Griffin Eslinger and Alexander Puckhaber Palmetto Scholars Academy North Charleston SC Description of Experiment Our experiment will compare the structural integrity of an iron bar oxidized in the presence of saltwater in microgravity to an iron ID: 341967
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Slide1
The Effect of Microgravity on the Oxidation of Iron Exposed to a Saltwater Solution
Griffin
Eslinger and Alexander
Puckhaber
Palmetto Scholars Academy
North Charleston, SCSlide2
Description
of
Experiment
Our
experiment will compare the structural integrity of an iron bar oxidized in the presence of saltwater in microgravity to an iron
bar
oxidized in the
presence and absence
of saltwater on Earth
.Slide3
Hypothesis
We
predict that the iron bar oxidized in microgravity will be weaker than the iron bar oxidized on Earth. Without gravity,
the surface
tension of the salt water will be
stronger. Stronger surface
tension in microgravity might make the oxidation process happen at a faster pace.Slide4
Materials
Experiment Materials
Type Two FME (Fluid Mixture Enclosure)
3.5% salt water solution
Iron tensile testing bar (9.5mm by 75mm by 2mm)
Testing Materials
Scanning electron microscope
Tensile testing machineSlide5
The FME
We are using a Type 2 FME for our experiment.
Here is a model of our setup.Slide6
Experimental Setup
We will be conducting four treatments for this experiment.
1) The space-based
experiment
h
as
water in the Type 2 FME container in microgravity.2) The same setup
will be used
but
in a
lab
(
classroom) on
E
arth
.
It h
as saltwater
and
the
Type 2
FME
container.
3)
The
s
ame
setup
will be implemented
without
the saltwater.
It will
j
ust
have
the
bar in
a
Type 2
FME
. This will test for any corrosive effects of the actual FME on the iron testing bar. It will also give a baseline of corrosion under "normal" conditions within a contained environment.
4) The same as #2, but kept in the open, to see what corrosion might happen in an open environment.Slide7
Experiment Timeline & Observations
On
the day
that
the experiment arrives on the space station, one of the astronauts will release the clamp on the
Type 2
FME. The salt water solution will make contact with the bar, and the oxidation process will begin.
When
we get the FME back, we will
examine the iron bar. The iron bar will
be pulled apart by a tensile testing
machine to test its structural integrity
and scanned with a
scanning electron
microscope to look for
any changes in the
crystal structure.Slide8
Why this Experiment is
Important
If we find that the iron bar oxidized in microgravity is significantly weaker than the iron bar oxidized on Earth, our findings could impact how engineers design space missions
.
Many
pressurized spacecraft are built with iron alloys. There would most likely be oxygen and water on the inside. If rust in microgravity causes iron to become weaker than expected, there might be a high potential for catastrophic failures.Slide9
Acknowledgments
Partners
Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR)
Center
for the Advancement of Science in Space (
CASIS)
National Center for Earth and Space Science EducationCollege of CharlestonMedical University of South Carolina (MUSC)National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Sponsors
ISHPI
CASIS
Palmetto Scholars Academy Board Members
Palmetto Scholars Academy Families
Thank you to the Partners and Sponsors who made this experiment possible:Slide10
Questions?