The mechanical and structural properties of lunar regolith simulant based geopolymer under extreme temperature environment on the moon through experimental and simulation methods

Abstract

The lunar regolith simulant based geopolymer was prepared, and its mechanical and structural properties under extreme temperature were investigated. Results show 7-day compressive strength of geopolymer cured at 60℃ was 58.8 MPa. After laboratory tests under extreme temperature, compressive strength of geopolymers under 120℃ and −30℃ were above 50.0 MPa and 80.0 MPa respectively. The extreme temperature resistance of geopolymers could be understood by the simulation results in terms of molecular structure stability, which reveals the stable aluminosilicate structures under lunar high temperatures and under ultra-low temperatures. After 40 cycles of thermal shocks (-196℃-25℃), compressive strength of geopolymer even increased explained by relatively dense microstructures through SEM and BET. The geopolymer based lunar concrete has demonstrated a great potential for in-situ lunar base construction.