title: Prediction of the mechanical properties of zeolite pellets for aerospace molecular decontamination applications.
abstract: Zeolite pellets containing 5 wt % of binder (methylcellulose or sodium metasilicate) were formed with a hydraulic press. This paper describes a mathematical model to predict the mechanical properties (uniaxial and diametric compression) of these pellets for arbitrary dimensions (height and diameter) using a design of experiments (DOE) methodology. A second-degree polynomial equation including interactions was used to approximate the experimental results. This leads to an empirical model for the estimation of the mechanical properties of zeolite pellets with 5 wt % of binder. The model was verified by additional experimental tests including pellets of different dimensions created with different applied pressures. The optimum dimensions were found to be a diameter of 10-23 mm, a height of 1-3.5 mm and an applied pressure higher than 200 MPa. These pellets are promising for technological uses in molecular decontamination for aerospace-based applications.
authors.affiliation: Université de Strasbourg (UDS), Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA), CNRS, Equipe Matériaux à Porosité Contrôlée (MPC), Institut de Science des Matériaux de Mulhouse (IS2M), UMR 7361, 3 bis rue Alfred Werner, F-68093 Mulhouse, France.
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rioland
authors.affiliation: Université de Strasbourg (UDS), Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA), CNRS, Equipe Matériaux à Porosité Contrôlée (MPC), Institut de Science des Matériaux de Mulhouse (IS2M), UMR 7361, 3 bis rue Alfred Werner, F-68093 Mulhouse, France.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dutournié
authors.affiliation: Service Laboratoires & Expertise, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), 18 avenue Edouard Belin, 31401 Toulouse Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Delphine
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Faye
authors.affiliation: Université de Strasbourg (UDS), Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA), CNRS, Equipe Matériaux à Porosité Contrôlée (MPC), Institut de Science des Matériaux de Mulhouse (IS2M), UMR 7361, 3 bis rue Alfred Werner, F-68093 Mulhouse, France.
authors.forename: T Jean
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Daou
authors.affiliation: Université de Strasbourg (UDS), Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA), CNRS, Equipe Matériaux à Porosité Contrôlée (MPC), Institut de Science des Matériaux de Mulhouse (IS2M), UMR 7361, 3 bis rue Alfred Werner, F-68093 Mulhouse, France.
authors.forename: Joël
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Patarin
keywords: design of experiments methodology; mechanical performance; molecular decontamination; operating optimums; zeolite pellets