The completed study investigated the creation of Martian regolith-simulant composites. The goal was to see whether the type of Martian regolith simulant would influence the Martian regolith-simulant composite parts’ mechanical property values. Test samples of Martian regolith-simulant composites were created by combining four different types of Martian regolith simulant at different weight-loading percentages with polypropylene via twin screw extrusion and injection molding. Sample parts underwent tensile, flexural, Izod impact, dynamic mechanical analysis, and heat deflection temperature tests according to American Society for Testing and Materials standards. Two-factor analysis of variance tests were also completed on the averaged numerical data. The test results collected suggested that Martian regolith-simulant type (or source location) impacted a few of the mechanical properties of the Martian regolith-simulant composite sample parts created, including tensile modulus, flexural strength, and glass transition temperature. The degree of influence the source location type had on tensile modulus and flexural strength for the Martian regolith-simulant composites created was inferred to be low, as the F values found were relatively close to the cutoff F values. The analysis of variance test results also provided evidence that weight-loading percentage impacted all of the found mechanical property values of the Martian regolith-simulant composite sample parts created. The degree of influence the weight-loading percentage had on all of the mechanical property values was suggested to be high, as the respective F values were much higher than the cutoff F values. Regarding material processing, the Martian regolith simulant designated Sulfate ISRU was found to have unanticipated expansion characteristics, making it challenging to create usable parts with injection molding. These findings were aimed at providing further insight into the potential of Martian regolith-simulant composites.
Regolith-Based Polymer Matrix Composites for In Situ Material Creation for Long-Term Extraterrestrial Missions
J. Aerosp. Eng.
Journal of Aerospace Engineering ; 36 , 1
2023-01-01
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch