PTFE-coated glass fabric (Teflon-coated fibreglass)
PTFE-coated woven glass fabric
PTFE-coated glass fabric is a woven glass or silica fibre cloth with a PTFE (Teflon) coating on the fibres.
Evidence level
2 of 5
Lab-measured
- 0Predicted only. No one has made it, or no measurement exists.
- 1Calculated. Only calculated or predicted values from sources.
- 2Lab-measured. Measured properties with their conditions stated.
- 3Space-relevant tests. Measured in conditions relevant to space, such as vacuum or atomic oxygen.
- 4Ground-qualified. Qualified for an application on the ground.
- 5Flown or field-proven. Flight or field results exist.
Temperature range
-73 to +260 °C
Tensile strength
2500 N/5cm warp, typical
Electrical insulation
5000 V typical
Melting threshold
Above 650 °C
Recipe, share of the weight
- Goodfellow formula printed as PTFE 75; Angst+Pfister coating 55 %PTFE coating
- Goodfellow formula printed as Glass 25Glass or silica fibre
Best for
Heat-resistant, release-coated cloth for covers and outer layers: an upper working temperature of 260 °C is printed by both Goodfellow and Angst+Pfister
Weakest at
Lower temperature limit and strength depend on the product: Goodfellow prints -130 °C and Angst+Pfister -73 °C. No atomic oxygen erosion yield for this fabric was found.
Risk at a glance
- People None found. Not classified in the sources read; no safety sheet read
- If it fails No data. No failure risks recorded
- Corrosion Moderate. Good resistance to alcohols, dilute acids, aromatic hydrocarbons, oils and ketones; poor in concentrated acids.
Quick facts: PTFE-coated glass fabric (Teflon-coated fibreglass)
| Property | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 2.08 g/cm³ | 1 sourced value |
| Tensile strength | 102 MPa | 3 sourced values across conditions |
| Melting point | at least 650 °C | 1 sourced value |
| Maximum service temperature | 260 °C | 2 sourced values across conditions |
What is the density of PTFE-coated glass fabric?
PTFE-coated glass fabric has a density of 2.08 g/cm³. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What is the melting point of PTFE-coated glass fabric?
PTFE-coated glass fabric has a melting point of at least 650 °C. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What is the tensile strength of PTFE-coated glass fabric?
PTFE-coated glass fabric has a tensile strength of 102 MPa. The range covers 3 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What is the maximum service temperature of PTFE-coated glass fabric?
PTFE-coated glass fabric has a maximum service temperature of 260 °C. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What is PTFE-coated glass fabric used for?
Uses recorded in the sources include Outermost layer of multi-layer insulation on the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station; Apollo and Skylab space suits and the Apollo Thermal Micrometeoroid Garment; Curiosity Mars rover.
Why it exists
PTFE-coated glass fabric is a woven glass or silica cloth coated with PTFE, the fluoropolymer also sold as Teflon. The Wikipedia article calls the silica-fibre version beta cloth. NASA adopted it after the 1967 Apollo 1 fire, and its outer layers of multi-layer insulation must be stronger than the thin inner films, which Wikipedia describes as often thicker plastic reinforced with a scrim such as fiberglass. The two datasheets read here describe different products: a 0.08 mm Goodfellow sample weighing 145 g/m2, and the 0.215 mm, 455 g/m2 Angst+Pfister Type 5108.
Recipe
PTFE-coated woven glass fabric; Goodfellow sample printed as PTFE 75 / Glass 25
PTFE-coated glass fabric is a plain-woven cloth of glass or silica fibre with a PTFE (Teflon) coating on the fibres. Wikipedia describes beta cloth as PTFE-impregnated silica fibre. The Goodfellow sample is printed as PTFE 75 / Glass 25, and Angst+Pfister gives a coating content of 55 % for Type 5108. The sources read do not describe the coating process.
| Ingredient | Share of the weight | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| PTFE coating | Goodfellow formula printed as PTFE 75; Angst+Pfister coating 55 % | Coats the fibres. Wikipedia gives the PTFE repeat unit as -(F2C-CF2)n-, and says the coating reduces creasing and tearing of beta cloth. |
| Glass or silica fibre | Goodfellow formula printed as Glass 25 | Woven base cloth. Goodfellow calls it glass and Wikipedia calls it silica fibre, similar to glass fibre; the Wikipedia article says it melts only above 650 °C. |
Weight shares are as printed in the sources.
What it can do
Temperature range
-73 to +260 °C
Angst+Pfister gives an operating range of -73 to +260 °C for Type 5108. Goodfellow prints -130 to 260 °C for its 0.08 mm sample, so the lower limits differ between the two products.
Tensile strength
2500 N/5cm warp, typical
Angst+Pfister prints typical tensile strengths of 2500 N/5cm in warp and 1800 N/5cm in weft, tested to ISO 1421, with minimums of 2000 and 1300 N/5cm. Goodfellow's 0.08 mm sample is printed at 102 MPa.
Electrical insulation
5000 V typical
Angst+Pfister prints a typical dielectric breakdown of 5000 V, with a minimum of 2300 V under BS2782 part 2. Goodfellow prints surface and volume resistivity as lower bounds only.
Melting threshold
Above 650 °C
The Beta cloth article states that the silica-fibre fabric melts only at temperatures above 650 °C. No datasheet melting value for the coated products was found.
How it compares
Among the flexible outer layers and covers in this collection, PTFE-coated glass fabric is a woven cloth rated to 260 °C as its upper working temperature in both datasheets. Its strength is directional, 2500 N/5cm in warp against 1800 N/5cm in weft, so warp and weft should be compared separately. The Goodfellow and Angst+Pfister figures are for different products and thicknesses, so read them as separate examples rather than as a ranking.
The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details. Compare every grade in the family.
| Measurement | PTFE-coated glass fabric (Teflon-coated fibreglass) |
|---|---|
| Voltage and potential | |
| Dielectric breakdown, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 5108 | 5000 V14 |
| Thermal behavior and safety | |
| Melting threshold of silica-fibre beta cloth | > 650 °C15 |
| Physical and electrical | |
| Density, PTFE-coated glass fabric (Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample) | 2.08 g/cm³1 |
| Thickness, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample | 0.08 mm6 |
| Fabric weight, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample | 145 g/m27 |
| Total PTFE coated fabric weight, Angst+Pfister Type 5108Value printed on the datasheet | 455 g/m2 |
| Other measurements | |
| Tensile strength, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample | 102 MPa2 |
| Elongation at break, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample | < 8 %3 |
| Lower working temperature, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample | -130 °C4 |
| Upper working temperature, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample | 260 °C5 |
| Operating temperature lower limit, Angst+Pfister Type 5108 | -73 °C8 |
| Operating temperature upper limit, Angst+Pfister Type 5108 | 260 °C9 |
| Coating content, Angst+Pfister Type 5108Value printed on the datasheet | 55 % |
| Tensile strength, warp, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 5108 | 2500 N/5cm10 |
| Tensile strength, weft, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 5108 | 1800 N/5cm11 |
| Tear strength, warp, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 5108 | 40 N12 |
| Coating adhesion strength, Angst+Pfister Type 5108 | 30 N/5cm13 |
Why choose it, and why not
Good for
- Covers and outer layers that must hold up to 260 °C in use, printed as the upper working temperature by both suppliers.
- Release-coated surfaces: Angst+Pfister describes good release properties in demanding high-temperature applications.
Watch out for
- Lower limit: -130 °C for the Goodfellow sample and -73 °C for Angst+Pfister Type 5108.
- Concentrated acids are rated Poor by Goodfellow.
- No atomic oxygen erosion yield, outgassing or UV test for this fabric was found.
PTFE-coated glass fabric is a heat-resistant, release-coated cloth. Angst+Pfister Type 5108 and the Goodfellow sample both print a 260 °C upper working temperature, but their lower limits, thickness and weight differ. The strongest sourced values are the Angst+Pfister strengths and operating range. Hazard data are limited to Wikipedia's PTFE safety statements, supply is limited to the fluorspar feedstock chain, and no supplier safety data sheet or space-exposure test data for this fabric are in this profile.
Technical details
For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.
Notes
The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.
| # | Measurement | Method | Conditions | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Density, PTFE-coated glass fabric (Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample) | Value printed on the product page, Physical Properties tab | product PTFE-coated glass fabric, 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522temperature not printed | — |
| 2 | Tensile strength, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample | Value printed on the product page, Mechanical Properties tab; no test standard printed | product 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522test not printed on the page | — |
| 3 | Elongation at break, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample | Printed as less than 8 percent on the product page | product 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522test not printed on the page | — |
| 4 | Lower working temperature, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample | Value printed on the product page as lower working temperature | product 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522basis working temperature as printed, not a test value | — |
| 5 | Upper working temperature, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample | Value printed on the product page as upper working temperature | product 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522basis working temperature as printed, not a test value | — |
| 6 | Thickness, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample | Value printed on the product page, Details section | product 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522tolerance as printed plus or minus 25 % | — |
| 7 | Fabric weight, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample | Value printed on the product page, Details section | product 0.08 mm sample, plain weave, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522 | — |
| 8 | Operating temperature lower limit, Angst+Pfister Type 5108 | Value printed on the datasheet, Operating Temperature row | product Type 5108 PTFE coated fabricbasis operating temperature as printed, not a test value | — |
| 9 | Operating temperature upper limit, Angst+Pfister Type 5108 | Value printed on the datasheet, Operating Temperature row | product Type 5108 PTFE coated fabricbasis operating temperature as printed, not a test value | — |
| 10 | Tensile strength, warp, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 5108 | Typical value printed on the datasheet; minimum 2000 N/5cm printed alongside | direction warpvalue basis typicaltest standard ISO 1421strip width 5 cm as printed in N/5cm | — |
| 11 | Tensile strength, weft, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 5108 | Typical value printed on the datasheet; minimum 1300 N/5cm printed alongside | direction weftvalue basis typicaltest standard ISO 1421strip width 5 cm as printed in N/5cm | — |
| 12 | Tear strength, warp, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 5108 | Typical value printed on the datasheet; minimum 25 N printed alongside | direction warpvalue basis typicaltest standard ISO 9073-4 | — |
| 13 | Coating adhesion strength, Angst+Pfister Type 5108 | Typical value printed on the datasheet; minimum 25 N/5cm printed alongside | value basis typicaltest standard ISO 2411strip width 5 cm as printed in N/5cm | — |
| 14 | Dielectric breakdown, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 5108 | Typical value printed on the datasheet; minimum 2300 V printed alongside | value basis typicaltest standard BS2782 part 2 | — |
| 15 | Melting threshold of silica-fibre beta cloth | Statement in the Wikipedia lead section; the article gives no test method | basis statement about beta cloth (silica fibre coated with Teflon), not a datasheet value for the coated fabric in this profile | Wikipedia says it melts only at temperatures exceeding 650 °C. The article gives no value for the Goodfellow or Angst+Pfister products. |
Corrosion and compatibility
What happens when it meets other materials and environments.
