Ablative materials are used in thermal protection systems (TPS) to protect vehicles from extreme heat and other harsh environmental conditions during flight. While it’s common to use ablative cork, this isn’t necessarily the best or most efficient option for every application. On the other hand, high-performance products like Q Shield can maintain their ablative properties during launch, reentry, and subsequent launches, offering unique benefits that set them apart from traditional cork options.
Q Shield TPS consists of multiple layers, including a high-temperature-resistant top coating and an underlying layer of thermal insulation material. It features a lightweight construction and pre-painted exterior, supporting a wide range of missions and applications. Learn more about Q Shield and how it compares to cork materials in this brief guide.
Is Cork Ablative?
Cork is a common material choice in many applications due to its ablative properties. The cells in cork consist of small irregular-shaped prisms filled with air, allowing it to absorb a large amount of heat. P50 cork specifically comprises a blend of phenolic binders and ground cork that burns slowly under ignition while insulating the inner material. This material typically comes in small sheets of varying thicknesses.
The benefits of ablative cork include:
Reduced thermal conductivity
Low intercellular radiation
No intercellular convection
Ease of cutting and machining
While materials like P50 cork have been used historically, more modern solutions such as Q Shield offer many advantages for covering large areas or curved surfaces.
How Q Shield Surpasses Cork for TPS
Q Shield outperforms traditional cork materials in a number of areas while maintaining critical ablative and thermal properties. It is designed to endure multiple missions, protecting the vehicle from extreme heat, abrasion, and electrical disruption during launch and reentry. The durability of Q Shield also minimizes turnaround times, allowing you to quickly prepare for the next mission.
Q Shield’s reusability saves you money in a number of ways, including:
Reduced launch costs
Smaller fleets of reusable vehicles
Increased overall fleet profitability
Additionally, Q Shield is fully customizable and can include a pre-painted, ready-for-launch surface coating. This coating provides added benefits such as reduced labor and faster installation.
Q Shield vs. Cork: Choosing the Best Material for Your Project
Ultimately, the material you choose depends on your team’s unique requirements. While applications often use P50 cork because of its machinability and low thermal conductivity, Q Shield offers certain advantages that you won’t find with cork. The following are some of the top benefits that can make it a superior alternative:
A range of customizable features and surface coatings
Reliable thermal protection over several missions
Minimized labor
Pre-painted, ready-for-launch surface coatings that eliminate the need for long cure times
These highly durable reusable thermal protection materials allow for a smaller, more profitable fleet with lower launch costs.
See the below images to see the how Q Shield remains intact after torch tests at 836 degrees Fahrenheit and 2,106 degrees Fahrenheit
Protecting power cables is crucial to prevent water ingress and maintain signal integrity. Tex Tech’s water-blocking yarn is an innovative solution designed to protect these cables. Its lightweight design and ease of use make it a preferred choice for manufacturers looking to improve cable durability without adding unnecessary bulk.
How to Protect Power and Data Cables with Swellable Yarn
Tex Tech’s water-blocking yarn works in several key ways to safeguard sensitive components like wiring assemblies, data cables, and electronic systems. It expands upon contact with water,swelling to absorb moisture. As it expands, it also prevents further water penetration.
Water-blocking yarn from Tex Tech has numerous features that make it ideal for various power and data cable applications:
High Swell Rate. Absorbs water quickly to prevent water ingress.
Quick Absorption. Can swell up to 300% to absorb moisture.
High Tensile Strength. Provides durability under stress.
Sustainability. Made using 70% recycled fiber.
Effective Water-Blocking. Maintains cable integrity in harsh environments.
Tex Tech developed OASIS yarn to deliver superior strength and absorption. This yarn can swell up to 300% to seal cable gaps and keep more moisture from entering. It ranges from 450 denier to 270,000 denier and is durable enough for low, medium, and high-voltage cables.
Installation
Installing our water-blocking yarn is precise and systematic. It will typically include the following steps:
Fiber stranding. Individual fibers are bundled together in a central core.
Water-blocking yarn application. Our yarn, which has inherent water-absorbing properties, wraps around the fiber core.
Buffer tube application. The core is then encased in a protective buffer tube for additional security.
