[meteorite-list] Meteorwrongs

From: Joe Kerchner <skyrockmeteorites_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:32:50 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <98959.22227.qm_at_web43403.mail.sp1.yahoo.com>

Thanks Elton,
I appreciate all your help on this. I agree on it's uniqueness and its appeal, I am glad that everyone is happy with it, However I do disagree with 2 things you said below. The metal does rust if I dont dry it off after cutting and polishing them, also they are very strongly attracted to a magnet, more than most of my chondrites, even some of the H chondrites.
Best,
Joe Kerchner
http://illinoismeteorites.com



----- Original Message ----
From: MstrEman <mstreman at gmail.com>
To: Joe Kerchner <skyrockmeteorites at yahoo.com>
Sent: Thu, December 17, 2009 6:43:34 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Meteorwrongs

As one of the auxillary testers, let me recommend this meteorwrong
just from the aesthetics and uniqueness. This item is unique so far
as is know in that it contains armored clasts ( vs armored
chondrules). Some pieces show a series of "braided" veins of Iron
Carbide.

This caused quiet a stir as no one had seen this in any meteorite nor
natural ore and given the lack of rust one of the researchers
suspected a smelting artifact right off. The extremely low cobalt
nickel content(<3ppm), low REE and presence of silica aka quartz were
the key diagnostics.

The metal veins are in actuality iron carbide-- they are iridescent
and won't rust. Iron carbide can form when hot carbon monoxide gas is
forced through the charge containing martensite in some furnace
operations. The mineral name for iron carbide is cementite: Fe3C (or
Fe2C:Fe) Were this from a meteorite and containing Ni or Co then the
mineral name would be cohenite. Cementite is ferromagnetic accounting
for the weak to moderate attraction to a magnet.


Elton



      
Received on Thu 17 Dec 2009 11:32:50 PM PST