Parker Hannifin Corporation, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of motion and control technologies — hydraulic fittings, pneumatic components, fluid connectors, and motion control systems. In Navy service, Parker fluid system components appeared in steering gear hydraulic systems, weapons handling hydraulic systems, aviation fuel systems, and auxiliary system pneumatic and hydraulic circuits throughout the Cold War surface ship and submarine fleet.

Asbestos in Parker Fluid System Components

Parker’s fluid system components used asbestos-containing sealing materials in the era before synthetic alternatives were fully established:

  • Hydraulic fitting gaskets — high-pressure hydraulic fittings in steering gear, weapons system, and aircraft handling system service used asbestos-containing face seal gaskets and O-ring backup rings in higher-temperature hydraulic applications before the industry transition to synthetic sealing compounds
  • Pneumatic component seals — Parker pneumatic components in compressed air and nitrogen system service used asbestos-containing packing in control valve and actuator designs of the era
  • Fluid system hose fittings — hydraulic hose fittings in high-pressure service applications used asbestos-containing sealing materials at fitting faces in some construction periods

Parker fluid system components appeared in hydraulically-powered equipment throughout the surface ship and submarine inventory:

  • Steering gear hydraulic systems — the hydraulic steering gear driving the rudder and bow thrusters on surface ships used high-pressure hydraulic components with Parker fittings and associated sealing materials in the hydraulic circuit
  • Aircraft handling systems — catapult hydraulic systems, aircraft elevator hydraulic systems, and deck handling equipment on aircraft carriers used Parker hydraulic components in the high-pressure hydraulic circuits driving these systems
  • Weapons system hydraulics — gun mount training and elevation hydraulics, missile launcher hydraulics, and torpedo tube operating mechanisms used Parker hydraulic fittings and components in their hydraulic supply circuits
  • Submarine hydraulic systems — diving plane and rudder hydraulic systems, torpedo tube operating systems, and auxiliary system hydraulics on submarines used Parker fluid system components throughout the submarine fleet

Maintenance and Repair Exposure

Hull Technicians, Machinist’s Mates, and systems-specific ratings performed maintenance on hydraulic systems containing Parker components — including fitting replacement, hose replacement, and system flushing operations that involved disturbing sealing materials in hydraulic circuits.

VA Claims

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure from fluid system maintenance in Navy service. Engineering and hull ratings who performed hydraulic system maintenance involving Parker and other fluid system components with asbestos-containing gaskets or packing and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.