Developing pulverous polymer composite materials based on lunar regolith simulant

The paper presents results of ground-based studies into development of highly filled powdered polymer compounds (HFPPC) based on three fractions of basalt powder - a lunar regolith simulant - and thermoplastic polymer binder powder. It discusses the issues of obtaining, fractioning and analyzing original components, determining their characteristics and results of studies into the structure and physical and mechanical properties of obtained HFPPCs in their original, compacted and pressed states. It provides an analysis of obtained results and draws conclusions about the further needed exploratory research into obtaining and processing HFPPC under microgravity conditions.