| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2023 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Advanced Real Time Imaging
|
| Presentation Title |
In-situ Monitoring and Post Operando Analysis of Additively Manufacturing Lunar Regolith Simulants Parts |
| Author(s) |
Caterina Iantaffi, Chu Lun Alex Leung, Samy Hocine , Elena Ruck , Marta Majkut, Martina Meisnar , Thomas Rohr , Peter D. Lee |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Caterina Iantaffi |
| Abstract Scope |
Additive Manufacturing (AM) using in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU, i.e. using local resources) has been identified as a key technology for on-demand component fabrication on the moon and extra-terrestrial planets. Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) has received increasing attention to produce components made of fine lunar grey soil - regolith. On earth, LPBF is a key AM technology; however, obtaining the optimal parameters to AM rich oxidised metals such as regoliths requires extensive characterisation and understanding of the key mechanisms. Here, we use synchrotron x-ray imaging to reveal the laser interaction, melt flow dynamics and solidification mechanism of regoliths. Severe vaporisation and pore formation dominate the process, requiring novel printing strategies to improve densification of two commercial regolith simulants. Both simulants demonstrate different spreadability and laser interactions, studied further on large printed parts to define a processability window. These results help identify practices for additively manufacturing regolith components in space. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Additive Manufacturing, Other, |