Abstract: A core element, as for example a pipe, tube, hose or the like, has thermal insulation applied thereto in the form of a plurality of layers of tape applied in a continuous process in which conditions are selected to deliberately create wrinkles thereby defining air spaces serving to further reduce the transmission of heat through the composite thermal insulation. The wrinkles may be introduced by wrapping the tape about the pipe at an applied angle greater or smaller than the angle required for a given effective diameter, overlap factor, and width of tape, At the outer surface of the wrap the tape is substantially wrinkle-free and a jacket of polyvinyl chloride or the like is applied thereto.