Because ofExtreme Stainless Steel Heat Shield exhaust insulation’s efficiency cutting up to 70% of radiated heat from exhaust pipes, it’s important to leave a gap between the ends of the insulation during installation so the exhaust pipe has just enough uninsulated area to “breathe” and dissipate a small amount of heat so the pipe doesn’t exceed the maximum sustained temperature rating of the pipe’s steel alloy.
Not fully wrapping an exhaust pipe or header in Extreme Stainless Steel Heat Shield exhaust insulation, leaving a gap between the ends of material allows the pipe to “breathe” and dissipate a small amount of heat. While the insulation still significantly reduces the radiated heat coming from the exhaust pipe, the small amount the gap lets out helps to keep the exhaust pipe from getting too hot and surpassing its maximum sustained temperature rating.