beta cloth
{{Short description|Fireproof textile}}
File:Two astronauts check mobility of different types of Apollo space suits (5134456205).jpg
File:Skylab 2 Conrad in shower.jpg in the Skylab shower in 1973 behind the Skylab shower enclosure which was made of Beta cloth stretched between rings. ]]
File:Beta cloth penetration.jpg impacts in Beta cloth]]
File:03_Apollo_16_lunar_surface_flown_strap_-_lunar_dust_coated.jpg
Beta cloth is a type of fireproof PTFE impregnated silica fiber cloth used in the manufacture of Apollo/Skylab A7L space suits, the Apollo Thermal Micrometeoroid Garment, the McDivitt Purse,{{cite journal|last1=Lotzmann|first1=Ulrich|title=Temporary Stowage Bag - McDivitt Purse|journal=Lunar Surface Journal|date=2 September 2015|volume=Apollo 12|url=https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a12/A12Flown-Purse.html|access-date=9 May 2016}} and in other specialized applications.
Beta cloth consists of fine woven silica fiber, similar to glass fiber. The resulting fabric does not burn, and melts only at temperatures exceeding {{convert|650|°C|-1|abbr=on}}. To reduce its tendency to crease or tear when manipulated, and to increase durability, the fibers are coated with Teflon.
Details
The tight weave of Beta cloth makes it more resistant to atomic oxygen exposure.{{Cite web|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19990047691.pdf|title = Multilayer Insulation Material Guidelines|date = April 1999|last1 = Finckenor|first1 = M. M.|last2 = Dooling|first2 = D.}} Its ability to resist atomic oxygen exposure means it is commonly used as the outer-most layer of multi-layer insulation for space; it was used on the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station.{{Cite web|url=http://bronaerotech.com/product/ba-500bc-cf500f-beta-cloth/|title=BA 500BC / CF500 F (Beta Cloth, Beta Fabric)|website=bronaerotech.com|language=en|access-date=2018-03-04}}
It was incorporated into NASA space suits after the deadly 1967 Apollo 1 launch pad fire, in which the astronauts' nylon suits burned through. After the fire, NASA demanded any potentially flammable materials be removed from both the spacecraft and space suits. Beta cloth was developed by a Manned Spacecraft Center team led by Frederick S. Dawn and including Matthew I. Radnofsky working with the Owens-Corning and DuPont companies.
Where additional wear resistance was needed, external patches of Chromel-R metallic cloth were used.{{Cite magazine |title=New Apollo is to have fireproof cabin materials and spacesuits |magazine=Popular Science |date=November 1967 |page=98 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wioDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA98}}
Beta cloth was used as the material for the Skylab shower enclosure.{{Cite web|url=https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4011/part3b.htm|title=part3b|website=history.nasa.gov|access-date=2017-01-19}}
The interior of the Space Shuttle payload bay was almost completely covered with Beta cloth.{{Cite web|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19990047691.pdf|title = Multilayer Insulation Material Guidelines|date = April 1999|last1 = Finckenor|first1 = M. M.|last2 = Dooling|first2 = D.}} This protected it while it was opened for weeks at a time in space.
Beta cloth is used on the Curiosity Mars rover.{{Cite web|url=http://bronaerotech.com/product/ba-500bc-cf500f-beta-cloth/|title=BA 500BC / CF500 F (Beta Cloth, Beta Fabric)|website=bronaerotech.com|language=en|access-date=2018-03-04}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commonscat|Beta cloth}}
- [https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19990047691.pdf NASA - Multilayer Insulation Material Guidelines] (1999)
- {{Cite web |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19930015285.pdf |title=NASA Technical Memorandum 104748 | author=Koontz |publisher=NASA |date=1993|display-authors=etal}}
{{Fabric}}
{{Apollo program hardware}}
{{Project Skylab}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Beta Cloth}}
Category:Apollo program hardware