Shulou(Shulou.com)11/24 Report--

In the future exploration of Mars, the humble Martian dust may contain great potential. Using 3D printing technology, the researchers mixed a small amount of simulated Martian rocks with titanium alloy to make a stronger, higher-performance material. One day, we may be able to use this material to make tools or rocket parts on Mars.

In the process of making new materials, researchers at Washington State University in the United States added 5% to 100% of Mars surface debris simulations, a black powdery substance that simulates inorganic rock material on the surface of the red planet. In a general sense, Martian soil refers to the fine-grained surface debris found on the Martian surface, and its characteristics may be significantly different from those of Earth's soil. So far, no Martian soil samples have been collected, which will be the target of future Martian sampling and return missions. Based on the results of remote studies by Mars rovers and orbiters, scientists have created materials on Earth to simulate the chemical and mechanical properties of Mars surface cuttings to study, test and test activities related to Martian soil. such as transport equipment, advanced life support systems and dust prevention measures in the use of on-site resources.

In the new study, materials containing 5% of Mars surface cuttings simulations are strong, while materials with 100% simulations are fragile and easy to break. Even so, Amit Bandyopadhyay, the study's newsletter author, says materials with high Mars surface cuttings simulations can also be used to make coatings to protect equipment from rust or radiation damage. The results of this study were published in the recent International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology (International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology).

"in space, if we want to carry out manned missions, we have to use 3D printing because we can't carry everything from Earth," said Professor Bandyapadye, from the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Washington State University. "once something is missing, we can't come back and get it."

Sending all kinds of raw materials into space will be extremely expensive. For example, the study authors point out that the cost of NASA's space shuttle to send a kilogram of payload into Earth orbit is about $54000. Anything that can be made in space, or on other planets, can help reduce loads and save costs. In addition, if any equipment damage occurs, the astronauts also need to repair it at the scene.

In 2011, Bandyapadye demonstrated for the first time the feasibility of using local materials and using 3D printing technology to manufacture equipment parts. At the time, his team used 3D printing technology to make parts for NASA using cuttings simulations of the lunar surface as raw materials. Since then, a number of space agencies have embraced the technology, and the International Space Station has its own 3D printer, which can make the necessary materials in the field and use them in experiments.

In the new study, Bandyapadye and others used a powder 3D printer to mix crushed Martian cuttings simulations with titanium alloy. Titanium alloy is often used in space exploration because of its high strength and heat resistance. In the course of the study, a high-energy laser heated the mixed material to more than 2000 degrees Celsius, and then melted Mars cuttings simulated ceramic and metal materials were mixed and flowed to a mobile platform to shape different sizes and shapes. After the material was cooled, the researchers tested its strength and durability.

Ceramics made entirely of Mars cuttings simulations crack during cooling, but as Bandyapadye points out, this material can still be used as a good radiation shielding coating because cracks are not important in this case. If the mixture contains only a small amount of Mars surface cuttings simulations, such as 5%, the resulting ceramic material will not only not break or blister, but will also show better properties than using titanium alloy alone. This means that the material can be used to make lighter parts while being able to withstand heavier loads.

Bandyapadye says the new study provides a material with better properties and higher strength and hardness that can perform better in some applications.

Of course, this research is just the beginning, and in the future researchers may use different metal or 3D printing techniques to make better composites. " This study proves that this is possible, and maybe we should think in this direction, "Bandyapadye said," because it's not limited to making fragile plastic parts, but to making strong cermet composites. can be used in any type of structural component. "

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