The Effect of Microgravity on the Oxidation of Iron Exposed to a Saltwater

Solution

Griffin Eslinger and Alexander Puckhaber

Palmetto Scholars AcademyNorth Charleston, SC

Description of ExperimentOur 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.

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.

Materials Experiment Materials1. Type Two FME (Fluid Mixture Enclosure)2. 3.5% salt water solution3. Iron tensile testing bar (9.5mm by 75mm by

2mm)

Testing Materials4. Scanning electron microscope5. Tensile testing machine

The FME We are using a Type 2 FME for our

experiment.Here is a model of our setup.

Experimental Setup We will be conducting four treatments for this

experiment.1) The space-based experiment has water in the

Type 2 FME container in microgravity.2) The same setup will be used but in a lab

(classroom) on Earth. It has saltwater and the Type 2 FME container.

3) The same setup will be implemented without the saltwater. It will just 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.

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 willexamine the iron bar. The iron bar will be pulled apart by a tensile testing machine to test its structural integrityand scanned with a scanning electron microscope to look for any changes in the crystal structure.

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.

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 Education• College of Charleston• Medical 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:

Questions?