Design and Analysis of Tungsten Carbide Ceramic Coating for Lunar Regolith Damage Mi

Miquela Smith
Caleb Thompson
Justin Astacio
Maximus Mendez
Tristian Ahuna Sr.
Zeba Momin
Kristen Sanchez-Ramirez
Joanna Fnu
Avi Waghraya
Abigail Meyers
Luizandrei Galanida

Abstract

Lunar regolith damage continues to be a relevant concern as NASA’s Artemis Program plans to send a Human Lander System (HLS) to the South Pole of the Moon with the hopes of establishing a permanent Moon base. This paper details key considerations including the material properties, processing methods, and surface microstructure modifications leading to the design of a coating configuration ideal for mitigating the damaging effects of lunar regolith to critical damage zones. The coating solution presented here incorporates Tungsten Carbide (WC) to enhance abrasion and scratch resistance and the Lotus Leaf effect to minimize dust adhesion by improving surface energy. The Lotus leaf effect refers to the properties of the Lotus leaf surface containing nano structures that allow the surface to mitigate dust accumulation by increasing its hydrophobic nature. This principle is replicated to engineered coatings to resist dust buildup on the surface. Based on the mission assumptions, the coating was analyzed to assess weight and cost impact and recommended for application to the lander’s ladder, undercarriage, and external airlock door. Testing methods and parameters were identified for the coating performance assessments to be pursued in future work. The coating proposed here will extend the life of a reusable human lander, mitigating the anticipated high concentration zones of lunar regolith damage on the undercarriage's surfaces and contributing to the successful development of a moonbase.

 

Design and Analysis of Tungsten Carbide Ceramic Coating for Lunar Regolith Damage Mi

Lunar regolith damage continues to be a relevant concern as NASA’s Artemis Program plans to send a Human Lander System (HLS) to the South Pole of the Moon with the hopes of establishing a permanent Moon base. This paper details key considerations including the material properties, processing methods, and surface microstructure modifications leading to the design of a coating configuration ideal for mitigating the damaging effects of lunar regolith to critical damage zones. The coating solution presented here incorporates Tungsten Carbide (WC) to enhance abrasion and scratch resistance and the Lotus Leaf effect to minimize dust adhesion by improving surface energy. The Lotus leaf effect refers to the properties of the Lotus leaf surface containing nano structures that allow the surface to mitigate dust accumulation by increasing its hydrophobic nature. This principle is replicated to engineered coatings to resist dust buildup on the surface. Based on the mission assumptions, the coating was analyzed to assess weight and cost impact and recommended for application to the lander’s ladder, undercarriage, and external airlock door. Testing methods and parameters were identified for the coating performance assessments to be pursued in future work. The coating proposed here will extend the life of a reusable human lander, mitigating the anticipated high concentration zones of lunar regolith damage on the undercarriage's surfaces and contributing to the successful development of a moonbase.