SISTEM Restraint Assembly

Structural restraints of the SISTEM tank are provided by a net of high-strength ribbons, manufactured from Poly-Benzyl-Oxylate (PBO) trade name ‘Zylon’. Zylon is one of the strongest types of fiber available and is coated with a VITON elastomer to protect the fiber against UV degradation. The restraint ribbons are wrapped around the tank and are sewn together at specific locations, where the meridian and hoop ribbons overlap. This provides the desired assembly joint strength and maintain tank shape in a repeatable way after many cycles of stowing and deployment.