Session: 03-07-01: Emerging Materials Technology

Paper Number: 151811

151811 - Utilizing Lunar Regolith As a Reinforcement Material for Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composite 

The high cost of transporting raw materials into space—up to an estimated US$2 million for a few pounds of a critical material to be delivered to the Moon—poses significant challenges for extraterrestrial construction. Consequently, the advancement of materials that leverage in-situ resources, such as lunar dust, is essential for the future of space infrastructure. This study explores the potential of lunar regolith dust as a novel reinforcement material for fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites, using Black Point-1 (BP-1), a lunar soil simulant. Specifically, the research examines the incorporation of BP-1 into glass fiber-reinforced plastic composites and evaluates the mechanical and fracture properties of the resulting material across various volume fractions of lunar dust, ranging from 1% to 10%.

Mechanical performance of the composites is assessed through tensile testing, while damage behavior was characterized using interlaminar shear strength and fracture toughness measurements. Additionally, low-velocity impact tests are conducted to evaluate the impact damage tolerance of the composites. The results demonstrate that, at certain volume fractions, the incorporation of BP-1 can enhance the mechanical and fracture properties of fiber-reinforced composites by up to 30-40%. BP-1 is particularly effective in suppressing damage propagation under shear and impact loading, though it had a negligible effect on tensile strength.

Overall, this study highlights the potential of lunar regolith, specifically BP-1, to significantly improve the mechanical, fracture, and impact tolerance properties of fiber-reinforced plastic composites, positioning it as a promising material for advanced composite applications in space exploration and extraterrestrial construction.

Presenting Author: Denizhan Yavas Rice University

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Yavas joined Rice University as an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in 2024. He specializes in experimental and computational solid and fracture mechanics. His focus areas include deformation and failure mechanisms in advanced composite and additively manufactured materials, development of architected and tunable materials, mechanics of thin films and multilayered materials, and interfacial fracture and ice adhesion.