About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Materials and Manufacturing in Space
|
| Presentation Title |
High-Throughput Design of Multifunctional Lunar Protective Coatings |
| Author(s) |
Ashley J. Maldonado Otero, Andrea M Hodge, Sang-Hyon Chu, John A Newman, Juan M Fernandez |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Ashley J. Maldonado Otero |
| Abstract Scope |
Establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon requires advanced materials capable of withstanding extreme lunar surface environments. Conventional vapor-deposited aluminum (VDA) coatings, used to provide structural support and environmental protection for composite structures, are highly susceptible to degradation under high-speed regolith impacts, extreme thermal cycling, and high strain conditions, motivating the exploration of alternative systems. This work employs combinatorial high-throughput experimentation (CHT) via magnetron sputtering, to rapidly screen composition, phase, and hardness trends across the TiAlNb system, identifying alloys with improved strength-to-weight ratio. Microstructural characterization of the identified alloys was performed, and the implications for the mechanical behavior of the coatings are discussed. Ultimately, these multifunctional coatings seek to improve erosion and impact resistance on composite structures and also provide enhanced thermo-optical properties, offering a robust solution for protecting lunar surface infrastructure and spacecraft materials. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |