B4C-Al Metal Matrix Composites for Extreme Space Environments

Extreme space environments such as space vacuum, radiation, thermal extremes and cycles, jagged lunar dust, microgravity, micrometeoroids and orbit debris (MMOD), thrust plume ejecta, and their synergistically-adverse effects are difficult challenges for safe and sustainable space exploration to outer planets and satellites. Prolonged space radiation exposure embrittles materials and structures and abrasive jagged dust particles aggressively wear and erode moving parts leading to premature failure. To counter or even alleviate such potential failures, robust and exceptional materials are needed to make NASA missions including Artemis program sustainable with minimum service and repair needs. This study reports that boron-containing inclusion, B4C, can improve wear resistance and radiation shielding/resistance of aluminum alloy (Al6061) significantly to extend the service life in extreme space environments. With increasing B4C inclusions, the tensile strength increased up to 20 vol% at both room temperature and an elevated temperature (200˚C) while thermal conductivity decreased gradually as a function of B4C concentration. The neutron shielding effectiveness increased more than 110 times when 50 vol% B4C is incorporated in Al6061 when compared with the pristine Al6061. The shielding effectiveness under galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and solar particle events (SPE) was also studied computationally using on-line tool for the assessment of radiation in space (OLTARIS). By adding B4C, the adverse effect caused by secondary radiation through the Al6061 matrix was effectively suppressed to improve the shielding effectiveness against GCR and SPE. The presence of boron in B4C was the main reason for the enhanced radiation shielding capability against neutron, GCR, and SPE environments.