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’ (Kevlar® and Twaron®) and ‘Meta-Aramid’ (Nomex® and 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 only stock silica fibre tapes manufactured from 94-96%+ silica content.

These woven silica tapes are ideal for high-temperature insulation, especially on pipes or exhausts with bolts or protrusions. They’re used for 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.

Glass fibre can be woven into narrow tapes, mainly in two forms: webbing and ladder. Made from heavier, texturised glass fibre yarns, standard thickness ranges from 2mm to 5mm, with custom options up to 20mm. Common uses include pipe lagging, exhaust wrapping, stress relief, and sealing. A-, S-, and C-glass options are available on request.

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 soft, compressible rope made from glass fibres with a braided outer layer. It offers excellent insulation up to 550°C and is ideal for pipe and exhaust lagging, seals, gaskets, and insulating boilers or heaters.

Available in 10mm to 50mm diameters, it’s the most flexible option among round glass fibre products. Tougher, less compressible types like plaited or knitted versions are also used for specific high-temp needs.

P-Section & Tadpole Tapes

P-section or Tadpole tapes are made to custom ‘tail’ lengths and ‘bulb’ diameters, forming a ‘P’ shape with a fabric-wrapped core. The bulb can be soft glass rope, hard packing, steel mesh, or silicone sponge. 

Made mostly from glass fibre, they insulate up to 550°C and are commonly used for sealing boiler and furnace doors, flanges, and gaskets.

Polyester & Nylon Draw Cords

Polyester and nylon draw cords are made from multi-filament or spun yarns in 8–16 plait constructions. Commonly used to secure insulation jackets or valve covers, they offer high strength, water, and chemical resistance. 

Standard sizes are 4mm and 6mm in 100–200m coils, with options in polypropylene and other diameters. Custom colours and knitted cords are available on request.