Um LEVALUATION OF SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES FOR PLASTIC COMPONENT PRODUCTION IN MICROGRAVITY ENVIRONMENTS
Keywords:
microgravity, plastic injection molding, sustainable manufacturing, sintering, additive manufacturingAbstract
The manufacturing of plastic components in microgravity presents both challenges and opportunities for long-duration space missions, as conventional processes depend on gravity-driven mechanisms and require adaptation for orbital use. This study investigates the feasibility of applying plastic injection molding in microgravity, emphasizing its potential to transform recyclable polymers into functional components using in-space resources. Different mold fabrication approaches that enable reusability were explored, including ceramic-based molds, epoxy molds with 3D-printed counter-molds, and sintering processes that enhance material strength and mold durability. Injection molding was selected for its capability to produce complex geometries with minimal post-processing and potential scalability in orbital environments. The methodology integrates a comprehensive literature review on additive manufacturing, sintering, and injection molding with experimental validation through the fabrication of ASTM D638 Type IV tensile specimens. Test samples were manufactured via fused deposition modeling (FDM) using PLA filament and by injection molding with PLA pellets, allowing comparison of mechanical performance across different mold fabrication methods. Results indicate that injection-molded PLA exhibits higher stiffness and tensile strength, whereas 3D-printed specimens demonstrate greater ductility due to anisotropy and interlayer bonding effects. Additionally, sustainable mold-making alternatives such as aluminum casting with 3D-printed patterns, direct metal additive manufacturing, and hybrid strategies are discussed. The findings highlight the importance of reusability, material circularity, and reduced payload mass to enhance mission autonomy, contributing to sustainable manufacturing and autonomous polymer production in microgravity, reducing Earth dependency and improving mission resilience.
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