High temperature in situ sintering mechanics of site-specific lunar regolith simulants

We aim to generate a baseline fundamental description of high-fidelity lunar regolith simulants, with a particular emphasis on particle shape and porosity evolution during sintering and recrystallization. In situ phase contrast microtomography is applied here up to 1300 °C. Samples consist of metal-oxides and mineral composites in grain size and chemical concentrations according to returned Apollo specimens, enhanced with glassy impact melt and agglutinated material (sintering agents) not yet widely present in available simulants for technology verification studies. Heating is seen as the dominant modification process in all processing of regolith: 3D printed constructions, separation of oxygen and metal, and the extraction of volatiles are application areas to be developed.