BA 500BC Beta Cloth

Description

BA 500BC TDS

Bron Aerotech, LLC supplies this low-outgassing, white PTFE-Coated Glass Cloth to the Space Market. As a passive thermal control solution, Beta Cloth applications include Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI), Light Blocking, MMOD shielding, and protection from UV radiation and space plasma.

The very tight weave provides mitigation of the destructive effects of atomic oxygen (AO) in low-Earth (LEO) orbit. Beta Cloth contains no silicone, operates exceptionally well in the harsh space environment, and is found in Satellite, Launch Vehicle, Rovers, Space Habitats and Space Station interior and exterior surface protection applications.

Beta Cloth, also known as Beta Fabric, is a white, PTFE-impregnated glass cloth commonly employed as an outer MLIB (Multi Later Insulation Blanket) layer due to its AO (atomic oxygen) resistance in LEO (Low Earth Orbit). It was heavily used on the Space Shuttle and continues to protect the interior and exterior of the International Space Station (ISS).

Beta cloth products are comprised of a high performance PTFE (Teflon™) and glass composite used as a component for MLI (multi-layer insulation) blankets. Often used as the outer layer, special design of the product provides the strength, resistance to flex fatigue and handle which sets it apart from other standard coated fabrics, and makes it more suitable for space applications. This lightly coated, low outgassing material has a great deal of flight legacy being used in proximity to sensitive components and equipment. In many applications, some properties or values are diminished by end of life as the effects of thermocycling, atomic oxygen, solar ultraviolet radiation, vacuum ultraviolet radiation, and space debris attack the exposed surface. Beta cloth fabrics are able to withstand these harsh conditions, serving as a barrier and protecting the inner surface.

This historic material is supplied to the aerospace market exclusively by Bron Aerotech, LLC in Denver, Colorado. Bron Aerotech facilitated the successful re-qualification of beta cloth at aerospace OEMs when DuPont changed the Teflon formulation to reduce and then eliminate PFOA.

We supplied NASA (JPL) with beta cloth that is still protecting the nuclear power plant of Curiosity on planet Mars, 32 million miles from Earth.

The most common end products associated with beta cloth (non-silicone) are:

– BA 500BC Standard beta cloth
– BA 500BCGW ESD beta cloth with patterned graphite wire/weave
– BA 500BCE Etched one side beta cloth for bonding and laminating
– Metalized (VDA) beta cloth
– Beta cloth Tape for cable/wire wrap. Slit to desired width.
– BA 500BC-966 beta cloth with low outgassing adhesive

Beta Cloth on Space Station during EVA (Space Walk).

Beta cloth, aka beta fabric, was designed and manufactured to withstand the harsh environment of space in order to protect sensitive and expensive equipment. It was at one time used in space suit manufacturing.

April 25, 1990, photograph taken by the crew of the STS-31 space shuttle mission, the Hubble Space Telescope is suspended above shuttle Discovery’s cargo bay some 332 nautical miles above Earth. The Canadian-built Remote Manipulator System (RMS) arm, controlled from in-cabin by the astronaut crew members, held the huge telescope in this position during pre-deployment procedures, which included extension of solar array panels and antennae. (Source: NASA)

For more information or to purchase beta cloth, please contact us :

Bron Aerotech, LLC
service@bronaerotech.com
800.782.8807