a fibrous closure comprises a dimensionally stable , heat resistant fibrous backing layer and a layer of high shear strength pressure sensitive adhesive . the closure is used in conjunction with a heat shrinkable , wraparound sleeve for sealing cable jackets , connectors and joints between lengths of pipe or other elongate objects . the sleeve is wrapped around the object such that its ends overlap . the closure is then applied over the overlapping ends of the sleeve to prevent slippage of the overlapping ends during heat shrinking , and to prevent subsequent creeping of the overlap joint due to hoop stresses in the shrunken sleeve . the closure avoids use of a relatively inflexible polymeric backing layer , and is therefore able to conform to objects having a relatively small diameter or irregular shape .