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Rapid Prototyping Journal
ISSN: 1355-2546
Online from: 1995
Subject Area: Mechanical & Materials Engineering
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First demonstration on direct laser fabrication of lunar regolith parts
| Title: | First demonstration on direct laser fabrication of lunar regolith parts |
|---|---|
| Author(s): | Vamsi Krishna Balla, (W.M. Keck Biomedical Materials Research Laboratory, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA), Luke B. Roberson, (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA), Gregory W. O'Connor, (Amalgam Industries, Inc., Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA), Steven Trigwell, (ASRC Aerospace Corporation, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA), Susmita Bose, (W.M. Keck Biomedical Materials Research Laboratory, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA), Amit Bandyopadhyay, (W.M. Keck Biomedical Materials Research Laboratory, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA) |
| Citation: | Vamsi Krishna Balla, Luke B. Roberson, Gregory W. O'Connor, Steven Trigwell, Susmita Bose, Amit Bandyopadhyay, (2012) "First demonstration on direct laser fabrication of lunar regolith parts", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 18 Iss: 6, pp.451 - 457 |
| Keywords: | Advanced manufacturing technologies, Geology, In situ resource utilization, Laser engineered net shaping, Laser processing, Lunar regolith, Materials handling, Rocks, Simulant |
| Article type: | Research paper |
| DOI: | 10.1108/13552541211271992 (Permanent URL) |
| Publisher: | Emerald Group Publishing Limited |
| Acknowledgements: | The authors acknowledge the financial support of W. M. Keck Foundation to purchase the LENS-750 systems at Washington State University (WSU). |
| Abstract: | Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the feasibility of direct fabrication of lunar/Martian regolith simulant parts, in a freeform environment, using Laser Engineering Net Shaping (LENS™) – an additive manufacturing technology. Design/methodology/approach – Bulk lunar regolith simulant structures were fabricated using a LENS™-750. Dense parts without any macroscopic defects were produced at a laser power of 50W, a scan speed of 20?mm/s, and a powder feed rate of 12.36?g/min. The laser processed parts were characterized using X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to evaluate the influence of laser processing on the microstructure, constituent phases and chemistry of lunar regolith simulant. Findings – A combination of laser parameters resulting in a 2.12 J/mm2 laser energy appeared to be ideal for generating a melt pool necessary for lunar regolith powder deposition without excessive liquid pool spreading and cracking of solidified parts. The results show that LENS™ based laser processing transformed crystalline regolith into nanocrystalline and/or amorphous regolith structures as a result of complete melting followed by resolidification. Laser processing also resulted in marginal changes in the composition of the regolith. Originality/value – Establishment of a lunar/Martian outpost necessitates the development of methods to utilize |
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