Constraints on the ice composition of carbonaceous chondrites from their magnetic mineralogy

Carbonaceous chondrites experienced varying degrees of aqueous alteration on their parent asteroids, which influenced their mineralogies, textures, and bulk chemical and isotopic compositions. Although this alteration was a crucial event in the history of these meteorites, their various alteration pathways are not well understood. One phase that formed during this alteration was magnetite, and its morphology and abundance vary between and within chondrite groups, providing a means of investigating chondrite aqueous alteration. We measured bulk magnetic properties and first-order reversal curve (FORC) diagrams of CM, CI, CO, and ungrouped C2 chondrites to identify the morphology and size range of magnetite present in these meteorites. We identify two predominant pathways of aqueous alteration among these meteorites that can be distinguished by the resultant morphology of magnetite. In WIS 91600, Tagish Lake, and CI chondrites, magnetite forms predominantly from Fe-sulfides as framboids and stacked plaquettes. In CM and CO chondrites, <0.1 μm single-domain (SD) magnetite and 0.1–5 μm vortex (V) state magnetite formed predominantly via the direct replacement of metal and Fe-sulfides. After ruling out differences in temperature, water:rock ratios, terrestrial weathering effects, and starting mineralogy, we hypothesise that the primary factor controlling the pathway of aqueous alteration was the composition of the ice accreted into each chondrite group’s parent body. Nebula condensation sequences predict that the most feasible method of appreciably evolving ice concentrations was the condensation of ammonia, which will have formed a more alkaline hydrous fluid upon melting, leading to fundamentally different conditions that may have caused the formation of different magnetite morphologies. As such, we suggest that WIS 91600, Tagish Lake, and the CI chondrites accreted past the ammonia ice line, supporting a more distal or younger accretion of their parent asteroids.

New Hybrid Polyurea-Polyurethane Elastomers with Antistatic Properties and an Influence of Various Additives on Their Physicochemical Properties

Polyurea is a synthetic high-strength elastomeric material that can be sprayed as a coating over existing structures in order to protect against weathering effects. It is ideal for anti-corrosion protection and is characterized by excellent mechanical properties and adhesion to various surfaces. Further development of this technology may allow obtaining new coatings with improved antistatic properties, which would be an excellent alternative compared to used antistatic epoxy paints. This paper will examine the influence of tetraalkylammonium salt (1), potassium hexafluorophosphate solution (2) and imidazolium-based ionic liquid (3) on the improvement of antistatic properties of the polyurea-polyurethane coatings. In addition, the modified samples were also verified in terms of changes in mechanical properties and the appearance of functional groups other than in the reference sample, as well as surface defects that may arise due to incompatibility of the antistatic additive with the polymer matrix. In order to obtain information about the properties mentioned above, the electrical resistance was determined, the tensile strength and elongation were measured, FT-IR spectra were made, and images were taken with the use of scanning electron microscopy. The conducted research showed that the antistatic properties of the tested hybrid coatings could be improved, but their use may be associated with certain limitations that should be taken into account when designing such materials.

Rigorous light-scattering simulations of space-weathering effects on reflectance spectra

&lt;p&gt;We present a multi-scale light-scattering model that is capable of simulating the reflectance spectra of a regolith layer. In particular, the model can be applied to a case where the regolith grains have varying amounts of nanophase inclusions due to space weathering of the material. As different simulation tools are employed for different size scales of the target geometry (roughly, nano-, micro-, and millimeter scales), the particle size effects, the surface reflections, and the volume scattering can all be properly accounted for. Our results with olivine grains and nanophase iron inclusions verify the role of the nanoinclusions in the reflectance spectra of space-weathered materials. Together with the simulation results, we give simplified explanations for the space-weathering effects based on light scattering, namely the decrease of albedo, the general increase of the red spectral slope, and the dampening of the spectral bands. We also consider the so-called ultraviolet bluing effect and show how the change in the spectral slope over the ultraviolet-visual wavelengths is due to the decrease of reflectance in the visual wavelengths rather than the increase of reflectance in the ultraviolet part.&lt;/p&gt;

Weathering effects on engineering properties of Schist of Menderes Massif, West of Turkey

Schist is a metamorphic rock type that is widely exposed in the Western Anatolia. Schist of Menderes Massif is located in different locations and geological levels. The rock is mainly used as a filling and building material in the present and in foreseeable future. Usage of schist as filling materials in dams is related with their weathering degree which affects their geomechanical properties. To determinate the petrographic, chemical, index and engineering properties of the schist used as filler material in the dams/small dam crest, fresh and weathered samples of rock material were collected from quarries. The relationship between the weathering degree index and engineering properties were determined by simple regression analyses’. The results show that the studied parameters of physical and mechanical properties of the studied schist have a positive correction with weathering grade. Thus, increasing weathering grade affects the durability of the schist thereby compromising its applicability.

EFFECT OF ARTIFICIAL WEATHERING ON PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF WOOD

ABSTRACT When wood is exposed outdoors, a combination of chemical and mechanical factors and solar radiation contribute to what is described as weathering, being the main degradation agent in this environment. This paper aims to investigate the effect of artificial weathering on mechanical and physical properties of Eucalyptus sp. and Cupiúba (Goupia glabra) woods simulating natural weathering effects. Samples were aged in UV radiation chamber with humidity and temperature control for 100, 200, 300 and 400 hours, considering aging cycles according to ASTM G154 (2006). Wood properties investigated were Conventional value of strength in static bending (fM), Modulus of elasticity in static bending (EM), strength in compression parallel to grain (fc0) and Janka Hardness (fH) according to ABNT NBT 7190 (1997). Effects of artificial weathering on wood properties were evaluated by statistical analysis at 5% significance level. Most of the wood properties investigated did not present significant changes with the aging performed, however, it was noted a decrease in the absolute values of the wood properties absolute values during the aging process. Only fH of Cupiúba wood aged for 100 and 200 hours presented significative performance loss at the significance level considered, which can be related to changes on the wood surface due to weathering exposure.