Tapes, Ropes, Packings, Cords & Sleeves

The different fibres used to produce wide woven fabrics, can also be used to produce other textile products, each specifically designed and manufactured with particular applications in mind, these include:

• High temperature sealing (door seals)
• Gaskets
• Insulation wraps and lagging
• Roller coverings
• Draw cord
• High temperature cable protection

Most of these applications involve high temperatures, 100°c up to 1,250°c.

There is a broad range of standard specifications available, and numerous additional options and variations can be found. These include choices like ceramic, wire reinforced, dip treated, or polymer coated materials. For instance, you can find vermiculite webbing tape designed for exhaust wraps or silicone coated sleeves that offer waterproofing properties.

Aramid Webbing

Temperature resistance up to 300°c

The two main types of aramid are ‘Para-Aramid’ and ‘Meta-Aramid’, these fibres are better known by several different brand names.

Generic fibre name	Brand name	Brand name
Para-Aramid	Kevlar®	Twaron®
Meta-Aramid	Nomex®	Conex®

Para-aramid webbing tapes are produced more frequently than meta-aramid ones. Similar to glass fibre, aramid can be woven into wider textiles, but it can also be woven into narrower tapes, primarily in two forms: webbing and ladder tape.

The main applications for these woven aramid tapes are pipe lagging, exhaust wrapping, stress relieving, gasket, and sealing – but also some wicking and high strength applications such as within belting applications.

It is also possible to coat and treat these tapes with many of the same performance enhancing treatments which can be applied to the aramid fabrics.

Silica Fibre Webbing Tapes

1000°c continuous temperature resistance

Tapes are woven from continuous filament and heavier textured silica fibre yarns, which gives them standard thicknesses ranging from 0.5mm to 5mm. However, it’s also possible to create tapes that are significantly thicker.

Silica webbing tapes are typically produced in a similar manner to fabrics, but they come in narrower widths. On the other hand, ladder tapes have centrally missing warp yarns, leaving a ‘ladder’ running throughout the coil.

THS stock only silica fibre tapes manufactured from 94-96%+ silica content.

These tapes are particularly handy for wrapping pipes or exhaust systems that have protrusions, bolts, and other attachments. These woven silica tapes are primarily used for high-temperature pipe insulation, exhaust wrapping, stress relief, and sealing applications where temperatures surpass the continuous usage limit of silica fibres, which is 1000°C.

Silica Sleeves

Silica fibre sleeves and silica sleeving are manufactured from 94-96%+ silica content yarns, without the need for a join. They can be produced as either a woven or knitted construction.

High temperature silica sleeves offer temperature resistance up to 1000°C.

Woven Glass Fibre Tape

High temperature woven glass tape 550’c temperature resistance

As glass fibre can be woven into wider textiles, but it can also be made into narrower strips, primarily in two forms: webbing and ladder tape.

Tapes are woven from heavier, texturised glass fibre yarns, resulting in thicknesses from 2mm to 5mm as standard. However, it is also possible to weave tapes up to 15 or 20mm thick.

Webbing tapes are manufactured generally in the same way as the fabrics, just in narrower widths. Whereas, ladder tapes have centrally missing warp yarns, leaving a ‘ladder’ running throughout the coil.

The main applications for these woven glass tapes are pipe lagging, exhaust wrapping, stress relieving, and gasketing and sealing.

THS stock only glass fibre tapes manufactured from E-Glass yarns. A-Glass, S-Glass and C-Glass could be produced on request.

Some standard stock products are listed below:

Thickness (mm)	Widths (mm)	Coil Length	Ladder Weave	Webbing Weave
2	20	30mtr	Plain	Plain
2	30	30mtr	Plain	Plain
2	40	30mtr	Plain	Plain
2	50	30mtr	Plain	Plain
3	20	30mtr	Plain	Plain/Twill
3	25	30mtr	Plain	Plain/Twill
3	30	30mtr	Plain	Plain/Twill
3	40	30mtr	Plain	Plain/Twill
3	50	30mtr	Plain	Plain/Twill
3	60	30mtr	Plain	Plain/Twill
3	65	30mtr	Plain	Plain/Twill
3	75	30mtr	Plain	Plain/Twill
3	100	30mtr	Plain	Plain/Twill
3	150	30mtr	Plain	Plain/Twill
3	200	30mtr	Plain	Plain/Twill
5	20	30mtr	Plain	Plain/Twill
5	25	30mtr	Plain	Plain/Twill
5	30	30mtr	Plain	Plain/Twill
5	40	30mtr	Plain	Plain/Twill
5	50	30mtr	Plain	Plain/Twill
5	75	30mtr	Plain	Plain/Twill
5	100	30mtr	Plain	Plain/Twill

Glass Fibre Cords

Knitted glass fibre packings are manufactured in 2 basic styles with core, and without core. Knitted cords that have a core have drastically reduced elasticity, which makes them more suitable for use as draw cords, or ties.

