Glass And Ceramics From Lunar Materials

The possibilities of producing a variety of glass and ceramic products directly from lunar soil are discussed. These include glass fibres, glass wool, glass containers, formaed glass panels, fine grained glass-ceramics for tiles, pipes and electrical insulators. Anorthite can be melted to form windows and mirrors. Silica, alumina, magnesia can be fired singly or in combination to give bricks and refractories. The uniqueness of production in space is discussed and specific examples given.