Interwoven from asbestos warp and weft yarns,It is suitable for lagging for boilers and pipe lines and also used as thermal insulating materials for factories,Building,Power stations,Generators and steamers.Loss on ignition is 32% max.It is available in width from 25 mm to 100 mm ane the thickness ranges from 3mm to 5mm.
Glass tape is asbestos-free AND takes more heat — see below
Please read this before ordering. Asbestos is a regulated carcinogen. Its use is banned or heavily restricted in many jurisdictions, and inhaling its fibres causes serious, irreversible lung disease. We supply asbestos tape only for legacy maintenance where it is specifically called for and lawful.
For asbestos tape, the case for switching is even stronger than for most asbestos products, because the alternative is not merely equal — it is substantially better. Asbestos tape is rated to around 325 °C. Glass tape handles around 550 °C. That is roughly 70% more temperature capability, from an asbestos-free product, in the same widths, at a similar price, doing exactly the same job.
If anyone has told you that you need asbestos tape because it withstands more heat than the modern alternatives, that is simply incorrect — and it is the opposite of the truth. There is no technical argument for asbestos tape. It is the lower-performing product.
Asbestos tape was traditionally used for lagging hot pipework, wrapping exhaust and steam lines, binding insulation, and electrical and heat-shielding work. Glass tape does all of that, better, and without exposing your maintenance staff to a carcinogen.
If you are removing old asbestos tape, that is the highest-risk task in its life cycle. Aged tape is friable and releases fibres when disturbed. Follow your local regulations, use proper respiratory protection, keep it damp, and dispose of it as regulated asbestos waste.
Specifications
Typical properties for asbestos tape. Note the temperature figure carefully — it is lower than the asbestos-free glass tape alternative, which is the key fact about this product.
Asbestos tape is woven from asbestos fibre into a flat tape. ASTM D315, the historical standard for woven asbestos tape, specifies a minimum fibre content of 75%.
Its temperature capability — around 325 °C — is a genuine surprise to people who assume asbestos is inherently a very-high-temperature material. It is not. Woven asbestos tape sits well below what modern woven E-glass tape achieves (~550 °C), because E-glass fibre simply has better thermal performance in this form.
Glass tape is manufactured the same way — woven fibre in the same tape widths — from E-glass instead of asbestos. It wraps the same, binds the same, and insulates electrically at least as well. It is a drop-in replacement that happens to also be the superior product.
Widths & Availability
Before ordering, please consider glass tape in the same width — it is asbestos-free, handles substantially more heat (~550°C vs ~325°C), and wraps identically.
Width
Typical Use
Asbestos-Free Equivalent (Better)
12 mm
Cable insulation, small-diameter wrapping
Glass Tape 12 mm (~550°C)
19 mm
Small pipes, electrical binding
Glass Tape 19 mm (~550°C)
25 mm
General purpose wrapping
Glass Tape 25 mm (~550°C)
50 mm
Pipe lagging, exhaust wrapping
Glass Tape 50 mm (~550°C)
75 mm
Larger pipework
Glass Tape 75 mm (~550°C)
100 mm
Large pipe and duct lagging
Glass Tape 100 mm (~550°C)
We will quote the glass tape equivalent alongside any asbestos tape enquiry — just ask. It is the same width, it wraps the same way, it takes more heat, and it carries no health or disposal burden.
Chemical Resistance
Asbestos fibre is chemically stable against most media but is attacked by strong acids. Glass tape has a comparable chemical profile, so there is no chemical argument for asbestos either.
Medium
Resistance
Notes
Hot Air & Flue Gases
Good
Within the ~325°C limit
Steam
Good
Suitable within temperature limit
Mineral Oils
Good
Generally resistant
Alkalis
Good
Resistant
Strong Acids
Poor
Attacks asbestos fibre
Water
Fair
Absorbs moisture; dries out
General guidance for the material family at normal industrial concentrations. See the full Chemical Compatibility Chart, and confirm your exact chemical, concentration and temperature with us before final selection.
Applications
Traditional heat-wrapping tape. Glass tape replaces it in every one of these applications, at a higher temperature rating.
Hot Pipe & Exhaust LaggingWrapping steam lines, exhaust pipes and hot pipework. Glass tape does this to 550°C — far beyond asbestos tape’s ~325°C ceiling.
Binding Thermal InsulationHolding lagging and insulation in place on pipes and vessels while cladding is fitted. Glass tape does this identically.
Electrical & Cable InsulationWrapping cables and coils in hot equipment. Glass tape is actually the better dielectric as well as the higher-temperature material.
Heat ShieldingProtecting hoses, cables and components near hot surfaces from radiant heat. Glass tape replaces it directly.
Legacy Equipment MaintenanceWhere old equipment was originally wrapped with asbestos tape. Even here, upgrading to glass tape is straightforward and gives you more temperature headroom, not less.
Industries
Why Asbestos Tape is specified in each of the industries we serve.
