Effect of sintering temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of molded Martian and Lunar regolith

Cylindrical specimens of Martian and Lunar regolith simulants were molded using a salt water binder and sintered at various temperatures for comparing microstructure, mechanical properties and shrinkage. Material microstructure are reported using optical microscope and material testing is done using an MTS universal testing machine. The experimental protocol was executed twice, once using Mars global simulant (MGS-1), and once using Lunar mare simulant (LMS-1). The specimens were fabricated via an injection molding method, designed to replicate typical masonary units as well as the green stage of Binder Jet Technique, an important additive manufacturing (AM) technique. Results show that for both the Martian and Lunar regolith that the optimal sintering temperature was somewhere between 1100 C and 1200 C. The compressive strength for both the Martian and Lunar masonary samples, that received optimal sintering conditions, was determined to be sufficient for construction of extraterrestrial structures. The work demonstrates that both the Martian and Lunar regolith show potential to be used as extra terrestrial masonary and as parent material for extra terrestrial BJT additive manufacturing processes.