Lunar In Situ Large-Scale Construction: Quantitative Evaluation of Regolith Solidification Techniques

Bao, Charun; Zhang, Daobo; Wang, Qinyu; Cui, Yifei; Feng, Peng

doi:10.1016/j.eng.2024.03.004

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…Traditional bonding and hot-pressing processes require a large amount of cement and sulfur as binders, resulting in low in-situ utilization and posing challenges to space transportation technology. The process of bio-polymerization has the advantages of low energy consumption and the disadvantages of low product strength, making it difficult to withstand loads [ 7 ].…”

Section: Research On Alkali-activated Lunar Regolith Geopolymermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As the first station for deep space exploration, lunar bases are essential to exploiting lunar resources and conducting scientific research [ 6 ]. The challenges and difficulties of lunar base construction are the resistance to unfavorable environments, the exploitation and utilization of resources, and the highly automated requirements of the construction method [ 7 ]. Various materials have been developed for the in-situ construction of lunar bases, including sintering [ 8 ], fusion [ 9 ], bonding [ 10 ], and bio-polymerization [ 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The geopolymer reaction does not consume excessive water resources, as water can be extracted and recycled after the reaction [ 22 ]. As a result, this technology has an exceptionally high degree of in-situ resource utilization and low energy consumption [ 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Lunar Regolith Geopolymer Concrete for In-Situ Construction of Lunar Bases: A Review

Zheng,

Zhao,

Sun

et al. 2024

Polymers

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The construction of lunar bases represents a fundamental challenge for deep space exploration, lunar research, and the exploitation of lunar resources. In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technology constitutes a pivotal tool for constructing lunar bases. Using lunar regolith to create geopolymers as construction materials offers multiple advantages as an ISRU technique. This paper discusses the principle of geopolymer for lunar regolith, focusing on the reaction principle of geopolymer. It also analyzes the applicability of geopolymer under the effects of the lunar surface environment and the differences between the highland and mare lunar regolith. This paper summarizes the characteristics of existing lunar regolith simulants and the research on the mechanical properties of lunar regolith geopolymers using lunar regolith simulants. Highland lunar regolith samples contain approximately 36% amorphous substances, the content of silicon is approximately 28%, and the ratios of Si/Al and Si/Ca are approximately 1.5 and 2.6, respectively. They are more suitable as precursor materials for geopolymers than mare samples. The compressive strength of lunar regolith geopolymer is mainly in the range of 18~30 MPa. Sodium silicate is the most commonly utilized activator for lunar regolith geopolymers; alkalinity in the range of 7% to 10% and modulus in the range of 0.8 to 2.0 are suitable. A vacuum environment and multiple temperature cycles reduce the mechanical properties of geopolymers by 8% to 70%. Future research should be concentrated on the precision control of the lunar regolith’s chemical properties and the alkali activation efficacy of geopolymers in the lunar environment.

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Section: Research On Alkali-activated Lunar Regolith Geopolymermentioning

confidence: 99%