The influence of lunar regolith simulant selected functional properties of polymeric materials used in FFF technology

Space exploration, due to transportation limitations, seeks solutions to the use of materials and raw materials found in situ. This allows reducing the mass sent into space and provides an opportunity to verify the application sweats. The purpose of this research was to try to use a lunar regolith simulant as a filler in a raw material used in 3D printing technology. The qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the simulant have a direct impact on the possibility of processing from bulk to filament form to produce real objects. The fabricated samples were used to analyze the structure and basic mechanical properties. The results of the tested elements were characterized by high repeatability. Young’s modulus decreased by 25% relative to virgin ABS, while tensile strength decreased by nearly 50%.