Heatproof mat

A heatproof 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.

A Bunsen burner placed atop a heatproof mat (ideally a larger mat should be used to protect the worksurface from the hot tripod legs)

A heatproof mat

Traditionally, such mats were made of asbestos. Fiberglass, calcium silicate or other substitutes are now used because of the toxicity of asbestos fibres.