| Environment | Concern | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical exposure at room temperature (Goodfellow chemical resistance tab) | moderate | Good resistance to alcohols, dilute acids, aromatic hydrocarbons, oils and ketones; poor in concentrated acids.1 |
| Atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit | low | The Beta cloth article says the tight weave resists atomic oxygen; no erosion yield for this fabric was found.2 |
| Storage in light and humidity before use | low | Store indoors at about 20 °C and about 50 % relative humidity, away from direct sunlight and liquid water.3 |
| Atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit, tight versus looser weave | moderate | NASA says a tight weave is essential for long-term durability of beta cloth in atomic oxygen.4 |
| Low Earth orbit flight exposure (Optical Properties Monitor) | moderate | NASA reports unexpected darkening of beta cloth in the Optical Properties Monitor.5 |
| # | Environment | Details | Test conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemical exposure at room temperature (Goodfellow chemical resistance tab) | Goodfellow rates the 0.08 mm sample Poor for concentrated acids, Good for dilute acids, alcohols, aromatic hydrocarbons, greases and oils, halogenated hydrocarbons and ketones, Good-Fair for alkalis and Fair for halogens. The page gives no test method or exposure time. | basis supplier chemical resistance rating, test conditions not printedproduct 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522 |
| 2 | Atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit | Wikipedia states that the tight weave makes beta cloth more resistant to atomic oxygen, and that is why it is commonly used as the outermost multi-layer insulation layer. The article gives no erosion yield or test condition. | basis qualitative statement in a Wikipedia article, no test data |
| 3 | Storage in light and humidity before use | Angst+Pfister recommends indoor storage in clean rooms at about 20 °C and about 50 % relative humidity, storage away from direct sunlight, and avoiding direct contact with liquid water before application. Minimum shelf life is 18 months after production date. | basis manufacturer storage recommendation, not an ageing test |
| 4 | Atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit, tight versus looser weave | NASA's multilayer insulation guidelines state that a tight weave is essential for long-term durability of Beta cloth in atomic oxygen (AO), and that a looser-weave Beta cloth (Sheldahl G414500) failed to protect underlying layers from AO attack. Looser-weave Beta cloth may be acceptable for areas not exposed to AO. No erosion yield for this fabric was found in the passages read. | basis guideline statement that cites NASA test data for a looser-weave product (Sheldahl G414500); the report does not say whether that product is one of the two products in this profile |
| 5 | Low Earth orbit flight exposure (Optical Properties Monitor) | NASA/TM-1999-209575 discusses beta cloth as an MLI outer cover in the low-Earth orbit (LEO) environment and states: 'Unexpected darkening of the beta cloth in the Optical Properties Monitor'. The passages read give no numeric change in solar absorptance for this fabric. | basis flight observation for beta cloth, qualitative in the passages read; the product grade is not stated |
Risks and side effects
Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.
For people
No safety data sheet for this product was read in this run, so no GHS classification is recorded.
- Handling
- Angst+Pfister recommends indoor storage at about 20 °C and about 50 % relative humidity, and keeping the fabric away from direct sunlight and liquid water before use.
If it fails
The sources read give no failure test with a number for this fabric. Heat and atomic oxygen are the two limits they describe.
- Heat
- Wikipedia states that beta cloth melts only at temperatures exceeding 650 °C. Goodfellow prints an upper working temperature of 260 °C and Angst+Pfister an operating range of -73 to +260 °C.
- Atomic oxygen
- Wikipedia states that the tight weave resists atomic oxygen. No erosion yield for this fabric was found.
Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.
Handling and storage
- Angst+Pfister recommends indoor storage at about 20 °C and about 50 % relative humidity, away from direct sunlight, and no direct contact with liquid water before application.
- Minimum shelf life is 18 months after the production date, as printed on the Angst+Pfister datasheet.
Supply and geography
How common the raw materials are and where they come from.
Fluorspar (calcium fluoride), the source of the hydrogen fluoride used to make fluoropolymers such as PTFE
- Top producers (2025)
- China 60%, Mexico 15%, Mongolia 15%, South Africa 4.1%
- Recycling
- USGS: synthetic fluorspar may be produced from neutralization of waste, but undesirable impurities constrain its use.
Documents
Datasheets, safety data sheets, papers and standards you can open.
Full record
The complete spore, as stored. Free to reuse under CC-BY-4.0. Images keep the licence shown with each one.
