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Tampico is a durable, porous fiber from the Mexican agave plant that is heat, alkali and acid resistant. Works well for wet or dry applications. Tampico is anti-static and heat tolerant up to 280°F.
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TAMPICO: Produced in Mexico from the stalk of the Agave plant. Has a soft to medium texture and is off white in color. It is often dyed and blended to give the desired effects to a bristle brush. It is heat, alkali, and acid resistant. The porous fibers absorb water and work wet or dry. More aggressive than nylon or horsehair. Used for removing surface particles and tool marks, dusting, wet scrubbing, cleaning, and spreading liquids. Excellent for removing light feather burrs and for light edge blending when used with a compound. Heat distortion temperature is 283º F.
References:
http://www.gordonbrush.com/material_descriptions.php
http://www.mfc-usa.com/tampico.html
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/tampico+fiber
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100802123947AAkZbWO