📝 SummarXiv

Abstract

The future of space exploration and human settlement beyond Earth hinges on a deeper understanding of in space manufacturing processes. The unique physical conditions and scarcity of experimental data demand robust computational models to investigate the atomic scale physics of solidification. This work presents a molecular dynamics (MD) model to examine the solidification behavior of the Al Cu binary alloy, focusing on the influence of varying compositions and gravity levels (Earth, Lunar, Martian, and microgravity) on atomistic solidification mechanisms and the resulting mechanical properties specifically, hardness of as solidified nanostructures. Hardness is evaluated via nanoindentation simulations. The study confirms that gravitational forces significantly affect the solidification pathways of Al Cu alloys. Notably, by tuning alloy composition, the influence of gravity can be modulated and in some cases, even reversed. Moreover, hardness exhibits a coupled dependence on both composition and gravity, offering a promising avenue for bottom-up design of components tailored for extraterrestrial environments. The article delves into the nanoscale physical mechanisms underlying these phenomena and outlines future directions for extending this modeling framework to broader applications.