Show the full YAML
spore: profile
id: ptfe-coated-glass-fabric
spore_version: 0.2
family: glass-and-composites
name: PTFE-coated glass fabric (Teflon-coated fibreglass)
role: woven fabric for spacecraft covers and multi-layer insulation outer layers (commercial equivalent of beta cloth)
category: textiles
type: beta-cloth
summary: PTFE-coated glass fabric is a woven glass or silica fibre cloth with a PTFE (Teflon) coating on the fibres. Wikipedia describes beta cloth as PTFE-impregnated silica fibre used on Apollo and Skylab suits. Angst+Pfister Type 5108 is 0.215 mm thick and weighs 455 g/m2, with typical tensile strengths of 2500 N/5cm warp and 1800 N/5cm weft and an operating range of -73 to +260 °C. The Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample has a density of 2.08 g/cm3, a tensile strength of 102 MPa and working temperatures of -130 to 260 °C.
best_for: 'Heat-resistant, release-coated cloth for covers and outer layers: an upper working temperature of 260 °C is printed by both Goodfellow and Angst+Pfister'
weakest_at: 'Lower temperature limit and strength depend on the product: Goodfellow prints -130 °C and Angst+Pfister -73 °C. No atomic oxygen erosion yield for this fabric was found.'
identity:
formula: PTFE-coated woven glass fabric; Goodfellow sample printed as PTFE 75 / Glass 25
source: goodfellow-ptfe-glass
where: Goodfellow Details section, Formula row; Angst+Pfister Type 5108 Material Data Sheet, Description row
tags:
environments:
- low-earth-orbit
stresses:
- atomic-oxygen
- extreme-cold
applications:
- thermal-control
- habitats-and-suits
- rovers-and-surface-systems
properties:
- benchmark: density
label: Density, PTFE-coated glass fabric (Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample)
value: 2.08
unit: g/cm3
scope: material
conditions:
product: PTFE-coated glass fabric, 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522
temperature: not printed
method: Value printed on the product page, Physical Properties tab
status: ground
source: goodfellow-ptfe-glass
where: Physical Properties tab, Density row
- benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
label: Tensile strength, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample
value: 102
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
product: 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522
test: not printed on the page
method: Value printed on the product page, Mechanical Properties tab; no test standard printed
status: ground
source: goodfellow-ptfe-glass
where: Mechanical Properties tab, Tensile strength row
- benchmark: elongation
label: Elongation at break, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample
value: 8
bound: upper
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
product: 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522
test: not printed on the page
method: Printed as less than 8 percent on the product page
status: ground
source: goodfellow-ptfe-glass
where: Mechanical Properties tab, Elongation at break row
- benchmark: min_service_temp
label: Lower working temperature, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample
value: -130
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
product: 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522
basis: working temperature as printed, not a test value
method: Value printed on the product page as lower working temperature
status: ground
source: goodfellow-ptfe-glass
where: Thermal Properties tab, Lower working temperature row
- benchmark: max_service_temp
label: Upper working temperature, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample
value: 260
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
product: 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522
basis: working temperature as printed, not a test value
method: Value printed on the product page as upper working temperature
status: ground
source: goodfellow-ptfe-glass
where: Thermal Properties tab, Upper working temperature row
- benchmark: thickness
label: Thickness, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample
value: 0.08
unit: mm
scope: material
conditions:
product: 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522
tolerance_as_printed: plus or minus 25 %
method: Value printed on the product page, Details section
status: ground
source: goodfellow-ptfe-glass
where: Details section, Thickness row; Tolerances section
- benchmark: areal_density
label: Fabric weight, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample
value: 145
unit: g/m2
scope: material
conditions:
product: 0.08 mm sample, plain weave, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522
method: Value printed on the product page, Details section
status: ground
source: goodfellow-ptfe-glass
where: Details section, Fabric Weight row
- benchmark: min_service_temp
label: Operating temperature lower limit, Angst+Pfister Type 5108
value: -73
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
product: Type 5108 PTFE coated fabric
basis: operating temperature as printed, not a test value
method: Value printed on the datasheet, Operating Temperature row
status: ground
source: ang-pfister-5108
where: Operating Temperature row (range -73 to +260 °C)
- benchmark: max_service_temp
label: Operating temperature upper limit, Angst+Pfister Type 5108
value: 260
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
product: Type 5108 PTFE coated fabric
basis: operating temperature as printed, not a test value
method: Value printed on the datasheet, Operating Temperature row
status: ground
source: ang-pfister-5108
where: Operating Temperature row (range -73 to +260 °C)
- benchmark: areal_density
label: Total PTFE coated fabric weight, Angst+Pfister Type 5108
value: 455
unit: g/m2
scope: material
conditions:
product: Type 5108 PTFE coated fabric
tolerance_as_printed: plus or minus 5 %
method: Value printed on the datasheet
status: ground
source: ang-pfister-5108
where: Testing table, Total PTFE coated fabric weight row
- benchmark: coating_content
label: Coating content, Angst+Pfister Type 5108
value: 55
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
