Description
This .5mm thick twill weave non-raveling stainless steel lathe tape is ideal for reusable joint sleeves high temperature packing, fixturing, or lathe tape. It is ready to use having been specially processed and prepared for the glass worker. Made of pure stainless steel it is reusable many times and will last for years.
It is an ideal replacement for graphite paper joint sleeves. To use as a joint sleeve cut a single thickness wrap to length using sheet metal shears (it’s metal after all) fitting it to the joint with the cut ends butted against each other. (no overlap) Insert the two joints together with a slight twisting motion for a very strong grip that will not loosen during use even with high heat or gentle tugging. When the seal is finished remove the joint sleeve and tuck it inside the joint holder for many many more uses.
If used as a joint sleeve it will protect the ground glass surface from glazing due to excess heat exposure by conducting heat away. You will find you can work very close to a joint without burning it if the stainless joint sleeve has been properly inserted.
It makes an ideal replacement packing material instead of single use cardboard sleeve roll ups, or fiberglass wrap bundles for holding objects prior to sealing. It easily tolerates molten glass working temps without outgassing and leaves no residue when removed. It grips the glass very well without loosening, compressing, or taking a set even under high heat. It tolerates far more heat than kevlar, fiberglass of any kind, or even brass shims. For use as packing on a holder when sealing larger flanges or tubing sections, load the flange somewhat loosely onto the holder as the stainless fabric grips tighter as it gets hotter. Packed too tightly when cold may make it difficult to remove after the sealing operation is complete.
If need be you can leave the stainless fabric joint sleeve or packing in place during an annealing cycle. When you are finished assembling your work simply transfer your still hot project directly into the oven with the holders and joint sleeves or packing still in place. No more need to pull packing out of a hot piece of glass to get it into the oven! When the annealing cycle is complete and the oven is cool, remove the undamaged joint sleeve or packing for use another day.
With appropriate cleaning and prep, this material can be silver soldered, brazed, or spot welded. Soft (low temp plumbing) solder is not recommended as it will easily melt under glass working temps. Adhesives of any kind are not recommended as all adhesives tested fail or outgas long before this material reaches it’s maximum working temp. If need be, it can be held in place using thin (.010″-.015″ dia) brass or stainless steel wire wrapped around it, twisted tight, ends cut short and tucked down against the fabric. It can be cut to length and trimmed to different widths or odd shapes without unraveling using good quality sheet metal shears (tin snips).
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