Legacy Industrial Maintenance
The only real reason anyone buys asbestos tape today is that they are maintaining old equipment that was originally wrapped with it, in a jurisdiction where its use is still permitted. We will supply it for that. But we would strongly encourage taking the opportunity to upgrade instead, and in the case of tape specifically the argument is unusually clear-cut: glass tape is not a compromise or a like-for-like substitute, it is the better product — roughly 70% more temperature capability (~550 °C versus ~325 °C), in the same widths, wrapping the same way, with no health risk to the person installing it and no regulated-waste burden when it eventually comes off. There is genuinely no technical case for staying with asbestos tape.
Power Plants & Process Industry
Lagging hot pipework, binding insulation and protecting cables near hot surfaces are all jobs asbestos tape was historically used for in boiler houses and process plants. It is worth being precise about the temperature, though, because it exposes the real problem with the material: asbestos tape tops out around 325 °C, which is below plenty of steam-side pipework in a typical plant. Glass tape reaches around 550 °C and comfortably covers duty that asbestos tape cannot. So in a power plant, choosing asbestos tape is not just a health decision — it is frequently an under-specification as well. If you have asbestos tape on lines running above 325 °C, it is the wrong material on technical grounds alone.
Safety & Removal Work
If you are stripping old asbestos tape off pipework, this is the highest-exposure task in the material’s entire life cycle, and it deserves to be treated that way. Aged tape becomes friable and sheds respirable fibres as soon as it is unwrapped, directly into the breathing zone of whoever is doing the work. Follow your local asbestos regulations — in many jurisdictions this work legally requires licensed personnel. Use proper respiratory protection rather than a nuisance dust mask, damp the tape down before disturbing it, never use power tools or wire brushes on it, bag everything as regulated asbestos waste, and do not sweep or use compressed air on the debris. Then re-lag with glass tape, so that the next person to work on that pipe is not exposed at all.
Asbestos Tape vs Glass Tape — The Case Is Clear
This is the whole argument. Glass tape is asbestos-free and handles substantially more heat. There is no column in which asbestos tape wins.
Property
Asbestos Tape
Glass Tape
Ceramic Fibre Tape
Max Temperature
~325°C
~550°C
~1260°C class
Contains Asbestos
Yes — carcinogen
No
No
Health Risk
Serious
Fibre irritation only
Fibre precautions needed
Disposal
Regulated hazardous waste
General waste
General waste
Electrical Insulation
Fair
Good
Good
Tensile Strength
Fair
High
Fair
Same Widths Available
—
Yes — drop-in
Yes
Recommendation
Do not specify
Use this
For >550°C
Advantages & Limitations
Advantages
Non-combustible.
Chemically stable against most media (except strong acids).
Familiar in legacy installations, so a like-for-like replacement is straightforward where specified.
Stated honestly: glass tape shares every one of these advantages, handles substantially more heat, has better tensile strength and better electrical insulation, and carries no health risk. There is no advantage that is unique to asbestos tape.
Limitations
Asbestos is a regulated carcinogen. Inhaling its fibres causes serious, irreversible lung disease. Banned or heavily restricted in many jurisdictions.
Lower temperature rating than the asbestos-free alternative. ~325°C, versus ~550°C for glass tape. It is the weaker product on heat.
Removing old asbestos tape is high-risk — aged material is friable and releases fibres when unwrapped. Licensed personnel may be legally required.
Must be disposed of as regulated asbestos waste — never in general waste.
Only fair tensile strength and only fair electrical insulation — glass tape is better at both.
Attacked by strong acids.
There is no technical case for choosing it over glass tape.
Installation, Storage & Maintenance
Installation
Wear proper respiratory protection, gloves and eye protection. Damp the tape down before cutting to suppress fibre release. Do not use power tools or wire brushes on it. Wrap with a 50% overlap and secure the end with a stainless steel tie. Clean up debris with a damp cloth — never sweep, brush or use compressed air, all of which make fibres airborne — and bag all waste as regulated asbestos waste. Before you begin: fit glass tape instead. It installs identically, takes more heat, and eliminates every one of these precautions.
Storage
Keep in sealed, clearly labelled packaging, separated from general stores, with restricted access, and only where local regulations permit. Do not store it loose or where it can be abraded or disturbed and shed fibres. Maintain records as your local regulations require.
Maintenance
Removal is the highest-exposure task — treat it accordingly. Aged asbestos tape is friable and sheds respirable fibres the moment it is unwrapped. Follow your local asbestos regulations (which may require licensed personnel), use proper respiratory protection, damp the material down first, never use power tools or brushes, and bag everything as regulated asbestos waste. Re-lag with glass tape so nobody has to do this again on that pipe.
Buying Guide
What to tell us so we quote the right grade first time.
First: you almost certainly want glass tape instead.Glass tape is asbestos-free AND handles ~550°C versus asbestos tape’s ~325°C. Same widths, same wrapping, better product, no health burden. Ask us to quote it.
What is the actual temperature? Important, because asbestos tape stops at ~325°C. If your line runs hotter than that, asbestos tape is technically the wrong material and glass tape is the right one regardless of the health question.
