Flash sintering of HUST-1 lunar regolith simulant: Effects of processing temperature on microstructure characteristics and mechanical properties

Fen Dang, Yan Zhou, Zekai Wang, Yuan Li, Penglin Wang, Cheng Zhou

Abstract

In-situ construction method is expected to be considered for lunar base construction because of its reducing transportation cost. Among the many in-situ construction processes, the flash sintering process can significantly reduce the processing time and become a potentially effective in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technology. In this study, the flash sintering process was investigated for the first time to realize the sample forming of HUST-1 lunar regolith simulant (LRS). The effects of sintering temperature on the micro- and macrostructural characteristics and mechanical properties of the samples were systematically studied. The results showed that the densities and mechanical properties of the sintered samples were improved with the increase of the sintering temperature (from 1050 °C to 1290 °C) in a low vacuum environment for 4 min. Joule heating effect was investigated to cause rapid high-temperature solid-phase reactions between the LRS particles. At 1290 °C, the compressive strength of the sintered sample reached maximum 59.47 MPa. This study provides an efficient forming method for lunar construction in the future.

Keywords:

Lunar base;In-situ resource utilization (ISRU);Flash sintering;

Lunar regolith simulant (LRS);Sintering mechanism

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0273117724009505