Preparation of autoclave concrete from basaltic lunar regolith simulant: Effect of mixture and manufacture process

Abstract

Abstract To build a permanently inhabited base on the Moon is a vitally important step to developing lunar exploration and deep space detection. Indigenous materials become a significant requirement for lunar construction as transporting construction materials from Earth is extremely expensive. Fortunately, construction materials can be fabricated by utilizing in situ materials on the Moon surface. Autoclaving technology is a feasible method for lunar construction material manufacture. In this study, basaltic lunar regolith simulant (LRS) was utilized to imitate the lunar regolith as major raw material. Firstly, Ca(OH)2 and PI 52.5 were compared to choose better calcareous material. In addition, the influence of calcareous material ratio, LRS fineness, briquetting pressure value and autoclaving craft on mechanical property were discussed to determine an appropriate material system and manufacture process. Furthermore, strength effect mechanism was expounded by the investigation of pore characteristics and hydration products. The results indicated that Ca(OH)2 was more effective in producing better performance LRS autoclaved concrete and introducing appropriate amount of Ca(OH)2 can improve the strength and promote target hydration products generation effectively. Meanwhile, the increasing of LRS fineness resulted in weakening of compressive strength which was ascribe to the increasing pore volume caused by the arch effect during briquetting process with finer LRS particles. Moreover, augmentation of briquetting pressure value made significant improvement in compactness of rough-body and autoclaved specimens and finally resulted in increment of density and enhancement of strength. On the other hand, the extension of saturated vapor pressure duration time enhanced the compressive strength by promoting hydrothermal synthesis reaction and generating of target hydration products.