Experimental investigation of drilling performance of PCD compact core drills on basalt simulating sustainable dry drilling on mars

S. Manthri, F. Pusavec, K. A. Zacny, L. A. Taylor, O. W. Dillon, I. S. Jawahir

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Missions to Mars aim to characterize rock and subsurface soil samples and possibly bring some back to Earth for more thorough and sophisticated examination. The Martian surface is known to be partially covered with basalt which has high compressive strength, and is more difficult to drill than the much softer sedimentary formations. The experiments were designed to study the tool-wear mechanisms and to understand the associated effects on drilling of basalt. Core drilling experiments were conducted under different cutting conditions on the Martian simulant, basalt. Thrust force and torque were monitored and drill-wear was measured for each drilling test condition for a series of successive depth-increments. Based on the experimental results an optimization model was developed for maximizing the drilling depth at minimum tool-wear. This preliminary work is expected to help the development of smart drills for sustainable dry drilling applications in future NASA missions to Mars. Keywords: Core drilling, PCD compact, Basalt, Sustainable dry drilling, Mars

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEarth and Space Conference 2008
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the 11th Aerospace Division International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008
EventEarth and Space Conference 2008: Proceedings of the 11th Aerospace Division International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments - Long Beach, CA, United States
Duration: Mar 3 2008Mar 5 2008

Publication series

NameEarth and Space Conference 2008: Proceedings of the 11th Aerospace Division International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments
Volume323

Conference

ConferenceEarth and Space Conference 2008: Proceedings of the 11th Aerospace Division International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLong Beach, CA
Period3/3/083/5/08

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Building and Construction
  • Environmental Engineering

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