Manufacture of polymeric concrete on the Moon

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Manufacture of polymeric concrete on the Moon

Sik Lee, Tai / Lee, Jaeho / Yong Ann, Ki

Abstract The present study concerns a development of lunar concrete using a thermoplastic polymer in constructing outpost on the Moon, assuming that a given quantity of polymer has to import from the Earth. A mixture of 10% polymer and 90% lunar soil by mass was cast in a 50mm cubic mold, followed by being preheated in the vacuum chamber at <0.1Torr to mimic the highest temperature on the equator, and then further heat was provided to the mix with a heat plate at 230C. Substantially, the strength of the lunar concrete was gained about 12.6–12.9MPa within 5h, as being strong enough to construct an infrastructure on the Moon, encompassing habitat, landing/launching pad and facilities. Considering the maximum payload in a lander, about 100t of lunar concrete could be produced by a single landing on the Moon.

Highlights. • Lunar concrete was produced using a thermoplastic polymer to bind lunar soil. • The portion of polymer was 10% in the mix with lunar soil • The compressive strength accounted for 12.6–12.9MPa. • The level of strength seems high enough to resist external loading on the Moon