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Beta cloth is a type of fireproofPTFE impregnatedsilica fiber cloth used in the manufacture ofApollo/Skylab A7Lspace suits, the ApolloThermal Micrometeoroid Garment, the McDivitt Purse,[1] and in other specialized applications.
Beta cloth consists of fine wovensilica fiber, similar toglass fiber. The resulting fabric does not burn, and melts only at temperatures exceeding 650 °C (1,200 °F). To reduce its tendency to crease or tear when manipulated, and to increase durability, the fibers are coated withTeflon.
The tight weave of Beta cloth makes it more resistant toatomic oxygen exposure.[2] 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 theSpace Shuttle and theInternational Space Station.[3]
It was incorporated intoNASAspace suits after the deadly 1967Apollo 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 aManned Spacecraft Center team led by Frederick S. Dawn and including Matthew I. Radnofsky working with theOwens-Corning andDuPont companies.
Where additional wear resistance was needed, external patches ofChromel-R metallic cloth were used.[4]
Beta cloth was used as the material for theSkylab shower enclosure.[5]
The interior of theSpace Shuttle payload bay was almost completely covered with Beta cloth.[6] This protected it while it was opened for weeks at a time in space.[6]
Beta cloth is used on theCuriosity Mars rover.[7]
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