Growth of hematite by surface oxidation of olivine
The oxidation of natural olivine has previously been performed on bulk samples and the reactions followed by preparation of TEM specimens from the annealed material. These results show that below ∼1000°C hematite and amorphous silica are formed, particularly around dislocations. At higher temperatures magnetite and some enstatite-like phase are formed. In both cases the olivine is left almost totally Fe depleted. By performing the oxidation on characterized thin TEM specimens it is possible to obtain more information on the nucleation and growth of the second phases formed. The conditions in a thin foil, however, are very different from those in the bulk especially with regard to surface effects. The nucleation of precipitates in particular may be expected to occur differently in these thin foils than in the bulk.TEM specimens of natural olivine (approximate composition Mg+Fe+Si2o4) which had been annealed at 1000°C for 1 hr were prepared by mechanical polishing and dimpling, followed by Ar ion milling to perforation. The specimens were characterized in the electron microscope and then heated in air in alumina boats to 900°C for between 30 and 180 minutes.