Cable sheathing. An outer sheath of materials such as polyethylene or PVC can be used to provide a final layer of protection.
Tex Tech’s spun yarn provides the right level of exposure protection for each application. Compared to coated yarns, they reduce shedding and dusting during manufacturing to create a cleaner workspace.
Applications
Our versatile water-blocking yarns offer essential protection for electronic goods across numerous industries. Tex Tech yarns can be used in various cables and materials, including:
Conductors. Our water-blocking yarns can prevent water-induced damage in electrical systems.
Data cables. Our specially designed yarns help maintain signal integrity in damp environments.
Power cables. Water-blocking yarns protect sensitive strands to ensure reliable signal transmission.
Fillers and wraps for multicore cables. The yarn’s water-absorbing fibers expand upon contact with water to form a robust barrier.
Power cables. Water-blocking yarns from Tex Tech minimize water-related signal degradation.
Learn More About Water-Blocking Yarns
As an industry leader in high-performance textiles, Tex Tech offers solutions that reflect a commitment to quality and innovation. Our water-blocking yarn products are known for delivering industry-leading performance and protection, with applications ranging from Power cables to data cables and conductors.
Composite is a carefully fabricated blend of two or more different materials. Carbon composite is a great example of a high-performing composite material. The structural makeup of the composite makes it incredibly stiff, strong, and lightweight. As a result, manufacturers can safely use carbon composite in industries such as automotive design, aerospace, and defense.
Learn more about the applications of carbon composite, its unique benefits, and how this innovative material is making waves in major industries.
Applications of Carbon Composites
Tex Tech partners with organizations across major industries to create innovative new products powered by carbon composite. Carbon composite solutions are highly sought after in the following industries:
Aerospace and Defense
Aerospace applications require lightweight components that can withstand extreme conditions. Using carbon composite in rockets, spacecraft, and aircraft makes final assemblies lighter, stronger, and more efficient. Our Thermax® line of carbon composite products offer additional thermal protection for components used in aerospace assemblies.
Automotive
Cars with lighter components run more efficiently. Lightweight carbon composite components can increase fuel efficiency and performance without compromising safety. Additionally, these parts can be designed to withstand high temperature exposures.
High-Performance Materials
Manufacturers rely on high-performance materials for the production of racing car parts, medical implants, sporting goods, and more. Our materials can be designed to meet your specific requirements.
Protective Apparel
Carbon composite can also shield wearers and even save lives when used in apparel, firefighter face masks, and other safety gear. Our CarbonX products are designed to protect the wearer against threats encountered when performing your missions.
Advantages of Using Tex Tech Carbon Composites
Carbon composite boasts superior properties. Carbon composite uses high-strength carbon fibers embedded in a resin matrix to create products that are stronger, stiffer, and more resilient than ever before. By using carbon composite, you can enjoy its numerous advantages:
Versatile Design. The lighter weight of our materials allows for more intricate and complex part designs for standalone parts or larger assemblies.
Enhanced Durability. Carbon composite isn’t just stronger than its base materials. This composite is also more resistant to heat, chemicals, corrosion, and fatigue.
Exceptional Stiffness. A resin matrix and web of carbon fibers lend carbon composite its strength and stiffness. It is less vulnerable to deforming, bending, or breaking, even in heavy construction applications.
Greater Strength. A higher strength-to-weight ratio means your parts can carry more load with less material. Carbon composites combine the lightness of aluminum with the strength of stainless steel.
Tex Tech: Your Partner for Carbon Composites
When you work with Tex Tech, you partner with the most dedicated, innovative people in the business. Our team is experienced in developing carbon fibers, resins, and carbon composite products for use in diverse applications. We adhere to the strictest quality standards, guaranteeing consistent performance and reliability in every product.
Reach out today to learn more about our continued investment in research and development or request a quote to start your own project.
The aviation landscape is continuously evolving, increasing the demand for advanced materials to serve new projects. A leading material in the industry is polyurethane-coated fabrics, which offer various properties that make them an exceptional choice for airships. They are high-performance fabrics that can advance the field of lighter-than-air (LTA) vehicles safely and sustainably.
Although airship technology is not new, it is getting renewed attention due to its low carbon emissions and ability to load or unload cargo without requiring costly ground infrastructure like roads or airports. Using hybrid-electric power and helium for lift, modern airships are key to the future of sustainable travel and transport, particularly for delivering cargo to remote areas. Key players in the airship industry, such as Flying Whales and LTA Research, are poised to make airships more accessible within several years.
Learn why polyurethane-coated fabrics are an ideal material to support this burgeoning technology.
A Shift Towards Polyurethane-Coated Fabrics
The airship industry traditionally relied on PFAS-coated fabrics, including perfluorooctane sulfonates (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). However, these coatings have become known as “forever chemicals” that do not break down in the environment or human body, where they can cause health and environmental problems. These findings have prompted a transition to safe and sustainable options like polyurethane-coated fabrics.
Why Polyurethane-Coated Fabrics for Airships?
PFOA- and PFAS-free materials like polyurethane-coated fabrics deliver a combination of unique properties to offer an ideal solution for airship applications:
Highly Durable: Polyurethane-coated fabrics can withstand the harsh environments present in air travel, resisting wear, tearing, and abrasion damage.
Impenetrable to Helium: The fabrics have a long lifespan and maintain buoyancy in the air by providing a leakproof, helium-tight barrier.
Weather-Resistant: Polyurethane-coated fabrics allow the airship envelope to withstand harsh environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures and UV exposure.
Flame-Retardant: The polyurethane coating can be made with flame retardancy to enhance the safety of the airship.
Flexible and Lightweight: Polyurethane-coated fabrics are flexible and lightweight, permitting airship manufacturers to produce aerodynamic shapes and minimize overall vehicle weight.
Non-Breathable: Fabrics coated with polyurethane are impermeable to moisture and air, meaning that they maintain optimal air quality and prevent condensation inside the airship.
Tex Tech: Leading the Way in Polyurethane-Coated Fabrics
At Tex Tech Industries, we are a leader in developing polyurethane-coated fabrics for the manufacture of advanced airship envelope materials. Our polyurethane coatings are flexible, lightweight, and non-breathable to deliver optimal helium retention, which supports prolonged flight times. Our commitment to sustainability and innovation has made us a trusted leader in supplying high-performance materials to airship manufacturers.
The Future of Airship Technology and Polyurethane-Coated Fabrics
As the airship industry evolves, polyurethane-coated fabrics will be a driving force in sustainability and the creation of versatile LTA vehicles. Polyurethane-coated fabrics are crucial in growing the capabilities of airships and unlocking new airship applications, including scientific research, passenger travel, surveillance, and cargo transportation.
Learn More About Polyurethane-Coated Fabrics
As the airship industry expands, manufacturers are seeking PFAS- and PFOA-free fabrics to reduce the environmental and health impact of their operations without compromising the safety and performance of their vehicles. Polyurethane-coated fabrics are a leading sustainable alternative that offers performance similar to traditional PFAS- and PFOA-coated fabrics. The material is durable, weather- and flame-resistant, leak-free, and lightweight. The growing adoption of polyurethane-coated materials will help expand the applications of LTA vehicles in the future.
Tex Tech is a specialty fabric and textile designer and manufacturer. We develop innovative material solutions for critical industries, including aerospace, defense, automotive, filtration, and medical. Contact us or request a quote to speak with a specialist about our polyurethane-coated fabrics for the airship industry.
Space exploration involves exposure to incredibly harsh conditions, and missions involving re-entry face the biggest challenges of all. Whenever spacecraft and payloads must re-enter the earth’s atmosphere, special solutions must be in place to ensure it can withstand the high temperatures and speed it will be exposed to. Heat shields provide this protection, and play a multifaceted role during re-entry.
In this article, we’ll answer the question, “What does a heat shield do?” and take a closer look at the design components that make heat shields able to withstand space environments.
What Does a Heat Shield Do?
A heat shield’s role is to protect the spacecraft during the re-entry phase of a mission. Heat shields act as insulators – redirecting, reflecting, or absorbing the extreme heat generated as the spacecraft re-enters the Earth’s atmosphere. They also help the spacecraft slow down to below supersonic velocities. This is the first and most crucial phase of landing a vehicle safely, either to protect human passengers or to ensure a passengerless vehicle can later be reused.
Understanding the Environmental Conditions of Re-Entry
During the re-entry phase of a mission, the spacecraft is exposed to high levels of radiation, drastic temperature variations, and friction from atmospheric particles. During this time, the spacecraft will exceed speeds of over 7 kilometers per second and experience external surface temperatures of over 1,600 °C. Reliable shielding mechanisms are needed to ensure these conditions do not destroy the spacecraft and its payload.
The Function of Heat Shields in Space
Heat shields can be thought of as the first line of defense for a spacecraft during re-entry. During descent, an immense amount of kinetic energy is generated. Heat shields help safely dissipate this, preventing extreme overheating that would result in structural damage. There are multiple types of heat shields currently used in space missions, as well as experimental technology still in development.
Thermal protection systems, radiative cooling, and ablative shields are three different methods of efficiently managing thermal loads:
Thermal protection systems (TPS). Using a variety of insulating materials, such as ceramics or carbon composites, these systems provide a protective barrier against high temperatures.
Radiative cooling. Radiative cooling is a passive cooling method that dissipates heat to ensure optimal internal temperatures.
Ablative heat shields. This type of heat shield features a layer of plastic resin that burns off during re-entry, creating a gaseous reaction that lifts heat away from the shield’s outer wall.
Key Components and Design Configurations
Heat shield design involves careful consideration of aerodynamics, spacecraft structure, and mission-specific requirements. To begin, the heat shield must be designed in an aerodynamic shape that will minimize drag and compression during descent.
When an object enters the Earth’s atmosphere, it experiences friction, or drag, that creates extreme mechanical stress. The heat shield should feature a structure that mitigates these effects. Material durability and shield structural integrity are other important considerations. Heat shields must be made from high-performance yet lightweight materials that minimize the spacecraft’s overall mass while being able to withstand the rigors of space travel.
Challenges and Innovations in Heat Shield Technology
While many advancements have been made in heat shield technology, there are still many challenges that persist. Developing solutions that meet weight restrictions while providing reliable thermal protection is an ongoing issue. However, research has been driving innovation in this field, and there are many promising new technologies.
Advancements in materials science are creating new, more lightweight, and durable composites that can enhance heat shield performance. At the same time, additive manufacturing allows for the creation of more complex geometries and highly customized heat shield designs. At Tex Tech, we develop advanced thermal protection systems using innovative textile products.
Heat Shield Solutions From Tex Tech
Space heat shields are essential for protecting astronauts and spacecraft during the re-entry phase of space exploration missions. As one of the most thoroughly researched areas of the aerospace industry, there are many options available to create a reliable thermal protection system, and new innovations are being made every day.
At Tex Tech, we’re committed to delivering the most advanced heat shield solutions, backed by over a century of experience. To learn more about our products for the aerospace industry, contact us or request a quote today.
Sustainability is a critical consideration in developing textiles for the dry filtration and aerospace industries. Many textile manufacturers are growing more conscious of the coatings used in their materials and are looking for more sustainable alternatives to fabrics that contain perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Here, we’ll explore what PFOA/PFAS-free fabrics are and where you can find them.
Understanding PFOA/PFAS Chemicals
PFAS includes various per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluoro octane sulfonate (PFOS), and more. While these chemicals were once approved by the EPA, they have recently been under rigorous scrutiny. Emerging studies have linked PFAS/PFOA to unwanted health and environmental effects.
At Tex Tech Industries, we are leading the way with PFOA and PFAS-free textiles made with environmentally friendly coating materials. These fabrics offer a sustainable solution for aircraft and dry filtration applications without sacrificing performance.
What Are PFOA/PFAS-Free Fabrics?
PFOA and PFAS-free fabrics are textiles manufactured with alternative materials to PFOA and PFAS chemicals. These fabrics offer numerous benefits, such as being non-toxic, eco-friendly, and sustainable. PFOA/PFAS-free fabrics come in various types, ranging from natural options like organic hemp or cotton to synthetic alternatives made with highly advanced, safe coatings.
Where to Find PFOA/PFAS-Free Fabrics
PFOA/PFAS-free fabrics are commonly found in various industries, including:
Aerospace. PFOA/PFAS-free fabrics are widely used in the aerospace industry for applications like aircraft interior components and flame-resistant upholstery. The textiles provide enhanced safety without introducing hazardous chemicals into critical aerospace environments. Newer alternative textiles feature similar water, stain, and oil repellency to PFAS fabrics.
Dry Filtration and Separation. The dry filtration and separation industry requires quality fabrics capable of trapping and filtering particles from the air as it passes through the filter. These fabrics are commonly made with PFOA/PFAS-free materials to reduce harm to people and the environment.
Tips for Identifying PFOA/PFAS-Free Fabrics
If you need PFOA/PFAS-free fabrics for your application, there are a couple of key things to look for. Be sure to select materials that feature certifications on their labels, such as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or OEKO-TEX Standard 100. These certifications signify a commitment to safe and sustainable textile manufacturing practices.
PFOA/PFAS-Free Fabrics From Tex Tech Industries
PFOA and PFAS chemicals can harm the environment and negatively impact personal health. As such, textile manufacturers like Tex Tech Industries have moved away from these chemicals in favor of safe, sustainable, and eco-friendly alternatives. With nearly a century of experience in the textile industry, the experts at Tex Tech can work with customers to deliver high-performance PFOA/PFAS-free fabric solutions for aircraft and dry filtration applications.
To aid in contributing to a greener and healthier future, contact Tex Tech today to learn more about our PFOA/PFAS-free fabrics. You can also request a quote to get started on your custom textile solution.
Fluorocarbons are a group of synthetic organic compounds with unique properties that make them useful in various industries. They are used in household and commercial products such as lubricants, sealants, waterproofing agents, and leather conditioners. While fluorocarbons have become an integral part of our modern world, their widespread use has raised concerns about their toxicity and environmental impact.
Here, we’ll delve into what fluorocarbons are and explore whether they pose a threat to our health and the environment.
What Are Fluorocarbons?
Fluorocarbons are compounds that contain fluorine and carbon. The bonds between carbon and fluorine are very strong and stable, giving fluorocarbons resistance to chemicals, heat, and electricity.
Fluorocarbons come in different forms with distinct chemical compositions, the most common of which include:
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Fluorocarbons are used in everyday consumer products as well as industrial processes. They are found in aerosol propellants, refrigerants, non-stick coatings, electrical insulation, and firefighting foams.
Fluorocarbon Toxicity
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were once widely used in aerosol propellants and refrigerants. However, they have gained notoriety for their role in ozone depletion. This discovery has raised questions about the potential of certain fluorocarbons to harm the environment.
Research has revealed that man-made fluorocarbons don’t break down, accumulating in the environment and persisting in the atmosphere for extended periods of time. Fluorocarbons also accumulate in the bodies of humans and animals. As a result, long-term exposure may result in severe health risks, including chronic respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Today, manufacturers around the globe are putting sustainability at the forefront of their operations to prevent further damage to the environment and to protect human health. At Tex Tech, we are aware of the dangers and are striving to make a positive impact by following the changing regulations related to fluorocarbons. Tex Tech has developed alternative PFAS-free chemistries that meet our customers requirements while also enabling us to be better stewards of the environment.
Regulation and Mitigation of Fluorocarbons
Due to international agreements like the Montreal Protocol, the use of many harmful fluorocarbons has been discontinued. Many countries also have national and local restrictions on the use of these chemicals.
As the dangers associated with fluorocarbons come to light, safer products are being developed to take their place. These alternatives include natural refrigerants, hydrocarbons, and water-based firefighting foams. Using safer alternatives reduces the environmental and health risks associated with fluorocarbon use. Ongoing research efforts focus on developing even safer, more sustainable alternative materials and practices to replace fluorocarbons across all industries.
Consider Safer Alternatives to Fluorocarbons
Fluorocarbons have long been a component in many household and industrial products. However, the potential dangers of fluorocarbons outweigh their benefits. Studies show that fluorocarbons pose substantial risks to the environment and can cause serious health conditions. As a result, regulations are pushing manufacturers to shift to more environmentally friendly chemicals.
Tex Tech is a global leader in the development, prototyping, and production of high-performance textiles for use in the most challenging environments. Our research team constantly works to create innovative, creative, safe, and sustainable solutions for all of our customer’s needs. Contact us to learn more about the sustainability of our products, or request a quote to get started on a solution for your application.
The coated-fabrics industry has realized significant growth in the past decade, largely propelled by the rising safety standards in the aerospace, protective clothing, and transportation industries. This discussion goes into depth about coated fabrics, highlighting the different types of coatings for specific applications.
Coated Fabrics Explained
Coated fabrics can be made from woven, knit, and non-woven textiles to which a polymer or resin is applied to impart additional characteristics. This can be done to:
Generate greater protection such as corrosion resistance, strength, thermal resistance, durability, abrasion resistance, etc.
Coatings can also be used to make materials capable of being welded or to make them air or water-holding or resistant.
Commonly used coatings include:
Urethane
Silicone
Solvated rubber
PVC
Acrylic
Depending on their end-use, coated fabrics can offer numerous benefits. For example, they can be anti-fungal, anti-static, or antibacterial. They can also provide the following:
Resistance to environmental challenges
High visibility
Enhanced elasticity
Improved weldability
Polymer Coated Fabric
Depending on specific material requirements, different substrates can be selected to cater to desired end-product attributes. The correct polymer system can then be selected and the coating can be applied to one or both sides depending on their intended use. Examples of such fabrics are:
Wovens (2D and 3D)
Non-wovens
Weft-knits
Warp-knits
Circular knits
Polymer coatings represent a wide selection of polymer-based materials with unique functions. Popular polymers include:
Rubber polymers
Silicone
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
PVC
Coated fabrics are used to enhance the properties of dynamic fabric products, providing benefits such as antimicrobial properties, metallic or electrically conductive attributes, and even phase-change capabilities. With the advancement of coating technology, smart textiles are becoming increasingly prevalent, allowing fabrics to be more reactive to electrical impulses and electronic commands.
Rubber Coated Fabric
Rubber-coated fabrics are manufactured using calendar coating or spread coating processes. Bonding agents are applied to the fabric substrate. Different rubber compounds can be used to coat the fabric depending on the product’s intended use.
The coated fabrics then undergo a curating process to strengthen the bond between the rubber and the fabric. Advantages of rubber-coated fabrics include:
Great stability
Durability
Low penetration and diffusion
Electrically non-conductive
Temperature, oil, and weather resistant
Silicone Coated Fabric
Silicone is an outstanding polymer for enhancing a fabric’s heat resistance and providing anti-stick or anti-slip properties. It is also chemically inert and can resist water absorption. Popular uses include aerospace Thermal Protection Systems, gaskets, airbag fabrics, thermal insulation barriers, medical coatings, and more. Some of the top benefits of silicone-coated fabrics include:
Silicone has superior dielectric properties
Silicone offers excellent resistance to weather, chemicals, ozone, and aging
Silicone is neutral, non-toxic, and non-stick
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) Coated Fabric
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a very versatile polymer that offers increased durability, flexibility, tensile strength, or make your coated fabrics hold air or water, and many other performance enhancements. Depending on your specific requirements, the compound can be designed using softer TPU’s, such as polyether or polyester, or harder compounds utilizing aromatic or aliphatic urethanes.
TPU coating compounds can be water-based or solvent-based. Solvent-based coatings have strong adhesion to fabrics which is ideal for products that will utilize welded seams. These PU-coated materials are ideal for applications that need to be air or water holding. PU-coated fabrics are commonly used in medical fabrics (blood pressure cuffs, cold therapy devices, etc), defense materials for air/water sealing (ballistic vest heat weldable materials, anti g-suit bladders, life vests/rafts), recreation markets (SCUBA buoyancy compensators, life vests, sporting pads).
PVC Laminated Fabrics
PVC coatings offer enhanced abrasion resistance, durability, flexibility and weather resistance. These materials are commonly used for architectural applications, tents, geomembranes, or inflatable structures. PVC offers a cost effective solution that is a good solution in acidic applications or applications involving food or drinking water.
Note that applying a finishing topcoat offers better resistance against dirt particles. Other finish coatings offer UV resistance, making the fabric more durable.
High-Performance Coated Fabrics from Tex Tech
At Tex Tech, we pride ourselves in our ability to seamlessly integrate process engineering and material design to produce a final coated product that will make your product stand out in today’s marketplace.
We specialize in coating fabrics with a wide selection of polymer-based materials such as PVC, polyurethane, silicone, rubber, and more. Contact us today for more information about our services and to request a quote.
NASA utilizes thousands of materials to build the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft. As part of the Artemis program, Tex Tech is a supplier of materials used as a thermal ablative material in the Space Launch System’s solid-fueled rocket nozzles on the SRB (solid rocket booster) and Orion’s LAS (launch abort system).
What is a Thermal Protection System?
Thermal protection systems are crucial components in aircraft and space orbiters, serving to regulate temperatures, especially during reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere. Made up of a combination of high-temperature-resistant surface fabric and thermal insulation, these systems protect the outer structure and its contents from both intense heat and cold temperatures encountered at high altitudes. The TPS helps maintain appropriate temperatures, preserving the airframe and ensuring safe and successful missions.
Thermal protective systems are produced using:
Ablative assemblies
3D textiles
Current TPS products
Legacy TPS products
Felt Reusable Surface Insulation (FRSI)
Tile Bonding
Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC)
Infused Stabilized Abrasive Insulation Felt
Multi-layer Felt Hybrids (MFH)
Tex Tech Industries supplies material used to form an ablative structure inside solid-fueled rocket nozzles. It protects the metal structure of the vehicle from the extreme heat generated during the launch.
Why Thermal Protection is Critical for the Future of Orion and the Artemis Program
NASA’s Artemis program is an effort to put astronauts on the lunar surface with the goal of developing an ongoing presence there. The most challenging objective of the Artemis mission is to utilize the moon as a stepping stone for a future mission to Mars.
As the exploration vehicle for the program, the Orion spacecraft has been designed with the utmost care and attention to detail, incorporating over 50 years of spaceflight research and development. The first integrated mission, Artemis I, will see an uncrewed Orion venture thousands of miles beyond the moon over a period of about six weeks. Artemis I will lay the foundation for future missions, including the launch of Artemis II, where the Orion spacecraft will serve as the crew’s transport to space. The Orion will not only transport the astronauts, but it will also provide the necessary support for their missions and offer emergency abort capabilities in case of an unforeseen event. The spacecraft is designed to ensure a safe return from deep space with its capabilities for re-entry from high velocities.
One of the most critical components of the Orion spacecraft is its thermal protection system, which is responsible for protecting both the spacecraft and the future astronauts it will carry from the dangers of deep space travel. The success of the thermal protection system is essential to the success of future missions.
Learn More About Thermal Protections Systems with Tex Tech
The aerospace and aviation industries rely on thermal protection systems to guard against the extreme heat and cold associated with the launch of spacecraft, high altitudes, and atmospheric re-entry conditions. Tex Tech Industries develops thermal protection systems that meet rigorous demands and can perform reliably under intense conditions.
For over a hundred years, Tex Tech has been a leading manufacturer of technical textiles. The company continues to be at the cutting edge of innovation in high-performance textiles. We deliver individualized solutions for the most challenging applications.
Many workers are presented with thermal hazards such as molten metals, arc flash, hot liquids, and flame. In environments where these hazards are present, flame-resistant (FR) personal protective equipment (PPE) is of paramount importance. When selecting such gear there are many important terms that one may be confronted with. The most common distinction is inherent fabric vs. treated fabrics.
A piece of protective equipment can be classified as an inherent fabric if it is woven using some percentage of a fiber that is itself chemically flame-resistant. These are generally oxidized fibers or fibers synthetically derived from petrochemicals that have been chemically altered. In such garments, the flame-resistant properties are inherently present in the fiber’s polymer structure and can never be lost due to washing the garment.
Protective equipment may be labeled as a treated fabric if fibers have been chemically treated to achieve FR properties, either before weaving or as a chemical finish on the garment. Some treated fabrics can lose their FR capabilities over time or with frequent or improper washing, although advances in the FR field have produced treated fabrics that retain their protective qualities for the entire lifetime of the product. The first such treated fabric was introduced in 1987, and the difference in efficacy between treated and inherent FR fabrics has been shrinking ever since. Even so, many purchasers of FR equipment turn instead to inherent fabrics or inherently flame retardant fabric due to the ongoing misconception that all treated FR garments will lose their protective properties over time.
