This photo shows a piece of material known as a vibration damper.
This material is designed to prevent furnace vibration noises from being transferred along the metal distribution ducts to the outlet registers. Before around 1965, sometimes the material used could contained asbestos. It appears similar to the material shown in the photo. Lab testing has found asbestos content as high as 65%. Homeowners and home buyers should be aware that even if a furnace is “newer”, the distribution ducts might be older, hence the vibration damper could contain asbestos. Since air passes over the vibration damper, it’s possible asbestos fibers could be released and distributed into the living areas.