Boeing BMS 5-157 Tape Guide
Boeing BMS 5-157 Insulation Cover Splicing Tape — Type, Class & Grade Explained
How to read a BMS 5-157 callout on your drawing, what the Type / Class / Grade / Composition codes mean, and which E&H tape matches each specification.
Boeing Material Specification BMS 5-157 covers pressure-sensitive insulation blanket cover splicing tapes used in aircraft thermal/acoustic insulation systems. A single drawing callout like "BMS 5-157 Ty I, Cl.3, Gr.E, Comp MPEEK" actually encodes four separate requirements — and getting any one of them wrong means the wrong tape on the aircraft. This guide breaks down each part of the callout in plain English, then maps it to the exact E&H product that meets it.
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Technical Data Sheets →What the BMS 5-157 callout codes mean
A complete BMS 5-157 callout has four parts. Each describes a different property of the tape. Here is what each one controls:
Type I is the pressure-sensitive splicing tape form covered here. It defines the basic product family — a film carrier with a fire-retardant pressure-sensitive adhesive and a visual scrim.
Class reflects the carrier film and temperature/performance tier. Class 1 covers the PVF (Tedlar) films; Class 2 and 3 cover the higher-performance PEEK films used where tighter flammability and thermal performance are required.
Grade sets the flammability/performance level. Grade A is the baseline; Grade C and Grade E represent progressively tighter requirements. Grade E is the most demanding and is met only by the highest-spec PEEK tape.
Composition names the film: PVF (white Tedlar), MPVF (metalized Tedlar), or MPEEK (metalized PEEK). This is the single most important code for matching a physical product.
Note: the same physical tape often qualifies across a range of Class and Grade values. For example, a metalized PEEK tape may be approved for Class 2 or 3 and Grade A, C, or E simultaneously — so one product can satisfy several different drawing callouts.
Decode your drawing callout
Match the composition and grade on your drawing to the E&H product below. When a drawing calls out a Class or Grade that a product covers as part of its approved range, that product is compliant.
| If your drawing calls out… | Composition | You need |
|---|---|---|
| Ty I, Cl.1, Gr.A — MPVF | Metalized Tedlar (gray) | E&H 743-MT |
| Ty I, Cl.1, Gr.A — PVF | White Tedlar (non-metalized) | E&H 743-T |
| Ty I, Cl.2 or 3, Gr.A or C — MPEEK | Metalized PEEK (gray) | E&H 753-MP |
| Ty I, Cl.2 or 3, Gr.A, C or E — MPEEK | Metalized PEEK (gray) | E&H 753-MPE |
The Grade E rule of thumb: if — and only if — your callout requires Grade E, you must use 753-MPE. It is the only E&H tape that adds Grade E to its BMS 5-157 approval. For Grade A or C in PEEK, either 753-MP or 753-MPE will satisfy the requirement.
Side-by-side: the four BMS 5-157 E&H tapes
| Specification | 743-MT | 743-T | 753-MP | 753-MPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Composition | MPVF | PVF | MPEEK | MPEEK |
| Film / Color | Met. Tedlar, gray | White Tedlar | Met. PEEK, gray | Met. PEEK, gray |
| BMS 5-157 Class | Class 1 | Class 1 | Class 2 or 3 | Class 2 or 3 |
| BMS 5-157 Grade | Grade A | Grade A | Grade A or C | Grade A, C or E |
| Weight (oz/sq yd) | 3.0 max | 3.0 max | 1.9 ±0.3 | 1.85 ±0.10 |
| Burn length (12-sec) | 1.9" max | 2.4" max | 1.4" avg | 1.2" avg |
| Tensile (PSTC-31) | 10.3 lb/in | 10.3 lb/in | 10.3 lb/in | 10.3 lb/in |
| Peel, RT (PSTC-1) | 3.2 lb/in | 3.6 lb/in | 3.8 lb/in | 4.1 lb/in |
| Other approvals | Gulfstream GAT100FR1 | Gulfstream GAT100FR2 | — | — |
| Shelf life | 18 mo min | 18 mo min | 18 mo min | 18 mo min |
All four also pass FAR 25.853(a)(b), FAR 25.856(a) Critical Radiant Heat Panel, and Boeing BSS-7230 12-second vertical burn. The PEEK tapes (753-MP, 753-MPE) are the lightest and have the shortest burn lengths, which is why they are specified where weight savings and the tightest fire performance matter most.
Frequently asked questions
What is Boeing BMS 5-157?
BMS 5-157 is a Boeing Material Specification for pressure-sensitive insulation blanket cover splicing tapes used in aircraft thermal and acoustic insulation systems. It defines the tape's Type, Class, Grade, and film Composition, along with flammability and physical requirements.
What is the difference between BMS 5-157 Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3?
Class reflects the carrier film and performance tier. Class 1 covers the PVF (Tedlar) film tapes such as E&H 743-MT and 743-T. Class 2 and 3 cover the higher-performance metalized PEEK tapes (753-MP and 753-MPE) used where tighter flammability and thermal performance are required.
Which E&H tape meets BMS 5-157 Grade E?
Only E&H 753-MPE is approved to BMS 5-157 Grade E. It is a metalized PEEK tape approved for Type I, Class 2 or 3, Grade A, C, or E. If your drawing requires Grade E, 753-MPE is the required product.
What does Composition MPVF, PVF, or MPEEK mean?
Composition names the carrier film. PVF is white (non-metalized) Tedlar, MPVF is metalized Tedlar (dull gray), and MPEEK is metalized PEEK (dull gray). Matching the composition on your drawing is the most reliable way to select the correct tape.
Can one tape meet more than one BMS 5-157 callout?
Yes. A single product is often approved across a range of Class and Grade values. For example, 753-MPE is approved for Class 2 or 3 and Grade A, C, or E, so it satisfies several different drawing callouts with one product.
Do these tapes also meet FAA flammability requirements?
Yes. All four E&H BMS 5-157 tapes pass FAR 25.853(a)(b), FAR 25.856(a) Critical Radiant Heat Panel, and Boeing BSS-7230. Always confirm against the current technical data sheet for your specific application.
Not sure which BMS 5-157 tape your drawing needs?
Send us your spec callout or drawing reference and we'll confirm the correct E&H product, lead time, and pricing. Certificate of Conformance available on request.
Ask Our Team →Specification details are provided for reference and are drawn from current E&H technical data sheets. BMS 5-157 is a Boeing Material Specification; Boeing, BMS, and BSS are trademarks of The Boeing Company. Gulfstream and GAT are trademarks of Gulfstream Aerospace. Always verify requirements against the controlling drawing and the current manufacturer data sheet before purchase.