Investigating the microscopic, mechanical, and thermal properties of vacuum-sintered BH-1 lunar regolith simulant for lunar in-situ construction

Abstract

The lunar base establishing is crucial for the long-term deep space exploration. Given the high costs associated with Earth-Moon transportation, in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) has become the most viable approach for lunar construction. This study investigates the sintering behavior of BH-1 lunar regolith simulant (LRS) in a vacuum environment across various temperatures. The sintered samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), along with nanoindentation, uniaxial compression, and thermal property tests to evaluate the microstructural, mechanical, and thermal properties. The results show that the sintering temperature significantly affects both the microstructure and mechanical strength of the samples. At a sintering temperature of 1100°C, the compressive strength reached a maximum of 90 MPa. The mineral composition of the sintered samples remains largely unchanged at different sintering temperatures, with the primary differences observed in the XRD peak intensities of the phases. The plagioclase melting first and filling the intergranular pores as a molten liquid phase. The BH-1 LRS exhibited a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) within the temperature range of −150°C to 150°C, indicating its potential for resisting fatigue damage caused by temperature fluctuations. These findings provide technical support for the in-situ consolidation of lunar regolith and the construction of lunar bases using local resources.