Synthesis, Chemical Durability, and Mechanical Property of Simulated Chang'E‐6 Lunar Soil Fibers
Shaoyang Shi, Yanjie Shi, Mengzhao Ding, Jianqiang Sun, Liang Zhang, Jian Chen, Siqi Liu, Lida Luo, Hong Li, Qingwei WangABSTRACT
The ability to utilize resources on the Moon is an essential part of cost management to enable sustainable deep space exploration for the long term. Lunar base construction may require glass fibers for structural reinforcement and thermal insulation. In our feasibility study on the potential use of simulated Chang'E‐6 lunar soil (CELS) to produce fiber on the Moon, simulated CELS fibers were synthesized at 1310°C using a spinning technique. Acidic conditions induce more significant Q 1 degradation with a continuous decline in fiber tensile strength, whereas the corrosion layer rich in Si, Al, and Ca formed during the early alkaline stage passivates cracks and blocks OH − infiltration, leading to a slight increase in fiber tensile strength. These results provide experimental data on the chemical durability, corrosion mechanisms, and mechanical reliability of CELS fibers. These data support the evaluation of CELS fibers for future lunar construction under chemically aggressive processing and high‐pH matrix conditions.