Inherent vs. Heat Treated Fabrics
Heat-treated fabrics are materials made from the addition of flame-retardant chemicals to provide some level of flame resistance. The additive forms a strong bond with the polymer of the fiber, which is often itself not flame-resistant. This bond is difficult or impossible to remove when proper laundering and care is applied. One potential pitfall of such gear is that there is no way to visually inspect that the FR quality of the equipment is intact. If outside the useful lifetime of the equipment, or if improperly laundered, the FR qualities may be reduced or removed with almost no way to determine that this has happened.
This problem is not present with inherent FR fabrics, as the chemical properties of the fibers themselves cannot be washed out. This may cause inherent fabrics to sell at higher costs since they typically offer longer useful lifetimes. Since there is no regulatory body governing the use of this term, however, it has often been applied loosely—often to garments containing no more than 15% FR fibers blended with naturally flammable fibers. Some garments that are woven of natural fibers treated before the weaving process have even been marketed as inherent, so to some extent, the term has lost meaning.
Inherent FR Fabrics: Pros and Cons
The primary advantages of inherent FR fabrics include:
Garments will not ignite in normal O2 concentrations
May char or expand (typically garments created with oxidized fibers) to provide increased thermal resistance under continuous exposure to a thermal hazard
Lightweight
The most notable disadvantages of inherent FR fabrics include:
Higher upfront cost (albeit offset by longer useful lifetime)
Purportedly less comfortable than some treated fabrics of cotton or other cellulosic origins
Inconsistency in application of the term ‘inherent fabric’ or ‘inherently flame retardant fabric’ that is often driven by marketing motives, rather than science and metrics relating to performance
Treated FR Fabrics: Pros and Cons
Here are some of the primary advantages of treated FR fabrics:
Cheaper than most inherent garments
Many available treated fabrics now provide life-of-garment FR protection
Generally considered more comfortable
Many available treated fabrics now only char similar to inherent fabrics, rather than combusting when exposed to a heat source
Most treated fabrics will spontaneously extinguish a flame when the source of heat is removed
The largest disadvantages of treated fabrics include:
Some treated fabrics will lose their protective qualities over time
Some treated fabrics off-gas as a method of flame retardancy, producing harmful gases that in some cases include gaseous cyanide
Many treated fabrics use increased mass as a means of increasing FR metrics such as TPP, which can increase heat strain and decrease comfort when wearing a heavier garment for extended periods
Some 88% cotton, 12% nylon (88/12 FR) and 100% cotton blends, in particular, lose their protective qualities over time with even proper laundering
If the flame-resistant capabilities have diminished, there is no way to tell upon visual inspection
Tex Tech: The Industry Leaders in FR Fabric Technology
Even with an understanding of the differences and usages of terms such as treated and inherent, the key factor is ultimately the safety and protective value offered to the wearer. In this regard, a more important distinction is proven vs. unproven. Tex Tech and our CarbonX brand have repeatedly proven effective in laboratory testing, as well as in the field—all with the added benefits of comfort and affordability. We work primarily with inherent fabrics.
CarbonX’s range hoods, gloves, undergarments, and other protective garments for industrial, motor-racing, and firefighting are superior in comfort and durability and made with inherent FR fibers.
Tex Tech provides aircraft seat fire blocking with only inherent fibers—and nothing else blended in—that lasts for many years on an airplane
Tex Tech offers high-tech Thermal Protection System (TPS) fabrics and materials for space launch vehicles to withstand rocket burn and the thermal stresses of re-entry
Tex Tech Industries has been a leader in the advanced textile industry for over a century. Throughout this time, we have devoted enormous resources to research and development in the areas of textile and fiber solutions. We have pioneered more than 7,000 of the best performing products in the marketplace and a wide range of high-performance materials.
Tex Tech Industries Inc. is a leading developer and supplier of high-performance materials globally, and we are committed to providing innovative solutions for each of our customers. We serve wide-ranging industries, including aerospace, protective apparel, automotive, law enforcement, coatings, filtration, 3D weaving, and high-performance materials. Contact us today to learn more about our offerings, or request a quote to get started.
