Local Resource Utilization of Lunar Regolith for Manufacturing at the Point-of-Need of Metal Matrix Composites
Publication: Earth and Space 2022
ABSTRACT
In this work the applicability and challenges of low-power direct additive recycling (DAR) for on-site manufacturing and repair is discussed. Specifically, this research addresses the current DAR efforts on representative lunar regolith simulants combined with aluminum alloy (AA6061) feedstock to fabricate fully dense structural components. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy identified a fully dense additive deposition with regolith particles refined and dispersed throughout the aluminum matrix. Microhardness maps captured a uniform hardness gradient across the deposited material cross section, with the regolith increasing the average hardness of the deposit above that of the substrate from which the composite was built upon. This work provides an initial framework for in situ resource utilization of regolith materials to fabricate aluminum alloy metal matrix composites in austere locations.
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Earth and Space 2022
Pages: 298 - 307
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Published online: Jan 5, 2023
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