Melting sulfur and mixing it with an aggregate to form "concrete" is commercially well established and constitutes a material that is particularly well-suited for use in corrosive environments. Discovery of the mineral troilite (FeS) on the moon poses the question of extracting the sulfur for use as a lunar construction material. This would be an attractive alternative to conventional concrete as it does not require water. However, the viability of sulfur concrete in a lunar environment, which is characterized by lack of an atmosphere and extreme temperatures, is not well understood. Here it is assumed that the lunar ore can be mined, refined, and the raw sulfur melded with appropriate lunar regolith to form, for example, bricks. This study evaluates pure sulfur and two sets of small sulfur concrete samples that have been prepared using JSC-1 lunar stimulant and SiO2 powder as aggregate additions. Each set was subjected to extended periods in a vacuum environment to evaluate sublimation issues. Results from these experiments are presented and discussed within the context of the lunar environment.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Sulfur "Concrete" for Lunar Applications - Sublimation Concerns


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2006-01-01


    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English





    Sulfur “concrete” for lunar applications – Sublimation concerns

    Grugel, Richard N. / Toutanji, Houssam | Elsevier | 2007




    Production of Lunar Concrete Using Molten Sulfur

    Omar, H. A. / Issa, M. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994