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.

8 sources · Updated 2026-11-01 · CC BY 4.0

Evidence level

2 of 5

Lab-measured

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)

Key properties of PTFE-coated glass fabric (Teflon-coated fibreglass)
PropertyValueBasis
Density2.08 g/cm³1 sourced value
Tensile strength102 MPa3 sourced values across conditions
Melting pointat least 650 °C1 sourced value
Maximum service temperature260 °C2 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.

What PTFE-coated glass fabric (Teflon-coated fibreglass) is made of
IngredientShare of the weightWhat 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.

Benchmarks
MeasurementPTFE-coated glass fabric (Teflon-coated fibreglass)
Voltage and potential
Dielectric breakdown, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 51085000 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 sample0.08 mm6
Fabric weight, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample145 g/m27
Total PTFE coated fabric weight, Angst+Pfister Type 5108Value printed on the datasheet455 g/m2
Other measurements
Tensile strength, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample102 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 sample260 °C5
Operating temperature lower limit, Angst+Pfister Type 5108-73 °C8
Operating temperature upper limit, Angst+Pfister Type 5108260 °C9
Coating content, Angst+Pfister Type 5108Value printed on the datasheet55 %
Tensile strength, warp, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 51082500 N/5cm10
Tensile strength, weft, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 51081800 N/5cm11
Tear strength, warp, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 510840 N12
Coating adhesion strength, Angst+Pfister Type 510830 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.

Notes for the numbered rows
#MeasurementMethodConditionsCaveat
1Density, PTFE-coated glass fabric (Goodfellow 0.08 mm sample)Value printed on the product page, Physical Properties tabproduct PTFE-coated glass fabric, 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522temperature not printed—
2Tensile strength, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sampleValue printed on the product page, Mechanical Properties tab; no test standard printedproduct 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522test not printed on the page—
3Elongation at break, Goodfellow 0.08 mm samplePrinted as less than 8 percent on the product pageproduct 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522test not printed on the page—
4Lower working temperature, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sampleValue printed on the product page as lower working temperatureproduct 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522basis working temperature as printed, not a test value—
5Upper working temperature, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sampleValue printed on the product page as upper working temperatureproduct 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522basis working temperature as printed, not a test value—
6Thickness, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sampleValue printed on the product page, Details sectionproduct 0.08 mm sample, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522tolerance as printed plus or minus 25 %—
7Fabric weight, Goodfellow 0.08 mm sampleValue printed on the product page, Details sectionproduct 0.08 mm sample, plain weave, Goodfellow SKU 1000113522—
8Operating temperature lower limit, Angst+Pfister Type 5108Value printed on the datasheet, Operating Temperature rowproduct Type 5108 PTFE coated fabricbasis operating temperature as printed, not a test value—
9Operating temperature upper limit, Angst+Pfister Type 5108Value printed on the datasheet, Operating Temperature rowproduct Type 5108 PTFE coated fabricbasis operating temperature as printed, not a test value—
10Tensile strength, warp, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 5108Typical value printed on the datasheet; minimum 2000 N/5cm printed alongsidedirection warpvalue basis typicaltest standard ISO 1421strip width 5 cm as printed in N/5cm—
11Tensile strength, weft, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 5108Typical value printed on the datasheet; minimum 1300 N/5cm printed alongsidedirection weftvalue basis typicaltest standard ISO 1421strip width 5 cm as printed in N/5cm—
12Tear strength, warp, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 5108Typical value printed on the datasheet; minimum 25 N printed alongsidedirection warpvalue basis typicaltest standard ISO 9073-4—
13Coating adhesion strength, Angst+Pfister Type 5108Typical value printed on the datasheet; minimum 25 N/5cm printed alongsidevalue basis typicaltest standard ISO 2411strip width 5 cm as printed in N/5cm—
14Dielectric breakdown, typical, Angst+Pfister Type 5108Typical value printed on the datasheet; minimum 2300 V printed alongsidevalue basis typicaltest standard BS2782 part 2—
15Melting threshold of silica-fibre beta clothStatement in the Wikipedia lead section; the article gives no test methodbasis statement about beta cloth (silica fibre coated with Teflon), not a datasheet value for the coated fabric in this profileWikipedia 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.

Corrosion and compatibility
EnvironmentConcernWhat 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
Corrosion details
#EnvironmentDetailsTest 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.

Updated