Difference between revisions of "Synthetic materials"

From Marspedia
Jump to: navigation, search
(plastics from thin air)
(11 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
A Martian colony needs '''Synthetic Materials''' for many purposes. An [[Equipment for autonomous growth|autonomous colony]] can only survive if the raw substances can be found on [[Mars]]. While it is very unlikely to find natural petroleum, one idea is the [[Hydrocarbon synthesis|synthesis of organic material]] from [[carbon dioxide]] and [[water]]. Another is the [[Silicone synthesis|synthesis of silicon based organic material]].
+
A Martian colony needs '''Synthetic Materials''' (plastics) for many purposes. An [[Equipment for autonomous growth|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 [[Hydrocarbon synthesis|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 [[Silicone synthesis|synthesis of silicon based organic material]].
  
Unlike the [[mining]] of [[:Category:Metal|metal ores]] the production of plastics requires much less technological effort. Basically, 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.
+
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.
  
The selection of synthetic materials to produce and use should be subject to [[recycling]] considerations. The main use cases for synthetic materials are:
+
==Useful molecules==
  
*[[Space suit]]s can not be manufactured without plastic material. The lifetime of a space suit is limited and depends on the conditions to which it is subjected. Probably, the colony needs a new space suit per person and year.  
+
===PE- Polyethylene===
 +
[[Polyethylene]] is the most common plastic material. It has a simple formulae of (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>)<sub>''n''</sub>  and consists basically of a chain of ethylene molecules.
  
*[[Greenhouse]] walls and support structure.  
+
====Production====
 +
Polyethylene is produced from [[Ethylene]] or Ethanol.  It could be produced in-situ on Mars and may be the first in-situ plastic produced.
  
*[[Digging machine]]s work with [[hydraulics|hydraulic mechanisms]].  
+
====Products====
 +
Polyethylene sheets on Mars might be use for greenhouses, vapor barriers in construction, sealants for structural assemblies and piping.  Polyethylene has a very low glass transition temperature<ref>https://omnexus.specialchem.com/polymer-properties/properties/glass-transition-temperature</ref> and might be used as a flexible sealant materials at lower temperatures than other plastics.
  
*Sealing of [[house]]s, pipes, bottles, etc.
+
===Pp- Polypropylene===
  
*Tissue for [[clothing]], linens and towels is made mainly from synthetic fibres.
+
====Production====
  
*[[Pneumatics]] need elastic material for valves, gaskets, etc.
+
====Products====
  
*[[Insulation]] for electric cables and pipes.
+
===Pe- Polyester===
  
*[[Hydrocarbons]] for [[plastics]], [[oils]], [[medicine]], and many other products.
+
====Production====
 +
[[w:Polyester|Polyester]] 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%)<sup>[''citation needed'']</sup> and polypropylene (19.5%).
 +
====Products====
 +
Polyester is often used in fiber form for the manufacture of fabrics.  It is also used for bottles, fils and electrical insulation.  Polyester reinforced with glass fibers is one of the common types of fiberglass material.  It is used as a protective coating for wood.
 +
 
 +
===PVC- Polyvinyl Chloride===
 +
 
 +
====Production====
 +
 
 +
====Products====
 +
PolyVinyl Chloride is commonly used for piping.
 +
 
 +
===PTFE- Polytetrafluoroethylene'''-'''Teflon===
 +
 
 +
====Production====
 +
'''PTFE''' is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene that has numerous applications. The best-known brand name of PTFE-based formulas is '''Teflon''' by Chemours.
 +
 
 +
PTFE is a fluorocarbon solid, as it is a high molecular weight compound consisting wholly of carbon and fluorine. PTFE is hydrophobic: neither water nor water-containing substances wet PTFE. PTFE has one of the lowest coefficients of friction of any solid.
 +
 
 +
====Products====
 +
PTFE is used as a non-stick coating for pans and other cookware. It is nonreactive, partly because of the strength of carbon–fluorine bonds, and so it is often used in containers and pipework for reactive and corrosive chemicals. Where used as a lubricant, PTFE reduces friction, wear, and energy consumption of machinery. It is commonly used as a graft material in surgical interventions. It is also frequently employed as coating on catheters; this interferes with the ability of bacteria and other infectious agents to adhere to catheters and cause hospital-acquired infections.
 +
 
 +
===Pa-Polyamide-Nylon===
 +
 
 +
====Production====
 +
 
 +
====Products====
 +
 
 +
===Latex===
 +
 
 +
====Production====
 +
 
 +
====Producs====
 +
 
 +
===Oils and greases===
 +
 
 +
====Production====
 +
 
 +
====Products====
 +
Hydraulic fluids, lubricants.
 +
 
 +
*
 +
*[[Space suit]]s 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.
 +
 
 +
*Sealant for [[house]]s, pipes, bottles, etc.
  
