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E‑glass fiber tape is widely used in electrical insulation systems where a combination of heat resistance, mechanical strength, dimensional stability and electrical performance is required. In cable manufacturing, fiberglass tape can be used as a wrapping, reinforcing or insulation layer around conductors, cable cores and other electrical components.
However, choosing the right fiberglass tape is not simply a matter of selecting a width.
Thickness, areal weight, tape construction, fiberglass yarn, width, surface condition and compatibility with downstream impregnation or resin systems can all influence the final performance.
For cable manufacturers and electrical insulation material buyers, specifications such as 0.13 mm thickness, 160 gsm and widths from 20 mm to 100 mm are common examples of the parameters that need to be evaluated before placing an order.
This guide explains how to select E‑glass fiber tape for cable insulation and other electrical applications.
Table of Contents
E‑glass fiber tape is a narrow woven fabric manufactured from continuous E‑glass fiber yarns.
Unlike ordinary fiberglass cloth supplied in wide rolls, fiberglass tape is produced in narrower widths that make it suitable for wrapping, winding, reinforcement and insulation applications.
20 mm
25 mm
30 mm
40 mm
45 mm
50 mm
60 mm
65 mm
70 mm
75 mm
80 mm
85 mm
90 mm
100 mm
Other widths can also be produced depending on the application and production requirements.
Because fiberglass itself offers good temperature resistance, electrical insulation properties and dimensional stability, E‑glass tape is widely used in electrical and industrial insulation systems.
Cable insulation systems can contain several different layers, each performing a specific function.
Depending on the cable design, fiberglass tape may be used for:
Cable core wrapping
Electrical insulation
Mechanical reinforcement
Binding and holding cable components together
Separation between different cable layers
Heat‑resistant wrapping
Resin or varnish impregnation
Flame‑resistant insulation systems
Fiberglass tape is particularly useful when the insulation system must withstand temperatures or mechanical conditions that conventional polymer tapes may not tolerate as effectively.
Glass fiber is an inorganic material and maintains its basic fiber structure at temperatures considerably higher than many commonly used organic textile materials.
This makes fiberglass tape suitable for electrical equipment and cables operating in elevated‑temperature environments.
The actual allowable operating temperature of the completed insulation system, however, depends not only on the fiberglass itself but also on coatings, binders, resins, varnishes and other materials used together with it.
E‑glass is widely used in electrical insulation applications because of its dielectric characteristics.
Fiberglass tape can therefore form part of insulation systems used in:
Electrical cables
Motors
Generators
Transformers
Electrical coils
Electrical machinery
High‑temperature wiring systems
It is important to understand that the final dielectric performance should be evaluated as part of the complete insulation system rather than from the fiberglass tape alone.
Glass fiber also provides relatively high tensile strength.
When wrapped around a cable core or electrical winding, fiberglass tape can help hold components in position and improve mechanical stability.
This becomes particularly useful during subsequent processing steps such as:
Winding
Impregnation
Drying
Curing
Cable extrusion
Installation
Depending on the construction, the tape can provide reinforcement while remaining thin and flexible enough for continuous wrapping.
When purchasing E‑glass fiber tape, buyers should normally specify more than simply the tape width.
Several parameters should be considered.
Thickness affects wrapping flexibility, insulation build‑up and the total diameter of the finished cable.
A specification such as:
0.13 mm fiberglass tape
may be appropriate for applications requiring a relatively thin insulation or reinforcement layer.
Easier wrapping around smaller diameters
Lower increase in finished cable diameter
Better conformity around curved surfaces
Ability to use multiple overlapping layers
However, the required thickness depends on the cable structure and performance requirements.
A thicker tape is not automatically better.
For many cable constructions, achieving the correct balance between mechanical reinforcement, flexibility and total insulation thickness is more important.
Areal weight is normally expressed in grams per square meter.
For example:
160 gsm fiberglass tape
means that one square meter of the fabric weighs approximately 160 grams.
GSM is closely related to the amount of glass fiber present in the fabric, although thickness, yarn construction and weaving structure also influence the final properties.
For electrical insulation applications, buyers may specify a minimum GSM requirement, such as:
Minimum 160 gsm
This helps ensure consistency in tape construction and glass fiber content.
However, GSM should not be evaluated independently.
Thicknesses
Yarn counts
Weave structures
Tensile properties
Surface characteristics
For this reason, technical evaluation should consider the complete specification.
Width is one of the most important purchasing parameters because fiberglass tape is normally applied by spiral wrapping or winding.
Cable outer diameter
Wrapping angle
Required overlap
Number of insulation layers
Production speed
Wrapping machine design
For example, a cable producer may require multiple widths such as:
Tape Width | Typical Purpose |
|---|---|
20–30 mm | Small‑diameter cables and components |
40–50 mm | General cable wrapping |
60–75 mm | Medium to larger cable constructions |
80–100 mm | Larger cable diameters or wider coverage |
These are general guidelines rather than fixed rules.
