Commercial use of materials processing in spaceThe paper examines the scientific and commercial aspects of Materials Processing in the Space program. The elimination of gravity driven convection in molten materials can preclude undesirable stirring and mixing during crystal growth, and improve the casting of alloys and composites, chemical reactions, and the separation of biological materials. The elimination of hydrostatic pressure will allow alloy heat-treatment without distortion and growth of heavy crystals, such as thorium oxide, and containerless processing of liquids and molten materials. On the other hand, more sophisticated process control and diagnostic methods in sample preparation and temperature control must be developed, concluding that space made products of commercial interest are likely to be low volume, high value items.
Document ID
19800032256
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Zoller, L. K. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Brown, R. L. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, Ala., United States)