product: Type 5108 PTFE coated fabric
tolerance_as_printed: plus or minus 2 %
method: Value printed on the datasheet
status: ground
source: ang-pfister-5108
where: Testing table, Coating row
- benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
label: Tensile strength, warp, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 5108
value: 2500
unit: N/5cm
scope: material
conditions:
direction: warp
value_basis: typical
test_standard: ISO 1421
strip_width: 5 cm as printed in N/5cm
method: Typical value printed on the datasheet; minimum 2000 N/5cm printed alongside
status: ground
source: ang-pfister-5108
where: Testing table, Tensile Strength Warp row
- benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
label: Tensile strength, weft, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 5108
value: 1800
unit: N/5cm
scope: material
conditions:
direction: weft
value_basis: typical
test_standard: ISO 1421
strip_width: 5 cm as printed in N/5cm
method: Typical value printed on the datasheet; minimum 1300 N/5cm printed alongside
status: ground
source: ang-pfister-5108
where: Testing table, Tensile Strength Weft row
- benchmark: tear_strength
label: Tear strength, warp, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 5108
value: 40
unit: 'N'
scope: material
conditions:
direction: warp
value_basis: typical
test_standard: ISO 9073-4
method: Typical value printed on the datasheet; minimum 25 N printed alongside
status: ground
source: ang-pfister-5108
where: Testing table, Tear Strength Warp row
- benchmark: coating_adhesion_strength
label: Coating adhesion strength, Angst+Pfister Type 5108
value: 30
unit: N/5cm
scope: material
conditions:
value_basis: typical
test_standard: ISO 2411
strip_width: 5 cm as printed in N/5cm
method: Typical value printed on the datasheet; minimum 25 N/5cm printed alongside
status: ground
source: ang-pfister-5108
where: Testing table, Coating Adhesion Strength row
- benchmark: dielectric_breakdown_voltage
label: Dielectric breakdown, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 5108
value: 5000
unit: V
scope: material
conditions:
value_basis: typical
test_standard: BS2782 part 2
method: Typical value printed on the datasheet; minimum 2300 V printed alongside
status: ground
source: ang-pfister-5108
where: Testing table, Dielectric Breakdown row
- benchmark: melting_point
label: Melting threshold of silica-fibre beta cloth
value: 650
bound: lower
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
basis: statement about beta cloth (silica fibre coated with Teflon), not a datasheet value for the coated fabric in this profile
method: Statement in the Wikipedia lead section; the article gives no test method
status: ground
note: Wikipedia says it melts only at temperatures exceeding 650 °C. The article gives no value for the Goodfellow or Angst+Pfister products.
source: wikipedia-beta-cloth
where: Lead section
corrosion:
- environment: Chemical exposure at room temperature (Goodfellow chemical resistance tab)
headline: Good resistance to alcohols, dilute acids, aromatic hydrocarbons, oils and ketones; poor in concentrated acids.
effect: Goodfellow rates the 0.08 mm sample Poor for concentrated acids, Good for dilute acids, alcohols, aromatic hydrocarbons, greases and oils, halogenated hydrocarbons and ketones, Good-Fair for alkalis and Fair for halogens. The page gives no test method or exposure time.
rating: moderate
conditions:
basis: supplier chemical resistance rating, test conditions not printed
product: 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522
source: goodfellow-ptfe-glass
where: Chemical Resistance tab
- environment: Atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit
headline: The Beta cloth article says the tight weave resists atomic oxygen; no erosion yield for this fabric was found.
effect: Wikipedia states that the tight weave makes beta cloth more resistant to atomic oxygen, and that is why it is commonly used as the outermost multi-layer insulation layer. The article gives no erosion yield or test condition.
rating: low
conditions:
basis: qualitative statement in a Wikipedia article, no test data
source: wikipedia-beta-cloth
where: Multi-layer insulation role section
- environment: Storage in light and humidity before use
headline: Store indoors at about 20 °C and about 50 % relative humidity, away from direct sunlight and liquid water.
effect: Angst+Pfister recommends indoor storage in clean rooms at about 20 °C and about 50 % relative humidity, storage away from direct sunlight, and avoiding direct contact with liquid water before application. Minimum shelf life is 18 months after production date.
rating: low
conditions:
basis: manufacturer storage recommendation, not an ageing test
source: ang-pfister-5108
where: Conditions of storage and Shelf life rows
- environment: Atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit, tight versus looser weave
headline: NASA says a tight weave is essential for long-term durability of beta cloth in atomic oxygen.
effect: NASA's multilayer insulation guidelines state that a tight weave is essential for long-term durability of Beta cloth in atomic oxygen (AO), and that a looser-weave Beta cloth (Sheldahl G414500) failed to protect underlying layers from AO attack. Looser-weave Beta cloth may be acceptable for areas not exposed to AO. No erosion yield for this fabric was found in the passages read.
rating: moderate
conditions:
basis: guideline statement that cites NASA test data for a looser-weave product (Sheldahl G414500); the report does not say whether that product is one of the two products in this profile
source: nasa-tp-1999-209263
where: Outer cover discussion, before Table 1
- environment: Low Earth orbit flight exposure (Optical Properties Monitor)
headline: NASA reports unexpected darkening of beta cloth in the Optical Properties Monitor.
effect: 'NASA/TM-1999-209575 discusses beta cloth as an MLI outer cover in the low-Earth orbit (LEO) environment and states: ''Unexpected darkening of the beta cloth in the Optical Properties Monitor''. The passages read give no numeric change in solar absorptance for this fabric.'
