ASTROQUARTZ® FABRICS
JPS Composite Materials created the Astroquartz® line of fabrics in 1964 to support the NASA Gemini and Apollo missions. Since then, Astroquartz® has established itself as the recognized leader in pure (99.9% +) silica grade fabrics, offering unparalleled electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties.
Astroquartz® Fabric
Today, Astroquartz® plays a number of critical roles in the aerospace industry, improving connectivity in commercial and military aircraft, providing durable shielding for orbital and Martian explorers, and protecting temperature-sensitive components from the heat of reentry.
JPS was the first to bring high-purity silica fabric to the aerospace industry, and we remain the world leader in quartz fabric production for composite applications. Whatever your application, we are proud to offer an AMS 3846-certified fabric that meet your needs.
Astroquartz® is a high-performance fabric composed of 99.99% pure fused silica yarn – a synthetic material with the best thermal performance of any glass. Fused silica offers the electrical, optical, and thermal performance found with naturally occurring quartz materials, but with the added benefit of superior ultraviolet transmissibility.
To produce Astroquartz® fabric, JPS weaves silica glass yarns according to application-based pattern and specifications. The production process includes a tightly controlled yarn preparation process, slashing, and weaving that together yield a durable fabric with a superior surface. After weaving, the fabric is finished with a coupling agent that improves resin wet out and the strength of the fabric-to-resin interface. The standard Astroquartz® fabric finish was carefully engineered to optimize the mechanical, thermal, and electrical characteristics of the fabric. Specialty finishes are also available to suit custom applications.
Astroquartz® II and III Fabrics
Astroquartz® II and III Fabrics offer superior properties, critical for the aerospace and defense industries, including but not limited to:
- Low Dielectric Constant
Minimizes signal loss and distortion, ensuring maximum radar transparency at high frequencies.
- High Thermal Resistance
Operates reliably in extended heat exposures up to 2000°F (1093°C), with a softening point of 3092°F (1700°C).
- Superior Strength-to-Weight Ratio
High-tensile aerospace-grade structural reinforcement, maintaining critical mechanical integrity under extreme thermomechanical loads with minimal mass.
- 99.99% Silica Purity
Ensures exceptional heat resistance and signal clarity, vital for radomes and thermal shielding.
- Chemical Stability
Astroquartz® fabrics are chemically stable, water-insoluble, non-hydroscopic, and is resistant to halogens and most common acids.
- UV Transparency
Maintains clarity and transparency to ultraviolet radiation even at temperatures exceeding 1382°F (750°C).
Other types of Astroquartz
For robust performance aerospace clients can't beat Astroquartz®. In addition to the signature Astroquartz® II and III fabrics, our Astroquartz® line also includes a broad assortment of products designed to meet diverse industrial needs. These include:
- Astroquartz® II Chopped Fiber
Ideal for use in reinforced plastics and fiberglass composite materials, Astroquartz® II chopped fibers comprise high-purity fused silica filaments cut to a desired length ranging from 1/8” to 1”. These chopped filaments come from the same high-purity, 9μm fibers that create Astroquartz® II's superior performance characteristics. Added to other products such as nonwoven composites, the fibers increase thermal resistance and ablation while resisting damage from chemicals or moisture.
- Astroquartz® II Roving
Astroquartz® II roving is made from continuous filaments with a density of 2.2 g/cm and a fiber tensile strength of 0.5 MSI. Like other Astroquartz® offerings, our roving features 99.99% silica fibers exclusive of binder. Standard 20-end roving contains 4,800 nine micron diameter fused filaments which is equivalent to 20 ends of 150 1/0 yarn.
- Astroquartz® II Sewing Thread
High-purity, extremely fine Astroquartz® sewing thread offers excellent thermal resistance and withstands prolonged use in environments reaching 2000°F. In addition, our sewing thread comes coated in PTFE to improve chemical resistance and enhance durability.
- Astroquartz® Yarn
Like Astroquartz® sewing thread, Astroquartz® yarn is made from extremely fine continuous filaments of 99.99% pure fused silica, exclusive of binder, capable of extended heat exposure to 2000°F. This yarn's superior temperature resistance makes it an ideal choice for high-temperature insulation, including braided insulation for thermocouples, cables, heating elements, and similar components. Compared to high-silica leached yarn, Astroquartz® also features five times the yarn yield, which lends it higher tensile strength and abrasion resistance for maximum durability in demanding environments.
- Astroquartz® Mat
The Astroquartz® Mat contains high-purity silica fibers impregnated with a polyvinyl alcohol binder. The combination creates a stable mat that affords easy transport, fabrication, and installation. Heating the mat to 900°F for 1 hour or 500°F for 24 hours will effectively remove the 4-5% binder content.
JPS' World-Leading Expertise in Quartz Fabric Production
Astroquartz® pure silica fabrics from JPS Composite Materials have set the global standard for quartz reinforcement fabric, featuring industry-leading performance with extensive customization options. To learn more about how Astroquartz® can benefit your application, contact JPS today.
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