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Development and Evaluation of Space-Resilient Polymers: Additively Manufacturable Polymer- Lunar Regolith Composites and Shape Memory Deployable Space Structures


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dc.contributor.advisorMailen, Russell
dc.contributor.authorWeaver, Robin
dc.date.accessioned2025-07-31T15:35:55Z
dc.date.available2025-07-31T15:35:55Z
dc.date.issued2025-07-31
dc.identifier.urihttps://etd.auburn.edu/handle/10415/9916
dc.description.abstractThis thesis investigates two crucial areas related to polymer applications in space: the development of 3D printable polymer-lunar regolith composites for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and the long-term performance of shape memory polymers (SMPs) in the low-Earth orbit (LEO) environment. By advancing knowledge in these domains, this research significantly contributes to laying the foundation for sustainable and efficient space exploration and habitation. Chapter 3 focuses on developing 3D printable polymer-lunar regolith composites, a vital step towards enabling ISRU and additive manufacturing of custom parts on the lunar surface. The study systematically investigated how varying lunar regolith loading levels and particle sizes impact composite material performance, developing a thorough understanding of their processing parameters and material properties. This understanding is critical for efficient and cost-effective lunar base construction. The research uncovered general trends regarding how these factors influence material characteristics, providing key insights for advancing the viability of polymer- regolith composites in lunar manufacturing. Chapter 4 evaluates the long-term performance of various thermoplastic and thermoset SMPs exposed to the harsh LEO environment. This study investigated changes in the macromolecular structure, viscoelastic properties, and shape memory response of these polymers after a 6-month exposure as part of the MISSE-17 mission. The research developed a general understanding of how these materials behave and degrade in space, identifying the broad effects of the LEO environment on unprotected SMPs and the benefits of protective coatings. It also broadly distinguished the performance characteristics of thermoplastic versus thermoset SMPs in this context. These insights are crucial for understanding SMP degradation mechanisms and informing design considerations for reliable, lightweight, and cost-effective SMP-based deployable space structures. In summary, this thesis furthers scientific understanding of polymer materials within the context of extreme space environments. It achieves crucial insights into the performance of 3D printable polymer-lunar regolith composites and SMP performance in LEO. The knowledge gained from these studies will expand the capabilities of human space travel, paving the way for the creation of robust, adaptable, and innovative materials for applications in space technology.en_US
dc.rightsEMBARGO_NOT_AUBURNen_US
dc.subjectAerospace Engineeringen_US
dc.titleDevelopment and Evaluation of Space-Resilient Polymers: Additively Manufacturable Polymer- Lunar Regolith Composites and Shape Memory Deployable Space Structuresen_US
dc.typeMaster's Thesisen_US
dc.embargo.lengthMONTHS_WITHHELD:36en_US
dc.embargo.statusEMBARGOEDen_US
dc.embargo.enddate2028-07-31en_US
dc.contributor.committeeGururaja, Suhasini
dc.contributor.committeeSchulze, Kyle
dc.contributor.committeeTriggs, Eldon
dc.creator.orcid0009-0009-2120-6044en_US

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