Epsilon carbide: a low-temperature component of interplanetary dust particles

Journal Article · Fri Dec 23 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.222.4630.1327· OSTI ID:5274128

Christoffersen, R; Buseck, P R

Transmission electron microscope study of a chondritic interplanetary dust particle has revealed the presence of epsilon iron-nickel carbide, a low temperature carbide previously encountered only in metallurgical studies. In these studies epsilon-carbide was synthesized by carburization of iron or nickel grains in a stream of carbon monoxide or carbon monoxide plus hydrogen. Similar carburization of an iron-nickel metal in situ may have produced epsilon-carbide during particle heating on atmospheric entry or in solar orbit. Alternatively, the epsilon-carbide may be a by-product of Fischer-Tropsch reactions in the solar nebula. Such reactions have been proposed as the mechanism of hydrocarbon formation in the early solar system. 18 references, 1 figure.

• Research Organization: Arizona State Univ., Tempe
• OSTI ID: 5274128
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 222; ISSN SCIEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640104 -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Solar Phenomena
640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CARBIDES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CHONDRITES
COSMIC DUST
DUSTS
INTERPLANETARY SPACE
IRON CARBIDES
IRON COMPOUNDS
METEORITES
NICKEL CARBIDES
NICKEL COMPOUNDS
ORIGIN
SOLAR SYSTEM
SPACE
STONE METEORITES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS