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Developing Abrasion Test Standards for Evaluating Lunar Construction Materials

Journal Article
2009-01-2377
ISSN: 1946-3855, e-ISSN: 1946-3901
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4271/2009-01-2377
Published July 12, 2009 by SAE International in United States
Developing Abrasion Test Standards for Evaluating Lunar Construction Materials
Sector:
Citation: Kobrick, R., Klaus, D., and Street, K., "Developing Abrasion Test Standards for Evaluating Lunar Construction Materials," SAE Int. J. Aerosp. 4(1):160-171, 2011, https://doi.org/10.4271/2009-01-2377.
Language: English

Abstract:

Operational issues encountered by Apollo astronauts relating to lunar dust were catalogued, including material abrasion that resulted in scratches and wear on spacesuit components, ultimately impacting visibility, joint mobility and pressure retention. Standard methods are being developed to measure abrasive wear on candidate construction materials to be used for spacesuits, spacecraft, and robotics. Calibration tests were conducted using a standard diamond stylus scratch tip on the common spacecraft structure aluminum, Al 6061-T6. Custom tips were fabricated from terrestrial counterparts of lunar minerals for scratching Al 6061-T6 and comparing to standard diamond scratches. Considerations are offered for how to apply standards when selecting materials and developing dust mitigation strategies for lunar architecture elements.