos fibers and cement.

Asbestos cement is commonly used as a building material.

The asbestos fibers in asbestos cement make the material stronger and more resistant to heat and chemicals.

Asbestos cement is often used to make roofing, pipes, and siding for houses and other buildings.

In the past, people have also used asbestos cement to make:

* Fireplace mats * Electrical insulation * Floor tiles * Textured paints * Friction products, such as brakes and clutches