rating: moderate
conditions:
basis: flight observation for beta cloth, qualitative in the passages read; the product grade is not stated
source: nasa-tm-1999-209575
where: Introduction, paragraph on beta cloth durability in LEO (text near the start of the report)
risks:
hazards:
- text: Wikipedia's PTFE article states that PTFE 'begins to deteriorate at temperatures of about 260 °C (500 °F)' and 'decomposes above 350 °C (662 °F)', with fluorocarbon gases as the main decomposition products. These statements describe the PTFE polymer, not the coated glass fabric; no supplier safety data sheet for this fabric was read.
ghs: []
source: wikipedia-ptfe
where: Safety section
- text: 'The same Wikipedia section says: ''Above those temperatures the degradation by-products can be lethal to birds'', and that PTFE fumes can ''cause flu-like symptoms in humans (polymer fume fever)''.'
ghs: []
source: wikipedia-ptfe
where: Safety section
failure_risks: []
side_effects: []
handling:
- text: Angst+Pfister recommends indoor storage at about 20 °C and about 50 % relative humidity, away from direct sunlight, and no direct contact with liquid water before application.
source: ang-pfister-5108
where: Conditions of storage row
- text: Minimum shelf life is 18 months after the production date, as printed on the Angst+Pfister datasheet.
source: ang-pfister-5108
where: Shelf life row
mitigations: []
uses:
- application: thermal-control
device: Outermost layer of multi-layer insulation on the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station
example: The Beta cloth article says its tight weave makes it more resistant to atomic oxygen, so it is commonly used as the outermost layer of multi-layer insulation, including on the Space Shuttle and the ISS.
source: wikipedia-beta-cloth
where: Multi-layer insulation role section
- application: habitats-and-suits
device: Apollo and Skylab space suits and the Apollo Thermal Micrometeoroid Garment
example: The Beta cloth article says NASA adopted the woven, Teflon-coated silica fibre fabric after the 1967 Apollo 1 launch pad fire, for suits and the Apollo Thermal Micrometeoroid Garment.
source: wikipedia-beta-cloth
where: History and development section; lead
- application: rovers-and-surface-systems
device: Curiosity Mars rover
example: The Beta cloth article lists the Curiosity Mars rover among the uses of beta cloth, without naming the component or giving a number.
source: wikipedia-beta-cloth
where: Spacecraft uses section
- application: thermal-control
device: Platen and element covers, and chute linings in industrial feed equipment
example: Angst+Pfister says Type 5108 is used for platen and element covers in a variety of industries and for lining chutes and other feed mechanisms.
source: ang-pfister-5108
where: Preferred fields row
supply:
- subject: Fluorspar (calcium fluoride), the source of the hydrogen fluoride used to make fluoropolymers such as PTFE
producers:
- country: China
share_percent: 60
year: 2025
- country: Mexico
share_percent: 15
year: 2025
- country: Mongolia
share_percent: 15
year: 2025
- country: South Africa
share_percent: 4.1
year: 2025
recycling: 'USGS: synthetic fluorspar may be produced from neutralization of waste, but undesirable impurities constrain its use.'
source: usgs-fluorspar-2026
where: 'World Mine Production and Reserves table, 2025 column (thousand metric tons; world total printed as 10,000). Shares calculated by Space Mushroom as country output divided by the printed world total. Aqueous HF as feedstock for fluoropolymers: Domestic Production and Use section. Recycling: Recycling section.'
media: []
documents:
- title: Goodfellow product page, PTFE-coated glass fabric (SKU 1000113522), sizes page
type: datasheet
url: https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/ptfe-coated-glass-fabric-sizes-1000113522
year: 2026
- title: Angst+Pfister Material Data Sheet, PTFE coated glass fabric, Type 5108 (issued 27.01.2025)
type: datasheet
url: https://apsoparts.com/media/downloads/asset//std.lang.all/c_/v1/TDS_5108_PTFE%20Coated%20Fabric_V1.pdf
year: 2025
- title: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Fluorspar
type: report
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-fluorspar.pdf
year: 2026
- title: NASA/TP-1999-209263, Multilayer Insulation Material Guidelines
type: report
url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19990047691/downloads/19990047691.pdf
year: 1999
- title: NASA/TM-1999-209575, Comparison of Observed Beta Cloth Interactions With Simulated and Actual Space Environment
type: report
url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19990103958/downloads/19990103958.pdf
year: 1999
gaps:
- No vacuum, outgassing, UV or radiation test for this fabric was read in this run.
- No atomic oxygen erosion yield for PTFE-coated glass fabric was found; the Wikipedia statement is qualitative only.
- Supply covers only fluorspar, the fluorine feedstock for PTFE, from USGS. No producer or feedstock source for the glass or silica fibre was read, and no critical-mineral list was checked for PTFE or glass.
- No safety data sheet for this fabric was read. PubChem name lookups for PTFE returned no CID, so the hazard entries use the Wikipedia PTFE safety section, which describes the resin rather than the coated fabric. The Goodfellow page refers to a German safety sheet but prints none of its hazard text.
- No failure-mode test (flex fatigue, creasing, tear after heat ageing) was read; Wikipedia gives qualitative statements only.
- The equivalence to NASA beta cloth is not stated by Goodfellow or Angst+Pfister. The match rests on the Wikipedia definition of beta cloth as PTFE-coated silica fibre.
- Glass or silica fibre type, coating process and PTFE grade are not stated on any page read.
