Beta Cloth, aka 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. Our Beta cloth fabrics are able to withstand these harsh conditions, serving as a barrier and protecting the inner surface.
This historic material is manufactured by Saint-Gobain Coated Fabrics in Manchester, NH USA and is supplied to the aerospace market exclusively by Bron Aerotech, Inc 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 / CF500 Standard beta cloth
BA 500BCE Etched one side beta cloth for bonding and laminating
Beta cloth Tape for cable/wire wrap. Slit to desired width.
BA 500BC-966 beta cloth with low outgassing adhesive
BA 500BCGW beta cloth with graphite wire/weave for ESD
Metalized (VDA) beta cloth
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-deploymentprocedures, which included extension of solar array panels and antennae. (Source: NASA)
For more information or to purchase beta cloth, please contact us :
Bron Aerotech
service@bronaerotech.com
800.782.8807
BA 500BC / CF500 F (Beta Cloth, Beta Fabric)
PTFE coated fiberglass “Beta Cloth”
Description
BA 500BC TDS
Beta Cloth, aka 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. Our Beta cloth fabrics are able to withstand these harsh conditions, serving as a barrier and protecting the inner surface.
This historic material is manufactured by Saint-Gobain Coated Fabrics in Manchester, NH USA and is supplied to the aerospace market exclusively by Bron Aerotech, Inc 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 / CF500 Standard beta cloth
BA 500BCE Etched one side beta cloth for bonding and laminating
Beta cloth Tape for cable/wire wrap. Slit to desired width.
BA 500BC-966 beta cloth with low outgassing adhesive
BA 500BCGW beta cloth with graphite wire/weave for ESD
Metalized (VDA) beta cloth
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
service@bronaerotech.com
800.782.8807
Khristopher Fortson
Saint-Gobain Coated Fabrics
khristopher.fortson@saint-gobain.com
(714) 642-8147
Related Products
BA 4966
BA DM102
BA 908
BA 4975
Contact a Bron Aerotech Application Specialist
Search our Site:
Return to catalog
Additional information
White
Space
AO Resistance, UV Resistance, Abrasion Resistance, Surface Protection, Wrapping, Thermal Control, MLI