Fiberglass fabric strengthens buildings around the world

In 1967, during a test exercise, a fire broke out in the Apollo 1 command module, which resulted in the destruction of the module and the death of three astronauts.

Engineers redesigned the Apollo module and looked for ways to improve the safety performance of nylon spacesuits. Space suits require outer components, which must be durable, strong, lightweight, flexible and non-flammable. Owens Corning collaborated with DuPont to propose a fabric called "Beta Cloth". The main component of this fabric is ultra-fine glass filaments, which are twisted into yarns, then woven into fabrics, and then coated with polytetrafluoroethylene. This fabric is proven to be non-flammable (melting point over 340 degrees Celsius) and durable enough to meet NASA's needs. Space agency will

The secondary fabric was applied to the outer protective layer of the space suit, which was used in the Apollo mission and the Skylab project. The PTFE fiberglass fabric layer provides both thermal protection and during lunar landing. After the tragedy, the new design shielded the sand and dust on the moon. Although the space suits currently used on the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station use Ortho-Fabric (a hybrid of GORE-TEX, Kevlar and Nomex) instead of PTFE fiberglass fabric, this original innovation has now become a unique part of the building.

In 1956, aeronautical engineer Walter Bird founded Bird Air Structures. Initially, Birdair focused on air-supported neoprene-coated nylon fabric structures, and its products were mainly used by the US military. In 1970, Birdair developed an air-supported vinyl-coated fiberglass fabric roof for the U.S. Pavilion at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan, leading the company to explore fiberglass fabrics for construction. In cooperation with Owens-Corning, DuPont and Chemical Fabrics Corporation, Bird Air has developed an improved and stronger PTFE fiberglass fabric for NASA. This fabric has been widely used in the field of lightweight, stretch membrane roof structures. Application, Birdair has played a pioneering role in this field.

    The same qualities that PTFE glass fiber fabric attracts NASA also make it an ideal choice for large permanent stretch membrane roofs. This material is stronger than steel and weighs less than 5 ounces per square foot. It provides up to 24% solar transmittance, while providing up to 75% solar reflectance, which means that the fabric can absorb natural light and retain heat, making it an energy-efficient roofing alternative.

It is also cost-effective due to its durability and low maintenance characteristics. It is estimated that a properly maintained Bird air roof can provide a service life of 30 to 35 years or longer, while traditional roofing materials (such as asphalt shingles or single-layer rubber) can provide a service life of 20 to 25 years. As a non-flammable fabric, PTFE fiberglass material is also safer than many roofing materials and can create confusing architectural forms.

    In 1973, Bird Air designed, manufactured and installed the world's first permanent stretch membrane roof system using PTFE fiberglass membranes, which was used in the Track and Field Hall of Raverna University in California. Thirty-six years later, the original structure remained in good condition. Other landmark projects include the Jeppesen terminal at Denver International Airport, the 105-acre Pilgrimage Pier in Saudi Arabia, the Reliant Stadium in Houston (the NFL’s first retractable roof); the 02/Millennium dome in London, England (22 acres) The fabric roof is located in the Sony Center in Berlin, Germany). The company has manufactured and installed more than 300 million square feet of PTFE fiberglass membranes in various projects.

Hebei Yuniu Fiberglass Manufacturing Company Limited is a fiberglass material manufacturer with over 10-year experience, 7- year exporting experience.

We are manufacturer of fiberglass raw materials, Such asfiberglass roving, fiberglass yarn, fiberglass chopped strand mat, fiberglass chopped strands, fiberglass black mat, fiberglass woven roving, fiberglass fabric, fiberglass cloth..And so on.

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