High-Pressure Densification of Composite Lunar Cement

Abstract

In order to minimize the binder content in composite lunar "cement," this paper uses JSC-1A lunar soil simulant and unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) to produce low-binder-content composite. Important system parameters such as compression pressure, compression duration, vibration, loading rate, loading number, and initial grain size distribution are analyzed. The most critical control variable is the compression pressure: at ∼350 MPa, the binder content is reduced to 6.5-8.7% by weight and the flexural strength is approximately 30-40 MPa. This research is important for in situ resource utilization for future lunar base construction and expansion. ASCE 06017013-1 J. Mater. Civ. Eng. J. Mater. Civ. Eng., 2017, 29(10): 06017013 Downloaded from ascelibrary.org by University of California, San Diego on 09/12/17. Copyright ASCE. For personal use only; all rights reserved. © ASCE 06017013-3 J. Mater. Civ. Eng. J. Mater. Civ. Eng., 2017, 29(10): 06017013 Downloaded from ascelibrary.org by University of California, San Diego on 09/12/17.

Fatigue Behavior of Inorganic-Organic Hybrid “Lunar Cement”

“…13 reported that, due to the irregular particle shapes of lunar soil simulant JSC-1a, even with an optimized particle size graduation, the binder content ( C ) in a regular IOH had to be higher than about 12 wt%; otherwise the filler-binder mixing would be incomplete and the IOH was fragile. A later work indicated that a high compaction pressure could help reduce the binder content to about 8 wt% 14 . Recently, Chen et al .…”

Spark plasma sintering and optical characterization of lunar regolith simulant

“…To this aim, efficient technologies to convert natural regolith into bulk bodies are needed. In this regard, various methods, such as pressureless sintering [14], [15], microwave sintering [16]- [18], combustion synthesis based processes [19]- [22], impact procedure [23], high-pressure consolidation [24], spark plasma sintering [14], [25], [26], solar sintering [27], 3D-printing [28], etc., are considered in the literature. To facilitate powder densification, suitable polymers are also used as binders in some investigations [23], [24].…”

“…In this regard, various methods, such as pressureless sintering [14], [15], microwave sintering [16]- [18], combustion synthesis based processes [19]- [22], impact procedure [23], high-pressure consolidation [24], spark plasma sintering [14], [25], [26], solar sintering [27], 3D-printing [28], etc., are considered in the literature. To facilitate powder densification, suitable polymers are also used as binders in some investigations [23], [24]. Among the proposed technologies, Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS), also referred to as Electric Current-Assisted Sintering (ECAS), is a widely used efficient consolidation method able to guarantee the obtainment of high densification levels very shortly, compared to standard hot-pressing or pressureless sintering, also when processing highly refractory powders [29].…”