Synthetic materials

A Martian colony needs Synthetic Materials (plastics) for many purposes. An autonomous colony can only survive if the raw substances available on Mars. While it is very unlikely to find natural petroleum, one idea is the synthesis of organic material from carbon dioxide and water. Another possibility would be the discovery of Methane clathrates in the martian surface ice. Another is the synthesis of silicon based organic material.

The production of plastics requires more energy than most types of mining and separation, as demonstrated by the embodied energy concept. However, it may be achievable in useful quantities from the non edible biomass created by food production. The needed substances are in the Martian atmosphere: Carbon dioxide and water. So, with some additional energy it should be possible to make plastics from thin air. Basically, this is what plants do as well.

Useful molecules

Polyester

Production

Polyesterr is a synthetic polymer made of purified terephthalic acid (PTA) or its dimethyl ester dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and monoethylene glycol (MEG). With 18% market share of all plastic materials produced, it ranges third after polyethylene (33.5%)^{[citation needed]} and polypropylene (19.5%).

Oils and greases

Products

The selection of synthetic materials to produce and use should be subject to recycling considerations. The main use cases for synthetic materials are:

• Space suits cannot be manufactured without plastic materials. The lifetime of a space suit is limited and depends on the conditions to which it is subjected. Probably, the settlement might need a new space suit per person and year. (subject to discussion!!)

• Greenhouse walls and support structure(??)

• Digging machines work with hydraulic mechanisms. These usually use oils for their operations.

• Sealant for houses, pipes, bottles, etc.

• Tissue for clothing, linens and towels is made mainly from synthetic fibres. Although cotton and linen might be cheaper to produce.

• Pneumatics need elastic material for valves, gaskets, etc.

• Insulation for electric cables and pipes is usually produces from hydrocarbons.

• Hydrocarbons for plastics, oils, medicine, and many other products.

Needed synthetics

• Polyethylene
• Polycarbonates
• Polyvinyl chloride
• Nylon and polyester
• Epoxy resin
• Rubber

See also

• Reverse Water-Gas Shift Reaction

• Hydrocarbon synthesis