Abstract In view of potential application as a construction material on the lunar surface the mechanical integrity of sulfur concrete was evaluated after being subjected to simulated temperature cycles. Here, small cubes of sulfur concrete were repeatedly cycled between room (20°C) and liquid nitrogen (−191°C) temperatures after which they, and non-cycled cubes, were evaluated by compression testing. The compression strength of the non-cycled samples averaged ∼35MPa (5076psi) before failing whereas the cycled samples fractured at about 7MPa (1015psi). Microscopic examination of the fracture surfaces from the cycled samples showed clear de-bonding of the sulfur from the aggregate whereas it was seen adhering in those non-cycled. Based on a simple analysis it was concluded that the large strength discrepancy between cycled and non-cycled samples is due to differences between the coefficients of thermal expansion of the materials constituting the concrete.
Integrity of sulfur concrete subjected to simulated lunar temperature cycles
Advances in Space Research ; 50 , 9 ; 1294-1299
2012-06-21
6 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Integrity of sulfur concrete subjected to simulated lunar temperature cycles
Online Contents | 2012
|Sulfur “concrete” for lunar applications – Sublimation concerns
Online Contents | 2008
|Production of Lunar Concrete Using Molten Sulfur
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994
|Sulfur “concrete” for lunar applications – Sublimation concerns
Elsevier | 2007
|