Regolith-Induced Abrasion as a Critical Challenge for Lunar Materials: Experimental Insights on Fiber Reinforced Composites and Polyethylene
Marta BALESTRA, Susanna LAURENZI, Andrea DI BENEDETTO, Antonia SIMONE
Abstract Abrasion caused by lunar regolith is a critical challenge for future exploration missions. The highly angular, sharp-edged particles of lunar dust can severely degrade mechanical systems, protective fabrics, and structural materials. This study focuses on the laboratory characterization of material degradation under three-body abrasion, which accurately represents the abrasive conditions caused by lunar regolith. Using a Taber Abraser equipped with a Grit Feeder and LHS-1 lunar highland simulant, the research compares the abrasion behavior of fiber-reinforced composites and polyethylene-based materials. By defining a Dust Wear Index (DWI) in terms of mass and thickness loss due to abrasion, the study establishes a framework for evaluating abrasion resistance of both classes of materials.
Keywords
Abrasion, Lunar Dust, Regolith, Taber Abraser, Grit Feeder, Wear Index
Published online 7/20/2026, 5 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Marta BALESTRA, Susanna LAURENZI, Andrea DI BENEDETTO, Antonia SIMONE, Regolith-Induced Abrasion as a Critical Challenge for Lunar Materials: Experimental Insights on Fiber Reinforced Composites and Polyethylene, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 69, pp 1255-1259, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904251-217
The article was published as article 217 of the book CEAS – AIDAA Conference 2025
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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