Why is Beta® Cloth so essential in demanding aerospace conditions?
Beta® Cloth is a fibreglass fabric with an extremely tight weave. This composite also has a high strength-to-weight ratio and is coated with PTFE. Beta cloth material is ideal for use in spacesuits and other aerospace applications.
With low off-gassing, the beta fabric is suited as a protective layer in satellites and other aerospace applications such as the International Space Station, where it is currently used. Off-gassing occurs when chemicals used in manufacturing evaporate and are released into the environment. Beta cloth is therefore designed to emit fewer of these substances, ensuring safety and comfort for astronauts and equipment in the most testing of conditions.
Chief benefits of Beta cloth
Beta cloth has several properties that make it suitable for aeronautic missions.
- Light but mechanically strong: Firstly, it is a light, strong and exceptionally tightly woven material. This allows it to protect individuals and equipment from the rigours posed by atomic oxygen (AO), especially when flying at a low Earth orbit (LEO).
- Flex-fatigue resistance: The material also possesses exceptional flex fatigue resistance, or ability to withstand repeated bending or flexing over time, compared to standard coated fabrics. This property ensures the durability, reliability, safety, and cost-effectiveness of equipment subjected to cyclic loading or repetitive stress. This is especially important in aerospace-type scenarios where materials are subject to dynamic mechanical forces.
- Low off gassing: The cloth’s low off gassing properties also complement aerospace applications, mitigating the possibility of release of volatile organic compounds that could otherwise compromise the health of personnel.
- Ability to withstand solar radiation and other forces: In space, temperature extremities occur, which can impact in the shape of rapid thermal cycling, as materials repeatedly expand and contract as they heat up and cool down. Similarly, spacecraft are exposed to severe solar radiation, and extended exposure can degrade materials. Space is also a near-perfect vacuum, with no atmospheric pressure, potentially exposing materials to UV radiation and subsequent mechanical degradation.
In short, Beta cloth is highly resistant to the effects of thermocycling, solar and vacuum ultraviolet radiation. This property allows space agencies and mission planners to ensure the success and longevity of missions. - Chemical inertness: Those properties that enhance longevity are also present in the chemical inertness of Beta cloth, as the material is designed to withstand corrosion and maintain structural integrity.
- Prevention of electrical losses: Through its properties as a thermal insulator and electromagnetic shield, Beta cloth is critical in helping to prevent electrical losses. The Beta cloth ensures optimal performance of critical electronic components in demanding aerospace environments.
- Fire-resistant: The material’s composition of PTFE and fibreglass contributes to its non-flammable properties, of unique importance in airborne environments
Learn more about Beta cloth fabric
To summarise, Beta® Cloth operates exceptionally well in the harsh space environment. The material is found in Satellite, Launch Vehicle, Rovers, Space Habitats and Space Station interior and exterior surface protection applications.
As a passive thermal control solution, Beta® Cloth applications include multi-layer insulation, Micro-Meteoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) shielding, and protection from UV radiation and space plasma. Versiv provides Standard Beta® Cloth (BA 500BC) and ESD beta cloth (BA 500BCGW).
To learn more contact the team at Versiv Composites.
Beta® is a registered trademark of Advanced Glassfiber Yarns LLC (AGY).