What width do you need? 12–19 mm for cables and small pipes; 25 mm general purpose; 50–100 mm for lagging larger pipework. Glass tape comes in exactly the same widths.
Is asbestos lawful for this use in your jurisdiction? Your responsibility to confirm. It is banned or restricted in many places. We will not supply it where we understand it to be prohibited.
Do you have the PPE and a compliant disposal route? Respiratory protection, gloves, eye protection and a regulated asbestos waste route are all required. If not, that is a decisive reason to use glass tape.
Are you removing existing asbestos tape? Tell us. This is the highest-risk task, and local regulations may require licensed personnel. We can supply the glass tape to re-lag with.
Standards & Compliance
SAFETY: Asbestos is a regulated carcinogen. Supply and use are banned or heavily restricted in many jurisdictions. It is the buyer’s responsibility to confirm that its use is lawful for their application and location.
ASTM D315 — the historical standard for woven asbestos tape, specifying a minimum 75% fibre content.
PPE required: proper respiratory protection (not a nuisance dust mask), gloves and eye protection when handling, cutting or removing.
Disposal: must be handled as regulated asbestos waste under local regulations. Never place in general waste.
Removal of existing asbestos may legally require licensed personnel — check before starting work.
Recommended asbestos-free alternative: Glass Tape (~550°C) — a higher-performing, drop-in replacement. We will quote it alongside any asbestos enquiry.
No — and unusually, we can say that without any qualification. Glass tape is asbestos-free and handles substantially more heat (~550°C vs ~325°C), in the same widths, at similar cost. There is no technical case for asbestos tape.
Does asbestos tape take more heat than glass tape?
No — the opposite. Asbestos tape is rated to around 325°C. Glass tape handles around 550°C. Glass tape is roughly 70% better on temperature. The belief that asbestos means more heat is simply wrong here.
Is asbestos dangerous?
Yes. It is a regulated carcinogen. Inhaling its fibres causes serious, irreversible lung disease. Its use is banned or heavily restricted in many jurisdictions.
What is the asbestos-free alternative?
Glass Tape — same widths (12–100 mm), wraps identically, ~550°C rating, better tensile strength, better electrical insulation, no health or disposal burden.
Is the asbestos-free version worse in any way?
No. It is better in every measurable respect: higher temperature, higher tensile strength, better dielectric, no health risk, no regulated disposal. That is an unusual thing to be able to say, but it is true here.
What temperature can asbestos tape handle?
Around 325°C. That is lower than many people assume, and lower than the glass tape alternative. If your pipework runs above 325°C, asbestos tape is under-specified.
What PPE do I need?
Proper respiratory protection (not a nuisance dust mask), gloves and eye protection. Damp the material down before cutting or disturbing it.
How do I dispose of asbestos tape?
As regulated asbestos waste, per your local regulations. Never in general waste.
I need to strip old asbestos tape off a pipe. What should I know?
This is the highest-risk task in the material’s life cycle. Aged tape is friable and sheds fibres the moment it is unwrapped. Local regulations may require licensed personnel. Use proper respiratory protection, damp it down, no power tools or brushes, bag it as regulated waste — and re-lag with glass tape.
Can I sweep up the debris?
No. Sweeping, brushing and compressed air all put fibres into the air. Use a damp cloth and bag everything as regulated asbestos waste.
Is asbestos legal where I am?
You must confirm this — it is banned or restricted in many jurisdictions and the rules vary by country. We will not supply it where we understand its use to be prohibited.
Why do you still supply it?
For legacy maintenance where it is specifically called for and lawful. But we will always quote glass tape alongside, and for this product in particular we think there is no good reason to choose asbestos.
What is ASTM D315?
The historical standard for woven asbestos tape. It specifies a minimum asbestos fibre content of 75%.
Does asbestos tape seal pressure?
No. It is a heat barrier and binding tape, not a sealing product. For sealing a threaded pipe joint you need PTFE Thread Seal Tape, which is a completely different product.
Does it resist chemicals?
It is stable against most media but attacked by strong acids. Glass tape has a comparable chemical profile, so there is no chemical argument for asbestos either.
What do I use above 550°C?
Ceramic fibre tape. Neither asbestos tape (~325°C) nor glass tape (~550°C) will survive above that.
Is it a good electrical insulator?
Only fair. Glass tape is actually the better dielectric — another respect in which the asbestos-free product wins.
How should I store it?
Sealed, clearly labelled, separated from general stores, restricted access, and only where regulations permit. Never loose, where it can be disturbed and shed fibres.
Can you supply glass tape instead?
Yes, and we would much rather. Tell us the width and temperature and we will quote it — same size, more heat capability, no health burden.
What is the single most important thing on this page?
That asbestos tape is the lower-performing product. Glass tape takes more heat, is stronger, insulates better electrically, and will not give anyone lung disease. There is no reason to choose asbestos tape.
Need a quote or a spec check?
Send us your operating conditions and we will confirm the right grade for the job.