Manufactured from high quality textured 9micron E-glass yarns, this product is highly versatile and resilient. The fibres will not rot and are resistant to oils, solvents and most chemicals.

E-glass Fibre Rope Packing

General applications for cords are for ties on thermal insulation jackets or valve covers and are manufactured from the same material as some of the fabrics used, E-glass. These cords are able to withstand that same continuous running temperature.

Standard available diameters are 4mm and 6mm, offered in both core and non-core options, though additional diameters might also be accessible. General cord lengths are 100mtr coils.

Knitted cords can be made with various finishes, similar to many fabrics, to enhance their properties. Options include treatments like graphite, PTFE, and silicone dips. If you have any specific requirements, please contact us.

Glass Fibre Sleeves

Glass fibre sleeves are made from E-glass yarns and can be created without the need for a join, available in either woven or knitted designs.

Woven sleeves are typically made from continuous filament yarns, which create a smooth surface. While they offer minimal stretch or elasticity, they effectively retain the shape of their final diameter.

Knitted sleeves are typically made from textured yarns that create a coarser surface, offering better insulation because of their added thickness. They have a greater elasticity, allowing them to be compressed or stretched, and their diameter is produced to the relaxed state.

Glass sleeves offer temperature resistance up to 550°C.

Braided Glass Packing

Braided glass fibre packings can be manufactured in 2 basic forms, round and square (rectangular is also possible). They are produced by the braiding of glass yarn onto a glass fibre core, often a braid itself, which is often braided as well. As a result, many of these items can be referred to as braid on braid or plaited packing. Glass fibre packings are solid, strong and flexible, with little compression, which makes them perfect for sealing boiler doors, oven doors, and furnace doors.

Packings can be manufactured from 3mm to 100mm diameter/width.

Braided packings can be treated with graphite, PTFE, or silicone rubber upon request.

Square and round packings can also be produced from Silica, ceramic and aramid fibres.

Glass Fibre Lagging Rope

Glass Fibre Lagging Rope is a flexible, continuous strand made of glass fibres, wrapped in a delicate, loose glass braid. This design allows it to be easily compressed and stored in smaller sizes. Soft glass rope lagging is manufactured from a highly compressible glass fibre core covered in a glass fibre over braid to encapsulate the fibres.

Soft glass rope is known for its outstanding insulation capabilities and is made entirely from glass fibres, allowing it to withstand continuous temperatures of up to 550°C. It is commonly used for applications such as pipe and exhaust lagging, creating seals and gaskets, as well as providing insulation for boilers and heaters.

Glass rope lagging is produced and stocked from 10mm diameter to 50mm diameter.

The term “glass rope” is frequently asked about and can refer to various round profile glass fibre products. The soft rope lagging is the most compressible choice and is often chosen when some flexibility and insulation are needed. There are also tougher, incompressible options available, such as round plaited glass fibre packings, and smaller knitted versions are often used as high-temperature draw cords.

P-Section & Tadpole Tapes

Manufactured to a specific ‘tail’ length and ‘bulb’ diameter, the encapsulating fabric wraps around the bulb, generally a packing or rope, to form a ‘P’ shape.

The core of a P-section bulb or tadpole tape can be made from a soft glass rope lagging,  hard glass packing, or other materials including steel mesh and silicone sponge sections.

P-section and Tadpole tapes are characterised by their excellent insulation properties, generally due to the 100% glass fibre construction. This means it can be used up to 550°C continuously.

Common uses encompass sealing for boiler doors, furnace doors, and flanges and gaskets.

P-section and Tadpole tapes are generally made-to-order to suit bespoke requirements.

Polyester & Nylon Draw Cords

Polyester or nylon draw cords are manufactured through multi-filament yarns or spun yarns, which produce a continuous length of cord of 8-16 plait construction.

Cords are commonly used for securing thermal insulation jackets or valve covers. Made from nylon or polyester, they offer excellent water resistance, high strength, and strong chemical resistance.

Standard available diameters are 4mm and 6mm, offered in both nylon and polyester. Additionally, there are some options in polypropylene, along with a variety of other diameters that may be accessible.General cord lengths are 100-200mtr coils.

Knitted cords can also be produced with different colours on request, please contact us if you have a specific requirement.