ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | SEPTEMBER 2024 7 called cross-rolling is another key to achieving the exceptional combination of strength and ductility. Working together with ATI researchers, the team tested a variety of alloys under a scanning electron microscope as they were being deformed, revealing details of how their microstructures respond to external mechanical load. They discovered that there was a particular set of parameters— composition, proportions, and processing method—that yielded a structure where the alpha and beta phases shared the deformation uniformly, mitigating the cracking tendency that is likely to occur between the phases when they respond differently. The analysis and experimental results of the new design approach provide guidance for producing materials that meet the needs of specified applications. mit.edu. MAKING SPACE BRICKS WITH MICROWAVES Researchers at the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) developed a new method for producing construction materials using in-situ resources from the moon. Utilizing microwave sintering, the research team produced blocks from lunar regolith—the moon’s surface soil and its most readily available in-situ resource. When using microwaves to heat lunar regolith, localized hot and cold spots can form. These spots lead to localized thermal runaway, hindering uniform heating and sintering. To address this, the researchers established a stepwise heating method with specific temperature and dwell time. Another challenge the team addressed was lunar regolith’s inherent volatile substances, including water. Heating these volatile materials can cause internal cracks during sintering. The researchers mitigated crack formation by using preheated lunar regolith simulant under vacuum conditions at 250°C. To assess the completeness of sintered blocks intended for construction materials, researchers core-drilled the resulting blocks at specific locations within the material. The average density, porosity, and compressive strength of the core-drilled samples were approximately 2.11 g/cm , 29.23%, and 13.66 MPa, respectively. The corresponding standard deviations were 0.03, 1.01, and 1.76, confirming the homogeneity of the sintered blocks. The team’s next step is to validate this technology in space environments. www.kict.re.kr. Space brick shown via photography (le ) and x-ray CT scan (right). Courtesy of KICT. STAY AHEAD OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY WITH ASM EDUCATION & TRAINING. EARN CEUs, ENJOY DISCOUNTS, NETWORK, AND LEARN FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTS. SCAN TO ENROLL TODAY Education
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