Heatproof mat

A Bunsen burner placed atop a heatproof mat
A heatproof mat
An asbestos heatproof mat over a Teclu burner

A heatproof mat, also known as wire gauze or a gauze mat, is a piece of apparatus commonly used in tabletop lab experiments that involve moderate temperatures (for example, when a Bunsen burner is being used) to prevent damage to a work surface.[1] They may also be used for domestic equipment, such as hot plates,[2] hair stylers,[3] hair straighteners[4] or other hot objects.

Traditionally, such mats were made of asbestos, often reinforced with a metal mesh, but fiberglass or other substitutes are now used because of the toxicity of asbestos fibres.

  1. ^ Walker, Pam; Wood, Elaine (2010). Computer Science Experiments. Infobase Publishing. pp. xix. ISBN 978-1-4381-2909-9.
  2. ^ Magazines, Hearst (1909). Popular Mechanics. Hearst Magazines. p. 114.
  3. ^ Fiona McKim (2023-02-12). "Babyliss Wave Secret Air review: "literally anyone could curl their hair with this"". Woman and Home Magazine. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
  4. ^ "Dyson Airstrait review: straighter hair with the power of air". Yahoo News. 2024-04-12. Retrieved 2024-06-08.