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Regolith Cladding for Flame-Resistance
Completed
TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
Description
Flammability is a major concern for lunar habitats due to high (up to 36%) oxygen levels. This proposal aims to develop a technology for flame-proofing fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites using the most common in-situ resource available on the Moon: regolith. FRP is an attractive material choice for lunar habitats due to high strength and low mass. Many polymers often used in composites, however, many are considered flammable. Regolith could be incorporated onto FRP surfaces using an additive, robot-enabled technology such as Direct Energy Deposition. There is a risk that such a coating process may affect the FRP composite's performance as a pressure vessel or other structural component.
Benefits
Objective: Flammability is a major concern for lunar habitats due to high (up to 36%) oxygen levels. This proposal aims to develop a technology for flame-proofing fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites using the most common in-situ resource available on the Moon: regolith. Regolith will be melted onto FRP surfaces using an additive manufacturing method such as Direct Energy Deposition, similar to a technique called laser cladding. Pain point: FRP is an attractive material choice for lunar habitats due to their high strength and low mass. Many polymers often used in FRP, however, are flammable. Applicable gap STMD Capability Gap IDs: STMD-AMSM-026, STMD-OSAM-009. This approach is disruptive because it takes existing technology (DED) and opens up new ways to create coatings (not just for/with regolith or for flammability) on all sorts of substrates (not just FRP).
Details
| Technology area | Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems, and Manufacturing |
| Program | Center Innovation Fund: MSFC CIF (MSFC CIF) |
| Lead organization | Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL |
| Start date | 2022-10-01 |
| End date | 2023-09-30 |
Project contacts
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How to get involved
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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