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Importance of Meteoritic Materials in Assessing the Influence of Microgravity on Solidification

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2011

P. Z. Budka
Affiliation:
Technical Communications Unlimited, 1013 State St., Schenectady, NY 12307
F. F. Milillo
Affiliation:
Union College, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Schenectady, NY 12308
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Abstract

A new hypothesis is presented which proposes that major microstructural features of many meteorites are products of non-equilibrium solidification under microgravity conditions. These materials exhibit microstructural features both similar to and different from materials produced on Earth. Evidence is given to show that the differences can be attributed to microgravity solidification while the similarities can be attributed to nonequilibrium solidification. This hypothesis leads to a new interpretation of the formation mechanism for the Widmanstatten structure commonly observed in meteoritic nickel-iron alloys. Several meteorite synthesis experiments are suggested to test the hypothesis. The hypothesis implies that the study of meteoritic materials can lead to a deeper understanding of microgravity solidification; conversely, the principles of microgravity solidification can lead to insights into meteorite formation.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1987

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References

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