- Goodfellow mechanical and electrical values print no test method or standard. Angst+Pfister values are typical values with minimums in the same table.
- Tensile strengths are printed in N/5cm (strip force), not MPa; they are kept as printed and not converted, because no safe conversion without the strip width and thickness is printed.
- Coating content, tear strength, coating adhesion, areal density and dielectric breakdown voltage use names not listed in property-canon.yaml (dielectric breakdown is in V, not the canonical kV/mm). Areal density and thickness follow names used in other profiles.
- Goodfellow sample (0.08 mm, 145 g/m2, PTFE 75 / glass 25) and Angst+Pfister Type 5108 (0.215 mm, 455 g/m2, 55 % coating) are different products. Their values are kept apart and not merged.
- The 650 °C melting threshold is a Wikipedia statement about silica-fibre beta cloth, not a datasheet value for the coated fabric.
- No product designation code (UNS, EN, ASTM or similar) was found for this fabric. The Goodfellow SKU and product code are supplier codes, not grade designations.
- No image was added in this run (media is empty).
- Search budget for this turn was used up after one search, so the NASA technical reports and ISO 1421 text on beta cloth were not checked; only the five pages named in sources were read.
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-11-01'
review:
status: draft
method: assistant
checked_values: 17
unreachable: 0
caveats: 3
note: 'Read by an AI assistant on 2026-11-01 from the Goodfellow product page, the Angst+Pfister Type 5108 datasheet (PDF text extracted with pdftotext) and three Wikipedia pages (Beta cloth, Polytetrafluoroethylene, Multi-layer insulation). Caveats: Goodfellow and Angst+Pfister describe different products; Wikipedia values are not datasheet values; tensile values are in N/5cm.'
sources:
goodfellow-ptfe-glass:
title: Goodfellow, PTFE-coated glass fabric, 0.08 mm sample (SKU 1000113522), sizes page
id: Goodfellow product 1000113522, product code FP31-FC-000110
url: https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/ptfe-coated-glass-fabric-sizes-1000113522
year: 2026
kind: web
license: supplier web page, linked not reproduced
ang-pfister-5108:
title: Angst+Pfister Material Data Sheet, PTFE coated glass fabric, Type 5108
id: Angst+Pfister TDS 5108, issued 27.01.2025 (PDF text extracted from apsoparts.com copy)
url: https://apsoparts.com/media/downloads/asset//std.lang.all/c_/v1/TDS_5108_PTFE%20Coated%20Fabric_V1.pdf
year: 2025
kind: datasheet
license: manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced
wikipedia-beta-cloth:
title: Beta cloth, Wikipedia
id: Beta cloth article, lead, History and development, Spacecraft uses, Multi-layer insulation role
url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_cloth
year: 2026
kind: web
license: CC BY-SA 4.0, linked not reproduced
wikipedia-ptfe:
title: Polytetrafluoroethylene, Wikipedia
id: PTFE article, infobox, Production, Properties and Safety sections
url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytetrafluoroethylene
year: 2026
kind: web
license: CC BY-SA 4.0, linked not reproduced
wikipedia-mli:
title: Multi-layer insulation, Wikipedia
id: MLI article, Function and design section
url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-layer_insulation
year: 2026
kind: web
license: CC BY-SA 4.0, linked not reproduced
usgs-fluorspar-2026:
title: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Fluorspar
id: Fluorspar chapter, Domestic Production and Use, World Mine Production and Reserves, Events Trends and Issues (PDF text extracted)
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-fluorspar.pdf
year: 2026
kind: report
license: public domain (U.S. Government work)
nasa-tp-1999-209263:
title: NASA/TP-1999-209263, Multilayer Insulation Material Guidelines (Finckenor, Marshall Space Flight Center)
id: NTRS 19990047691; outer cover discussion and Table 1
url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19990047691/downloads/19990047691.pdf
year: 1999
kind: report
license: NASA technical report (public)
nasa-tm-1999-209575:
title: NASA/TM-1999-209575, Comparison of Observed Beta Cloth Interactions With Simulated and Actual Space Environment (Kamenetzky and Finckenor)
id: NTRS 19990103958; introduction on beta cloth durability in LEO
url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19990103958/downloads/19990103958.pdf
year: 1999
kind: report
license: NASA technical report (public)
story:
recipe:
line: PTFE-coated glass fabric is a plain-woven cloth of glass or silica fibre with a PTFE (Teflon) coating on the fibres. Wikipedia describes beta cloth as PTFE-impregnated silica fibre. The Goodfellow sample is printed as PTFE 75 / Glass 25, and Angst+Pfister gives a coating content of 55 % for Type 5108. The sources read do not describe the coating process.
parts:
- name: PTFE coating
share_note: Goodfellow formula printed as PTFE 75; Angst+Pfister coating 55 %
role: Coats the fibres. Wikipedia gives the PTFE repeat unit as -(F2C-CF2)n-, and says the coating reduces creasing and tearing of beta cloth.
- name: Glass or silica fibre
share_note: Goodfellow formula printed as Glass 25
role: Woven base cloth. Goodfellow calls it glass and Wikipedia calls it silica fibre, similar to glass fibre; the Wikipedia article says it melts only above 650 °C.
risk_groups:
- title: For people
lead: No safety data sheet for this product was read in this run, so no GHS classification is recorded.
level: 0
verdict: Not classified in the sources read; no safety sheet read
points:
- label: Handling
line: Angst+Pfister recommends indoor storage at about 20 °C and about 50 % relative humidity, and keeping the fabric away from direct sunlight and liquid water before use.