 +
*Tissue for [[clothing]], linens and towels is made mainly from synthetic fibres.  Although cotton and linen might be cheaper to produce.
  
== Needed synthetics ==
+
*[[Pneumatics]] need elastic material for valves, gaskets, etc.
*[[Polyethylene]]
 
*[[Polycarbonates]]
 
*[[Polyvinyl chloride]]
 
*[[Nylon]] and [[polyester]]
 
*[[Epoxy resin]]
 
*[[Rubber]]  
 
  
 +
*[[Hydrocarbons]] for [[plastics]], [[oils]], [[medicine]], and many other products.
 +
 +
==Recycling==
 +
The selection of synthetic materials to produce and use should be subject to [[recycling]] considerations. 
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 +
 
*[[Reverse Water-Gas Shift Reaction]]
 
*[[Reverse Water-Gas Shift Reaction]]
  
Line 37: Line 84:
 
{{SettlementIndex}}  
 
{{SettlementIndex}}  
  
 
+
[[Category:Resources and Manufacture]]
[[category:technology]]
 
[[category:concepts]]
 
[[category:settlements]]
 
[[category:material]]
 

Revision as of 10:50, 23 July 2019

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

PE- Polyethylene

Polyethylene is the most common plastic material. It has a simple formulae of (C2H4)n and consists basically of a chain of ethylene molecules.

Production

Polyethylene is produced from Ethylene or Ethanol. It could be produced in-situ on Mars and may be the first in-situ plastic produced.

Products

Polyethylene sheets on Mars might be use for greenhouses, vapor barriers in construction, sealants for structural assemblies and piping. Polyethylene has a very low glass transition temperature[1] and might be used as a flexible sealant materials at lower temperatures than other plastics.

Pp- Polypropylene

Production

Products

Pe- Polyester

Production

Polyester 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%).

Products

Polyester is often used in fiber form for the manufacture of fabrics. It is also used for bottles, fils and electrical insulation. Polyester reinforced with glass fibers is one of the common types of fiberglass material. It is used as a protective coating for wood.

PVC- Polyvinyl Chloride

Production

Products

PolyVinyl Chloride is commonly used for piping.

PTFE- Polytetrafluoroethylene-Teflon

Production

PTFE is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene that has numerous applications. The best-known brand name of PTFE-based formulas is Teflon by Chemours.

PTFE is a fluorocarbon solid, as it is a high molecular weight compound consisting wholly of carbon and fluorine. PTFE is hydrophobic: neither water nor water-containing substances wet PTFE. PTFE has one of the lowest coefficients of friction of any solid.

Products

PTFE is used as a non-stick coating for pans and other cookware. It is nonreactive, partly because of the strength of carbon–fluorine bonds, and so it is often used in containers and pipework for reactive and corrosive chemicals. Where used as a lubricant, PTFE reduces friction, wear, and energy consumption of machinery. It is commonly used as a graft material in surgical interventions. It is also frequently employed as coating on catheters; this interferes with the ability of bacteria and other infectious agents to adhere to catheters and cause hospital-acquired infections.

Pa-Polyamide-Nylon

Production

Products

Latex

Production

Producs

Oils and greases

Production

Products

Hydraulic fluids, lubricants.

  • 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.
  • 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.

Recycling

The selection of synthetic materials to produce and use should be subject to recycling considerations.

See also

v · d · eManned Missions to Mars

Concepts: Greenhouse · Settlements · Locations · General
Hazards: Space Weather · Climate · General
Technology: Hi-Tech · Lo-Tech · Energy · Spaceflight science · Communication · General
Human Considerations: Economics · Health · Governance · Trade · Law · Social