Sulphur Concrete - Revision history

RichardWSmith: /* Discussion */

2024-10-16T15:28:41Z

Discussion

RichardWSmith: /* Discussion */ This is x2 stronger than typical concrete.

2024-10-16T15:23:51Z

Discussion: This is x2 stronger than typical concrete.

RichardWSmith: /* Discussion */ grammar

2024-10-16T15:17:22Z

Discussion: grammar

RichardWSmith: Improved formatting. Added that sulphates are common on Mars.

2024-10-16T15:15:42Z

Improved formatting. Added that sulphates are common on Mars.

RichardWSmith: Added info

2024-10-16T15:11:14Z

Added info

RichardWSmith: New page.

2024-10-16T14:39:50Z

New page.

New page

Concrete is made of sand or larger particles bound together by some substance. Regular concrete will cure very slowly in the Martian CO<sub>2</sub> atmosphere.

This study: <ref>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0019103524001945#:~:text=Sulphur%20is%20a%20very%20promising,(i.e.%2C%20building%20blocks).</ref> talks about concrete using molten sulphur as the binder, in a CO<sub>2</sub> rich atmosphere.

Note that sulphur melts at 120 degrees C, so this should be quite doable with modest equipment, or even a solar thermal farm.

{{stub}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:28, 16 October 2024
Line 15:		Line 15:

	An important disadvantage of sulfur cement is that is is not fireproof. The sulfur used as binder can melt at higher temperatures, and may emit large amounts of smoke.		An important disadvantage of sulfur cement is that is is not fireproof. The sulfur used as binder can melt at higher temperatures, and may emit large amounts of smoke.
		+
		+	==References==

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 Waterless concrete can be produced from sulfur and regolith. Some applications have been found on Earth, in particular for conditions requiring acid protection.
-The ultimate strength and tensile strength was found to be best at a mixing ratio of 50% sulfur and 50% JSC Mars-1A regolith simulant sieved to a maximum particle size of 1 mm. The concrete was found to have a compression strength of > 50 MPa, a flexural strength of 1.75 MPa, and a splitting tensile strength of 3.9 MPa.
+The ultimate strength and tensile strength was found to be best at a mixing ratio of 50% sulfur and 50% JSC Mars-1A regolith simulant sieved to a maximum particle size of 1 mm. The concrete was found to have a compression strength of > 50 MPa, a flexural strength of 1.75 MPa, and a splitting tensile strength of 3.9 MPa.  This is approximately twice as strong as normal concrete.
 Utilizing sulfur-regolith concrete is possible on Mars, but not the Moon. On the moon, the concrete mass would be gradually lost due to sublimation of sulfur in vacuum, and the large temperature swings between lunar day and night which compromise the structure. Sulfur-regolith concrete is stable under Martian conditions and would not experience a loss in mass due to sublimation.

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 Utilizing sulfur-regolith concrete is possible on Mars, but not the Moon. On the moon, the concrete mass would be gradually lost due to sublimation of sulfur in vacuum, and the large temperature swings between lunar day and night which compromise the structure. Sulfur-regolith concrete is stable under Martian conditions and would not experience a loss in mass due to sublimation.
-Mars is considered a sulfur-rich planet (sulphates are common), but it in unclear where sulfur may be.  Elemental sulphur has been found in only tiny amounts. It is expected that processing of raw materials will be needed before it is in a form suitable for the production of sulfur concrete.
+Mars is considered a sulfur-rich planet (sulphates are common), but it in unclear where rich sulphur deposits may be.  Elemental sulphur has been found in only tiny amounts.  It is expected that processing of raw materials will be needed before it is in a form suitable for the production of sulfur concrete.
 An important disadvantage of sulfur cement is that is is not fireproof. The sulfur used as binder can melt at higher temperatures, and may emit large amounts of smoke.

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 This study: <ref>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0019103524001945#:~:text=Sulphur%20is%20a%20very%20promising,(i.e.%2C%20building%20blocks).</ref> talks about concrete using molten sulphur as the binder, in a CO<sub>2</sub> rich atmosphere.
 Note that sulphur melts at 120 degrees C, so this should be quite doable with modest equipment, or even a solar thermal farm.
-Waterless concrete can be produced from sulfur and regolith[1]. Some applications have been found on Earth, in particular for conditions requiring acid protection.
+Waterless concrete can be produced from sulfur and regolith. Some applications have been found on Earth, in particular for conditions requiring acid protection.
 The ultimate strength and tensile strength was found to be best at a mixing ratio of 50% sulfur and 50% JSC Mars-1A regolith simulant sieved to a maximum particle size of 1 mm. The concrete was found to have a compression strength of > 50 MPa, a flexural strength of 1.75 MPa, and a splitting tensile strength of 3.9 MPa.
 Utilizing sulfur-regolith concrete is possible on Mars, but not the Moon. On the moon, the concrete mass would be gradually lost due to sublimation of sulfur in vacuum, and the large temperature swings between lunar day and night which compromise the structure. Sulfur-regolith concrete is stable under Martian conditions and would not experience a loss in mass due to sublimation.
-Mars is considered a sulfur-rich planet, but it in unclear where sulfur may be and if it is present in a form suitable for the production of sulfur concrete.
 An important disadvantage of sulfur cement is that is is not fireproof. The sulfur used as binder can melt at higher temperatures, and may emit large amounts of smoke.

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:11, 16 October 2024
Line 5:		Line 5:
	Note that sulphur melts at 120 degrees C, so this should be quite doable with modest equipment, or even a solar thermal farm.		Note that sulphur melts at 120 degrees C, so this should be quite doable with modest equipment, or even a solar thermal farm.

−	~~{{stub}}~~	+	Waterless concrete can be produced from sulfur and regolith[1]. Some applications have been found on Earth, in particular for conditions requiring acid protection.
		+
		+	The ultimate strength and tensile strength was found to be best at a mixing ratio of 50% sulfur and 50% JSC Mars-1A regolith simulant sieved to a maximum particle size of 1 mm. The concrete was found to have a compression strength of > 50 MPa, a flexural strength of 1.75 MPa, and a splitting tensile strength of 3.9 MPa.
		+	Utilizing sulfur-regolith concrete is possible on Mars, but not the Moon. On the moon, the concrete mass would be gradually lost due to sublimation of sulfur in vacuum, and the large temperature swings between lunar day and night which compromise the structure. Sulfur-regolith concrete is stable under Martian conditions and would not experience a loss in mass due to sublimation.
		+	Mars is considered a sulfur-rich planet, but it in unclear where sulfur may be and if it is present in a form suitable for the production of sulfur concrete.
		+	An important disadvantage of sulfur cement is that is is not fireproof. The sulfur used as binder can melt at higher temperatures, and may emit large amounts of smoke.