Abstract
Thermite-type reactions between lunar/Martian regolith and magnesium could be used for in situ production of construction materials on the Moon and Mars. In the present paper, combustion of two Martian regolith simulants (JSC-Mars-1A and Mojave Mars) with magnesium is studied using thermodynamic calculations and combustion experiments. To understand the reaction mechanisms in these mixtures as well as in the mixtures of JSC-1A lunar regolith simulant with magnesium, thermoanalytical experiments are also conducted. It has been shown that the Martian regolith simulants form combustible mixtures with magnesium. The combustion temperatures determined theoretically and experimentally are close to those obtained for mixtures of the lunar regolith simulant with magnesium. Despite the lower content, iron oxide plays a more important role than silica in the combustion of JSC-Mars-1A simulant with magnesium. For Mojave Mars material and JSC-1A lunar regolith simulant, where the concentration of iron oxide is lower, silica also plays a significant role in the reactions with magnesium.
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