The correct width should always be matched to the cable structure and wrapping equipment.
Selecting tape width is closely connected to cable diameter.
For a small‑diameter cable, very wide tape can be difficult to wrap smoothly because the material must conform to a tight curvature.
Narrower tape generally follows smaller diameters more easily.
For larger cables, wider tape may improve wrapping efficiency by covering more surface area during each rotation.
Fiberglass tape is often spirally wrapped with part of each turn overlapping the previous turn.
For example, the manufacturer may design the wrapping process around:
Partial overlap
Half overlap
Edge‑to‑edge wrapping
Multiple insulation layers
Higher overlap increases material consumption but can improve coverage and reduce the possibility of gaps.
Therefore, buyers should calculate fiberglass tape consumption based on:
Cable diameter + tape width + wrapping angle + overlap ratio + total cable length.
This is more accurate than estimating tape requirements from cable length alone.
A specification around 0.13 mm thickness and 160 gsm can be used for certain cable wrapping and electrical insulation applications.
However, suitability depends on the complete insulation design.
Before confirming the specification, the cable manufacturer should consider:
The fiberglass itself has excellent thermal stability, but the entire insulation system may include organic materials such as:
Resin
Varnish
Coating
Adhesive
Polymer insulation
The temperature class should therefore be evaluated according to the finished insulation system.
If the tape mainly provides binding and positioning, a relatively lightweight construction may be sufficient.
If substantial reinforcement is required, tensile strength and fabric construction become more important.
If the tape forms part of an electrical barrier, dielectric properties should be evaluated together with other insulation layers.
Some electrical applications require fiberglass tape to absorb insulating resin or varnish.
In these cases, fabric openness, sizing and surface condition can affect impregnation behavior.
One advantage of E‑glass fiber tape is that similar base materials can be used in several electrical applications.
However, the required specification may differ.
For cables, fiberglass tape is commonly selected according to:
Large cable manufacturers may consume hundreds of thousands or even millions of meters of fiberglass tape.
In these applications, problems such as:
Uneven tape width
Loose winding
Damaged edges
Excessive yarn breakage
Inconsistent roll tension
Irregular roll length
can reduce production efficiency.
Stable tape construction and consistent winding quality help the material run more smoothly on continuous wrapping equipment.
For high‑volume projects, buyers should therefore evaluate both the technical properties of the fiberglass tape and its processing consistency.
To receive an accurate quotation, provide as much of the following information as possible:
For example:
E‑glass fiber tape
For example:
0.13 mm
For example:
Minimum 160 gsm
For example:
20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, 60 mm, 75 mm, 100 mm
Specify the preferred number of meters per roll if this is important for your production equipment.
Large‑volume cable projects can require substantial quantities.
For example:
50,000–100,000 meters per width
Clearly state whether the material will be used for:
Cable insulation
Cable wrapping
Motor winding
Transformer insulation
Coil wrapping
Electrical reinforcement
Also mention any requirements for:
Tensile strength
Resin compatibility
Temperature resistance
Packaging
Roll diameter
Core diameter
Certification
Testing
The more complete the inquiry, the easier it is to select the correct fiberglass tape.
Electrical insulation requirements vary significantly between manufacturers.
For this reason, fiberglass tape specifications often need to be adjusted according to the application rather than treated as a single standard product.
Jlon Composite works with customers on fiberglass materials for different industrial and electrical applications, including requirements involving different:
Tape widths
Thicknesses
Areal weights
Roll lengths
Fiberglass constructions
Packaging requirements
For high‑volume projects, specifications can be discussed according to the customer's production process and end‑use requirements.
The best fiberglass tape is not necessarily the thickest or heaviest product.
A suitable tape should match the complete cable insulation system.
For cable applications, buyers should focus on five main factors:
Thickness determines insulation build‑up and flexibility.
GSM reflects fabric weight and glass fiber content.
Width affects wrapping efficiency and conformity around the cable.
Fabric construction influences strength, flexibility and impregnation.
Processing consistency becomes especially important in continuous high‑volume cable production.
A specification such as 0.13 mm thickness, minimum 160 gsm and widths between 20 mm and 100 mm can therefore be a practical starting point, but final selection should always be based on the cable design and actual production requirements.
Jlon Composite supplies fiberglass materials for composite, industrial and electrical applications.
For customers looking for E‑glass fiber tape for cable insulation, motor winding, transformer insulation or other electrical wrapping applications, tape specifications can be matched according to the required thickness, GSM, width, roll length and end use.
If you are developing a new cable insulation system or looking for an alternative fiberglass tape supplier, send us your current specification or sample information.
Please include:
Thickness + GSM + width + roll length + quantity + application
Our team can evaluate the requirement and recommend a suitable fiberglass tape specification.
Contact Jlon Composite for E‑glass fiber tape samples, technical information and quotation.
