Experimental Investigation of Selective Laser Melting of Lunar Regolith for In-Situ Applications

Abstract

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is a powder based Additive manufacturing (AM) technology which builds an object layer wise using a laser beam to melt the powder on an elevated platform. Thus far numerous studies have investigated lunar manufacturing methods and construction but little is known about applicability of SLM of lunar regolith. As most lunar construction proposals require transportation of essential materials from Earth, using an in-situ manufacturing method with indigenous material would be considerably more economical. Fabrication of parts with SLM using various metals and ceramics has already been presented. As such, the feasibility of using lunar regolith mixture to create functional parts with SLM process is investigated. Variation of process parameters such as laser power, scan speed, and scan strategies is investigated and multiple 3D objects are successfully created and presented.