What Is Cloth Tape? Fleece and Non-Fleece Types, Selection Criteria
Cloth tape is an adhesive wrapping tape with a woven fabric or fleece carrier; it holds cable bundles together, protects against abrasion and reduces rattling.
Cloth tape is a flexible wrapping tape with adhesive coated on a woven fabric or fleece carrier, used to wrap cable bundles. In vehicle, machine and panel wiring it holds the bundle together, protects cables against abrasion and reduces rattling caused by vibration. Cloth tape is not an electrical insulating tape; it is not used to insulate conductor joints.
Types of cloth tape
| Type | Construction | Chosen for |
|---|---|---|
| Non-fleece (woven) cloth tape | Woven fabric carrier | Wrapping the bundle tightly and thinly, abrasion protection on rubbing surfaces |
| Fleece cloth tape | Carrier with a soft fleece surface | Reducing rattling and noise caused by the bundle hitting its surroundings |
Fleece tape damps noise but is not as abrasion-resistant as woven tape. Where cables rub against an edge or a moving part, choose non-fleece tape.
Selection criteria
- Width: 9 mm suits thin bundles and branch points, 19 mm or 25 mm general bundle wrapping, and 50 mm wrapping thick bundles in fewer turns. Narrow tape wraps around bends without wrinkling.
- Construction: Choose fleece tape if noise damping is the priority, non-fleece tape if abrasion resistance and a thin wrap are.
- Roll length: The catalog has 15 m and 25 m rolls; for jobs with a lot of wrapping, a 25 m roll means fewer roll changes.
- Ambient temperature: For bundles that pass through hot areas such as an engine compartment, check the tape's temperature class in the manufacturer's datasheet.
- Color: Color does not change what the tape does; it is a matter of appearance and marking. The catalog has black and white tape.
Common mistakes
- Using cloth tape to insulate joints: The fabric carrier does not insulate. Insulate joints with insulating tape.
- Expecting a seal on a joint exposed to moisture: Cloth tape does not form a waterproof seal; joints exposed to moisture need self-fusing tape.
- Wrapping without overlap: Each turn must overlap the previous one; with gaps, cables are left exposed and the bundle comes apart.
- Wrapping a dusty or oily bundle: The adhesive does not hold and the tape end lifts over time.
Cloth tapes in the catalog
The Cloth Tapes category has 7 active products:
| Brand | Color | Construction | Width x length | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coroplast | Black | Fleece | 19 mm x 15 m | 1 |
| Coroplast | Black | Non-fleece | 9 mm x 15 m, 19 mm x 15 m, 19 mm x 25 m, 50 mm x 25 m | 4 |
| KSN | White | Not stated in the product name | 19 mm x 25 m, 25 mm x 25 m | 2 |
The KSN tapes are made in Türkiye and sold on quotation. Insulating, self-fusing and double-sided tapes are listed under tapes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between fleece and non-fleece cloth tape?
The soft fleece surface of fleece tape reduces the noise caused by the bundle hitting its surroundings under vibration. Non-fleece woven tape wraps thinner and is more resistant to abrasion.
Can cloth tape replace insulating tape?
No. Cloth tape is for wrapping and protecting the bundle; it does not provide electrical insulation. Conductor joints are insulated with insulating tape.
Which width should I choose for a cable bundle?
19 mm is common for general wrapping. 9 mm speeds up work on thin bundles and branches, 50 mm on thick bundles.
Is cloth tape waterproof?
No. The fabric carrier does not provide a seal. Joints exposed to moisture are closed with self-fusing tape.