- title: If it fails
lead: The sources read give no failure test with a number for this fabric. Heat and atomic oxygen are the two limits they describe.
points:
- label: Heat
line: Wikipedia states that beta cloth melts only at temperatures exceeding 650 °C. Goodfellow prints an upper working temperature of 260 °C and Angst+Pfister an operating range of -73 to +260 °C.
- label: Atomic oxygen
line: Wikipedia states that the tight weave resists atomic oxygen. No erosion yield for this fabric was found.
why: 'PTFE-coated glass fabric is a woven glass or silica cloth coated with PTFE, the fluoropolymer also sold as Teflon. The Wikipedia article calls the silica-fibre version beta cloth. NASA adopted it after the 1967 Apollo 1 fire, and its outer layers of multi-layer insulation must be stronger than the thin inner films, which Wikipedia describes as often thicker plastic reinforced with a scrim such as fiberglass. The two datasheets read here describe different products: a 0.08 mm Goodfellow sample weighing 145 g/m2, and the 0.215 mm, 455 g/m2 Angst+Pfister Type 5108.'
can_do:
- label: Temperature range
value: '-73 to +260 °C'
line: Angst+Pfister gives an operating range of -73 to +260 °C for Type 5108. Goodfellow prints -130 to 260 °C for its 0.08 mm sample, so the lower limits differ between the two products.
- label: Tensile strength
value: 2500 N/5cm warp, typical
line: Angst+Pfister prints typical tensile strengths of 2500 N/5cm in warp and 1800 N/5cm in weft, tested to ISO 1421, with minimums of 2000 and 1300 N/5cm. Goodfellow's 0.08 mm sample is printed at 102 MPa.
- label: Electrical insulation
value: 5000 V typical
line: Angst+Pfister prints a typical dielectric breakdown of 5000 V, with a minimum of 2300 V under BS2782 part 2. Goodfellow prints surface and volume resistivity as lower bounds only.
- label: Melting threshold
value: Above 650 °C
line: The Beta cloth article states that the silica-fibre fabric melts only at temperatures above 650 °C. No datasheet melting value for the coated products was found.
compare: Among the flexible outer layers and covers in this collection, PTFE-coated glass fabric is a woven cloth rated to 260 °C as its upper working temperature in both datasheets. Its strength is directional, 2500 N/5cm in warp against 1800 N/5cm in weft, so warp and weft should be compared separately. The Goodfellow and Angst+Pfister figures are for different products and thicknesses, so read them as separate examples rather than as a ranking.
compare_rows:
- label: Density
benchmark: density
- label: Upper service temperature
benchmark: max_service_temp
- label: Tensile strength
benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
handling:
- Store indoors at about 20 °C and about 50 % relative humidity, away from direct sunlight and liquid water.
- Use within 18 months of the production date, as printed on the Angst+Pfister datasheet.
- Specify the product, since the Goodfellow sample and Angst+Pfister Type 5108 differ in thickness, weight and lower temperature limit.
good_for:
- Covers and outer layers that must hold up to 260 °C in use, printed as the upper working temperature by both suppliers.
- 'Release-coated surfaces: Angst+Pfister describes good release properties in demanding high-temperature applications.'
watch_out:
- 'Lower limit: -130 °C for the Goodfellow sample and -73 °C for Angst+Pfister Type 5108.'
- Concentrated acids are rated Poor by Goodfellow.
- No atomic oxygen erosion yield, outgassing or UV test for this fabric was found.
verdict: PTFE-coated glass fabric is a heat-resistant, release-coated cloth. Angst+Pfister Type 5108 and the Goodfellow sample both print a 260 °C upper working temperature, but their lower limits, thickness and weight differ. The strongest sourced values are the Angst+Pfister strengths and operating range. Hazard data are limited to Wikipedia's PTFE safety statements, supply is limited to the fluorspar feedstock chain, and no supplier safety data sheet or space-exposure test data for this fabric are in this profile.
References
Every number above carries a reference number. Click one to see the source and where in it the value comes from.
| # | Source | Type | Year | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodfellow, PTFE-coated glass fabric, 0.08 mm sample (SKU 1000113522), sizes page | web | 2026 | 9 values | |
| Angst+Pfister Material Data Sheet, PTFE coated glass fabric, Type 5108 | datasheet | 2025 | 13 values | |
| Beta cloth, Wikipedia | web | 2026 | 5 values | |
| Polytetrafluoroethylene, Wikipedia | web | 2026 | 2 values | |
| Multi-layer insulation, Wikipedia | web | 2026 | 0 values | |
| USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Fluorspar | report | 2026 | 1 value | |
| NASA/TP-1999-209263, Multilayer Insulation Material Guidelines (Finckenor, Marshall Space Flight Center) | report | 1999 | 1 value | |
| NASA/TM-1999-209575, Comparison of Observed Beta Cloth Interactions With Simulated and Actual Space Environment (Kamenetzky and Finckenor) | report | 1999 | 1 value |
Updated