Beta cloth

Apollo pressure suit before (left), and after the addition of Beta cloth (right)
Pete Conrad in the Skylab shower in 1973 behind the Skylab shower enclosure which was made of Beta cloth stretched between rings.
Micrometeoroid impacts in Beta cloth
Beta cloth with lunar dust

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,[1] 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 650 °C (1,200 °F). To reduce its tendency to crease or tear when manipulated, and to increase durability, the fibers are coated with Teflon.

  1. ^ Lotzmann, Ulrich (2 September 2015). "Temporary Stowage Bag - McDivitt Purse". Lunar Surface Journal. Apollo 12. Retrieved 9 May 2016.