Beta-cloth is a type of refractory fabric made of quartz fiber used in the manufacture of the integrated heat-insulating and anti-meteorite sheath ( English Integrated Thermal Micrometeroid Garment - ITMG) of A7L spacesuits of the American space program Apollon , and other program elements, for example, a temporary storage package ( Eng. Temporary Stowage Bag , in the jargon of astronauts it was called MacDivitt's Wallet) [1] .
Beta fabric was made using twisted quartz fiber yarn, similar to fiberglass . The resulting material did not burn, and melted only at temperatures above 650 ° C. To reduce the tendency of the material to crush and tear during use, and to increase strength, the fibers were coated with Teflon .
Beta fabric began to be used in NASA spacesuits after the Apollo 1 catastrophic fire in 1967 , during which astronaut suits made of nylon burned through and through. As a result of the investigation into the causes of the fire, NASA demanded the replacement of all potentially flammable materials used on the ship and in spacesuits with fireproof non-combustible analogues. However, difficulties arose with the search for such analogues, and they were sought throughout the country. The beta fabric was developed by the Manned Flight Center team under the leadership of Frederick S. Down and Matthew I. Radnofsky in collaboration with Owens-Corning and DuPont .
If necessary, to provide additional resistance to abrasion (for example, in gloves of a spacesuit), the beta fabric was covered with lining of metallized chromel-R fabric. [2]
Another use case for beta-fabric was the use of material for making a shower at Skylab Station. [3]
Notes
- ↑ Lotzmann, Ulrich. Temporary Stowage Bag - McDivitt Purse (Neopr.) // Lunar Surface Journal. - 2015 .-- 2 September ( t. Apollo 12 ).
- ↑ New Apollo is to have fireproof cabin materials and spacesuits // Popular Science : journal. - Bonnier Corporation , 1967. - November. - P. 98 .
- ↑ part3b unopened . history.nasa.gov . Date of treatment January 19, 2017.